This photo captures a time when downtown Los Angeles wasn’t all shiny glass skyscrapers. Here we have the old Los Angeles County Courthouse (on the left) and the Hall of Records (right) dwarfed by the then-new Los Angeles City Hall. The courthouse was so atmospheric that it’s a pity it couldn’t survive the extensive damage it received from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake. From the “Fire Prevention Year” billboard, we know this photo was taken in 1927, which means the new City Hall was probably still being finished as its dedication ceremony took place on April 26, 1928. When the light hits it just right, it sure stands out, doesn’t it?
After the courthouse was demolished as Martin points out, courtrooms were created in the Hall of Records and the records part of the building moved its offices to the new Richard Neutra designed Hall of Records a block away on the corner of West Temple Street and North Broadway. As a deputy Los Angeles County Public Defender I tried lots of criminal cases in the “old” Hall of Records. Today where the Hall of Records was is part of Gloria Molina Grand Park. And where the old courthouse stood, now stands the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
The billboard for Langendorf Bread brings back memories. As I remember it, it was a popular soft white bread with am equally soft crust commonly used for kids sandwiches. It was not my favorite as I preferred bread with more body that didn’t just squish flat in your hand. But it was inexpensive and convenient (came pre-sliced) so mother’s apparently loved to use it.
The billboard on the right advertises Old Gold which was a popular cigarette at the time.
I wondered about Langendorf bread as I hadn’t heard of it before. Sounds a lot like Wonder Bread.
Yes, Langendorf bread…”in the gingham wrapper”, as their slogan said. Oops, that was Weber’s Bread.