As a 21st-century Angeleno, it’s rather shocking to see all the empty land around Los Angeles International Airport. And to see all the parking spaces surrounding the Theme Building. And only one runway. These days, every square inch of what you can see in this vintage photo is packed. How nice it must have been back in 1964, when this photo was taken, to drive up to LAX, find a park, and then see your loved one off at the gate lounge. No security, no scans, no lines, and most of all no need to take off your damned shoes.
This is how LAX looked in May 2022. (UPDATE: This photo has replaced the one I originally posted when I learned that that photo was around the wrong way.)
A little touchup on your comments is necessary. With the LAX expansion west of Sepulveda there came the two added runways on the north side of the added terminal complex, runways 24 Left ( visible at image’s right edge ) and 24 Right ( off image to the right ). These were added to the two existing runways that had been extended to the west through the late ’50s, runways 25 Right and Left parallels.
My father was senior equipment engineer on the West 96th Street Bell Telephone Central Office, that placed in service the first Electronic Switching System ( ESS ) system to become operational in Los Angeles. The ESS building is seen on the south side of W 96th Street just west of Sepulveda, standing alone near the east end of Rnwy 24 Left’s taxiway. Also, I started my A & P mechanics training at L. A. Trade Technical College, Aircraft Annex in September of 1964. The school was near the corners of Sepulveda and W 96th Street and could be seen to the south-east with the long rectangular building seen near those corners. The school had a number of large retired aircraft for the students to work on for their practical aircraft mechanics training. Also of note was the large manufacturing complex of Garrett AiResearch ( before becoming a part of Allied Signal ) that was west of Sepulveda and north of Century, that area now part of airport parking.
One further note from the May 2022 aerial shot, it was taken looking in the opposite direction ( looking nearly north-east ) that shows Sepulveda Blvd. near the top with the Century Blvd. cloverleaf top center, with the Runway 24 R and L to the left, 25 R and L along the right side of the image and terminal complex.
Great shots to show decades of change.
Thanks for all that, Richard. Much appreciated.
When I was in high school in Culver City in the late 60s, we’d sometimes go to LAX just to hang out and pretend we were coming or going from some exotic place. Parking must have cost something, but it had to be negligible, and there was almost no security at all. Fun times.
Also, when we were really seeing people off or picking them up, a whole gang of you would go up to the gate to see them off or back. Different times.
What a fun time to grow up, Paula!
It didn’t always seem so at the time, but compared to today, I’m glad I grew up when I did.