What we’re looking here is new technology coming to Los Angeles on the cusp of a new century. This was Los Angeles’ first telephone pay station which opened at 228 S. Spring St in downtown Los Angeles, which was the original home to the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company. This photo was taken in 1899 when the first telephone line between San Francisco and LA had just opened, allowing Angelenos to call San Francisco for 50 cents a minute, which is roughly the equivalent of about $15 a minute today.

** UPDATE ** – John W on Facebook says: “This is the Sunset Telephone Company’s facility at 1320 South Hope Street.” Every other reference to this photo put it at 228 S. Spring St, so I’ll have to dig a little deeper.

The telephone company building has now been replaced by a somewhat colorful parking structure. This image is from February 2023.