We tend to forget (or at least I do) that in the early days of radio (the 1920s and 30s) there were all sorts of radio stations set up by all sorts of businesses and organizations that you’d never get would have or want or need a radio station. This one is a good example. It was the studio for radio LMPC, which stood for the McMillan Petroleum Company, although why a company like that would need or want a radio station is beyond me. And apparently they agreed because in 1933, it was sold to the Beverly Hills Broadcasting Corporation, which made sense because this building stood at 9631 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills. But even *they* couldn’t make a go of it until June of 1934 when it was sold to a Detroit businessman who took on some well-known partners: Bing Crosby, (orchestra leader) Paul Whiteman, Amos and Andy, and silent film comedian, Harold Lloyd, which is when they dubbed their radio station “KMPC – the Station of the Stars.”
KMPC was housed in charming building a couple of blocks west of Rodeo Dr, but sadly it’s no longer around. This image is from December 2022.
WOW! What a significant difference!
Old Hollywood is classic Hollywood. Love the old radio broadcast stations, particularly the now and then pictures! Some of the old broadcast towers are still around, though. Thanks for the memories, from an old radio DJ.
Cool. I used to listen to KMPC on my CRYSTAL radio back in the day. It was 50,000 watts and the only station I could receive.