Here we have a Southern Pacific Interurban streetcar taking the curve at the intersection of Hill and 6th Sts, downtown Los Angeles. The photographer had his back to Pershing Square in what was probably very late 1946 or early 1947. We know that because the Paramount Theatre (323 W. 6th St) was playing the 1946 Christmas release “Cross My Heart” starring Betty Hutton. Two other things in this photo we don’t see quite so much any more are signs for Chop Suey (at the Marigold Café, 329 W. 6th St) and United Cigars.

Andrew C on Facebook says: “This is a Pacific Electric “box motor”, used for hauling less-than-carload freight and packages around the region, with a major part of that from the Railway Express Agency. It was a sort of UPS of its day, where when you ordered something, you went to the local depot agent and picked it up after it was transported to the depot in one of these. It’s my understanding that these mostly ran routes from a yard on the south end of LAUPT and a yard at 8th Street.”

Menu for the Marigold Cafe, 329 W. 6th St, downtown Los Angeles:

The Paramount was demolished in 1962, by which time the streetcar lines were also long gone. This is how that same corner looked in February 2023.