Here we have a rather grand aerial of what was the first of many incarnations of the movie studios at 9336 W. Washington Blvd in Culver City. This photo is from 1918, which is the year Thomas Ince built them. He owned them until his death in 1924, when they became the (Cecil B.) DeMille Studios. In the bottom center of the photo you can see the iconic administration building, which is most recognizable to moviegoers when David O. Selznick took over the lot in 1935 and used it as part of his logo. These days, it’s now called the Culver Studios, which were recently taken over by Amazon. But my goodness, look at all that empty land to the south!
This is what that area looked like in January 2020. Obviously, every square foot of that empty land is now well and truly accounted for.
Wow, really cool, Martin! I grew up a little bit outside the right side of that photo. The house I grew up in wasn’t built until 1952, it was a long time in the future from this shot.
The first time I drove past the Selznick building, I almost wrecked my car. I had no idea it still existed and seeing it was as close to a movie coming to life as I’d experienced.
Also interesting to note the absence of the Culver Hotel, which wouldn’t arrive until 1924.
Ha! I’ve seen it all my life, so it’s just kind of background to me. ?