In a funny sort of way, this photo seems to encapsulate Los Angeles of the 1930s: Stunning architecture providing a picturesque backdrop for gas pumps at a filling station. In this case, we’re looking at the stunning St. Vincent’s Church on the corner of West Adams Blvd and S. Figueroa Street, just south of downtown Los Angeles and north of the University of Southern California campus. This photo is from 1934.

The church is still there, but the gas station is now a mini mall anchored by a Popeyes. However, there is a gas station across the street from the mall, so in theory you could still take a similar photo today. This image is from May 2022.