When Universal Studios moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1915, the studio development – Universal City – was so large that it qualified for its own US Post Office. That’s the building on the left we can see in this photo. On the right is a place I’ve never encountered before, Universal Café. It was run by someone called Curley Robinson, who apparently was a small-time gangster who specialized in pinball and slot machines, so Universal Café sounds a bit shifty if you ask me. That’s circa 1929 Ford Model A parked out front so I’m guessing this photo is circa 1930s.

** UPDATE ** – Kevin C says: “The building on the left is NOT the post office, that’s the original Administration building which had Carl Laemmle’s office. You can see the stained glass Universal logo above the entry door. The post office was in another building, and later re-opened across the street where it still remains today.”

He then sent me the color postcard below and said: “The administration building (r), the offices under the flag would have had other aspects of the studio and is probably where the mail room and post office would have been located back then. Carl Laemmle also had his own postage stamp, not issued by the post office, but his studio for important mail that was essential right away delivery that moment within the studio property. All of these buildings (in the top photo) were replaced by the Black Tower.