In this intensely colorful photo, we’re watching a Pacific Electric Red Car streetcar turning from southbound Hill Street, onto westbound Venice Blvd where it will head out of downtown Los Angeles and head for the corner of San Vicente and Genesee Ave, where it will turn around and go back. Three things that caught my eye: the semaphore traffic light on the left, the Richfield gas station on the right, and that gorgeous streetlight near the middle. As best as I can tell, this photo is circa late 1940s. (My thanks to Ralph Cantos for is assistance identifying the location of this photo.)
This is how the corner of Hill St and Venice Blvd looked in May 2024. Rather bland, isn’t it?
LARy service on the “A” line (Adams etc.) was terminated in June 1946 and went strictly to busses, as seen here behind the PE Hollywood type car. It appears there is remnants of dual guage trackage still. So the estimate of late ‘40’s is spot on since the red car service here ended in 1950. Barbara Ann bread is being advertised on the bench back. The gas station looks like it has a clock (neon lighted?) embedded in the roof arch above the filling bay, maybe a much older style for Richfield.