Looking at Schwab’s Pharmacy from across Vine St near the northeast corner of Hollywood Blvd intersection, Hollywood, circa early 1950s

Looking at Schwab's Pharmacy from across Vine St near the northeast corner of Hollywood Blvd intersection, Hollywood, circa early 1950sIt amazes me that I could be today years old when I learned that a branch of LA’s most famous pharmacy (Schwab’s) once stood next to LA’s most famous intersection (Hollywood and Vine) and I’ve never noticed it until I was reading Kathy Kikkert’s new book about neon signs in Hollywood. I was looking at a full-page color photo of the Equitable Building on the northeast corner or Hollywood and Vine and I spied with my little eye the left half of a red neon sign that said “Sch/PHAR.” My search led me to this photo from the very late 1940s or very early 1950s (the dark car in the foreground is a circa 1949 Pontiac.) I’m still not sure how I didn’t know there was a Schwab’s at Hollywood and Vine, but it’s always worthwhile to pay attention to the details!

This is the part of the photo that made me think “Wait. What? Is that a Schwab’s sign?”

Schwab's Pharmacy next to the American Airlines office on the northeast corner of Hollywood and Vine, Hollywood

This is Kathy’s marvelous book that just came out this month.

Hollywood Signs by Kathy Kikkert

We can also see Schwab’s Hollywood Blvd in this photo of model Vikki Dougan, aka “The Back” when she was photographed at the corner of Hollywood and Vine by Ralph Crane for Life magazine, circa 1950s.

Model Vikki Dougan, aka The Back photographed at the corner of Hollywood and Vine by Ralph Crane for Life magazine, circa 1950s

We can see Schwab’s Pharmacy included in this very detailed map of Hollywood and Vine which I think is circa mid 1950s.

Detailed map of all the stores around Hollywood and Vine, circa mid 1950s

his is how the Equitable Building looked in August 2022.

 

 

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11 responses to “Looking at Schwab’s Pharmacy from across Vine St near the northeast corner of Hollywood Blvd intersection, Hollywood, circa early 1950s”

  1. Gordon Pattison says:

    Great find. Ironically I actually think I may prefer the present day view of the building without all the signage covering the architectural details.

  2. Martin Pal says:

    Thanks for pointing out that new book! There’s a Schwab’s Menu currently listed on eBay that has these locations listed:

    HOLLYWOOD
    6255 Hollywood Blvd.
    8024 Sunset Blvd.

    BEVERLY HILLS
    401 N. Bedford Drive
    430 N. Roxbury

    • Here are the six locations I have compiled

      1. 8024 Sunset Blvd

      2. 9061 Santa Monica Blvd

      3. 401 N. Bedford Dr, Beverly Hills

      4. 430 N. Roxbury Dr, Beverly Hills

      5. 6255 Hollywood Blvd

      6. 317 N. Robertson Blvd (this may have purely been their admin office)

      • Martin Pal says:

        That 9061 Santa Monica Blvd. address would be to the right (east) of what is now Dan Tana’s restaurant (opened in 1964) and before that called Domenico’s Lucky Horseshoe Café.

  3. Clint Thetford says:

    What a cool photograph!
    I actually live in this building now.
    I purchased a loft space here about 4 years ago. Plus I’m a flight attendant for American Airlines. Now in my 39th year. It’s my understanding that American Airlines actually owned this building at one time. I proudly feel very connected to this photograph.
    Thank you Martin for sharing this photo with us.
    Clint

    • Wow, Clint you really ARE connected to this photo!

      • Clint Thetford says:

        Yes I most certainly am! I feel so inspired by living in this building along with its iconic location at Hollywood & Vine.
        I love all the wonderful photos that you post on here Martin.
        Thank you for all the hard work you put into your website.
        It is much appreciated from all of us.

  4. rich says:

    I used to live 6 blocks from the Hollywood Blvd Schwab’s. I had always assumed that it was THE famous drugstore where the celebs and wannabes hung out back in the day. Silly me, it was the one on Sunset…
    almost in Beverly Hills.

  5. Al Donnelly says:

    In the first image we can see the food stand that went up at the back end (east side) of the Equitable Bldg. where cars used to park. Just before you get to the Pantages side.

    • Al Donnelly says:

      Schwabs by Ivar linked (31 March 2013 post) above, but also found in a 1953 Christmas time version image (with the trees on display).

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