Looking east along Sunset Blvd from Vista St after Sunset had been widened, Los Angeles, circa 1931

Looking east along Sunset Blvd from Vista St after Sunset had been widened, Los Angeles, circa 1931In this circa 1931 photo, we’re looking east along Sunset Blvd from Vista St, which puts it around half a dozen blocks west of Hollywood High. The caption of this photo mentions how Sunset had just been widened. I hadn’t heard that it had ever been made wider, but gauging from the (low) volume of traffic, it almost makes me wonder why they bothered. But as a 21st century LA motorist, I’m awfully glad they did.

Jeff H. says: “Based on the vehicle models & the info below, I’d put it circa 1930/31. Sunset Boulevard was being widened in the summer and fall of 1930, affecting boulevard businesses.”

This is roughly the same view in May 2022.

 

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6 responses to “Looking east along Sunset Blvd from Vista St after Sunset had been widened, Los Angeles, circa 1931”

  1. Martin Pal says:

    I chuckled reading the above about bothering to widen the street because there are more cars in the c. 1910 photo than in the present one! Heh!

  2. Mark says:

    I was looking at other 1910 Los Angeles photos and they were mostly horse and wagons still in use. This photo looks to me closer around 1920 or later?

    • Yes, I wondered about that too. My spidey sense said 1910 was a little too early and that 1920 was probably closer to the mark. But the caption said “Circa 1910” so I went with that.

      • Jeff Hamblin says:

        I put a post up earlier, but it’s a no show. Also put one on FB with some newspaper clips about the widening.

        The widening was started in June 1930 and completed in Feb 1931.

        Judging by that and the cars, I’d put it at 1931.

  3. Jeff Hamblin says:

    I agree with Mark that this photo is quite a bit later than 1910. I can’t make out any license plates to put a definitive date on it.

    Based on the below, I’d put it circa 1930/31

    USC note for the photo: “Photograph of a view of Sunset Boulevard after widening looking east from Vista Street, ca.1910-1950. At center, automobiles traverse the wide street while store fronts line the sidewalks to either side. At left, a line of still more automobiles can be seen parked along the curb. At right, a sign reads “10 cents”.”
    Written on the border is “3131”
    https://digitallibrary.usc.edu/asset-management/2A3BF1M0NSC

    A similar photo also referencing the widening is dated Sep 1931.
    https://digitallibrary.usc.edu/asset-management/2A3BF1G8SRM

    Finally, there is reference here to Sunset Blvd being widened in 1930.
    “Sunset Boulevard was being widened in the summer and fall of 1930, affecting boulevard businesses. 9/6/1930. Hollywood Citizen News.”
    https://jhgraham.com/2020/12/06/6534-sunset-fred-thompson-building-mary-helen-tea-room-ii-gormet/

    • Al Donnelly says:

      Might be a Richfield station (out of view) on the right as that looks similar to one of the race car sculptures just right of that 10-cent signage.

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