Here we have a classic case of “Out with the old, in with the new.” In the late 1950s, Los Angeles city planners decided it was time to clear out the old and rundown Victorian houses on the Bunker Hill section of downtown, lower the height of the hill, and redevelop the whole area. It was a huge project that took a number of years, but this image pretty much sums it up: the last of the Victorian mansions is hauled past the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the first of the three large theaters that make up the Music Center. It opened in September 27, 1964, so I’m guessing this photo dates to around then.
Here is another, wider shot taken the same day.
I guess everyone who subscribes to this blog knows by now that I lived on Bunker Hill when I was young. You may not know that we owned the Castle, the house seen in both of the photos above. The other house was known as the Salt Box which was owned by my granduncle. They were moved to become the founding buildings of Heritage Square where arsonists soon burned them down. I loved that old house. Another family tragedy.
Hey Gordon, I wondered if I’d hear from you with this photo. You were the first thing I thought of when I saw it!
Hey, Martin
I was looking for a photo and when I saw this post I thought I’d add to Gordon’s info above (which of course he also knows) and give you the approx date of this photo. The Castle and The Salt Box are seen here in March 1969 as they were moved to the future site of Heritage Square. Vagrants burned them down that October.