What was formerly known as the Mines Field municipal airfield underwent a name change in 1941 to Los Angeles Airport, and then in 1949, it acquired the name we know today: to Los Angeles International Airport, aka LAX. In this aerial photograph from 1963, we can see the addition of the iconic Theme Building, which opened in April 1961. But what caught my eye was the circular building near the bottom of the photo. I’ve been told it was a Chevron gas station, so now of course, I’m on a mission to find a photo showing us what it looked like at ground level.
This is roughly how that view looked in January 2024.
Vintage Los Angeles has a video. The Chevron station shows up near the end.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=5241126382647504
That’s a great find. Thanks, Bernard!
I agree, great find! Thank you Bernard!
The Chevron station was a great convenience. Nowadays it would undoubtedly only add to the congestion. I remember flying into and out of LAX in those days. As this shot confirms, there was little car traffic. Look at all the empty ground level parking lots in the middle! And the missing, as yet unbuilt, terminals.
That’s what struck me. Only ground level parking and half of it empty. Incredible!
I would love to time travel back to 1963, park my car across from the terminal for a minimal charge I’m sure or even FREE? Then walk across the street into the terminal, check my bag without a fee, say goodbye to friends or family at the gate, and board without any hassle.
Once aboard settle into my seat, and during the flight await a full meal, served on china with real silverware, from stewardesses who were there to provide passengers, with something lost called “CUSTOMER SERVICE”!
Just think no cellphones, no in-flight movies, only current magazines or the newspaper!
Must have been a great time?
That was exactly my experience flying in and out of LAX in 1963 except when I got there early enough, I at the restaurant in the Theme Building, and there was an in-flight movie projected for everyone on a single screen.
I moved to Los Angeles from San Francisco in 1964. So from then on I was doing a lot of visits home, flying in and out of LAX on PSA’s Turbo-Prop Jets for the astronomical fare of $29.95. And as you say, just walk to the gate. No machine to step through, no undressing, no arriving two+ hours ahead. My family could accompany me right to the gate at the other end. A few years later my boyfriend of the moment was taking a flight back to Idaho where he was stationed in the Navy. We were making a sad goodbye at the gate, and the kindly stewardess said I could go on board the plane, which was nearly empty, and sit with him until time to take off. Hard to believe now.