Here’s another reminder of how leafy and green and shady Pershing Square in the heart of downtown Los Angeles used to be. Look at all those people (all men, as far as I can see—where were the women? At home cooking and cleaning, I guess?) filling the park benches on each side of the walkway leading to the northwest corner. The darker brick building in the background is the Biltmore Hotel, which opened in 1923, so I’m pegging this photo as circa 1920s or 30s.
I think the auto-colorizer did a pretty good job of bringing this photo to life.
This is how that same view looked in April 2021. A little sparse in the leafy shade department, but the glorious Biltmore Hotel is still there.
Everyone loves that version of Pershing Square in the top photo and no one has liked any version since. Instead of trying to keep designing new versions, why don’t they just, to paraphrase a song from the L’il Abner musical, “Put it back the way it was.”
I had recently read something I did not know if true; I read that when the park was being destroyed…I mean redesigned…in the ’50s “some of the palms that were dug up were moved to brand-new Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise.”
We all wish they could put it back the way it was, but I’m guessing that would mean taking out the parking structure underneath, but that’s a whooooole other, bigger expense! I’ve heard from several sources that some of the greeny went to Disneyland. The timeline fits and they needed a lot of it, so I’d say it’s probably true.
A few years ago, my wife and I did a “stay-cation” by spending a night at the Biltmore, taking a cab after dinner to Staples Center to see a Clippers game, and then getting up early the next morning to have breakfast at the Pantry. Three Los Angeles landmarks in one stroke! The Biltmore was truly glorious.
Sounds like a grand time, Bill! I do love the Biltmore, but I’ve never thought to have a stay there like you did! I did have Christmas dinner there one year! I love the Biltmore’s Gallery Bar.