Until I posted a photo last December of a lit Christmas tree outside the May Co. department store on Wilshire Blvd in 1963, I didn’t know those decorative trees had even existed. Similarly, until I found this photo of giant Easter Bunnies outside Desmond’s department store at 5514 Wilshire Blvd, I didn’t know they existed either. I couldn’t find a date on this photo, and it might have been just a one-off Easter promotion for the store, which shared a building with Silverwoods, whose sign we can see in the background. But seeing as how today is Good Friday, I thought it an appropriate photo for today. Happy Easter everybody!
** UPDATE ** – This photo is from 1947, and was taken by Bob Landry for LIFE Magazine.
Andie B says: “The Easter bunnies were still in use in the early fifties. They also did Halloween decorations besides the Christmas/New Year. I think it was a “Miracle Mile” thing.”
The Desmond’s building (built in 1929, it’s known as the Wilshire Tower) is still around and still looks largely the same, but appears to be empty. This image is from March 2021.
Why are there so many great historic buildings in your city sitting empty just waiting for the wrecking ball? Why not turn the insides into lofts or something and preserve the beautiful exteriors for all of us to enjoy? You know that sooner than later these historic fine buildings are going the way Norma Desmonds house went and people in LA just can’t let that happen!!!