I’ve been posting a vintage photo of Los Angeles every day for more than 10 years, and yet it still amazes me when I see photos of main LA thoroughfares with hardly any automobiles, buildings, or people in sight. Like this one, for instance, taken somewhere on Wilshire Blvd where early dual-lamp streetlights have been installed, but by the looks of it, Wilshire wasn’t even paved over yet. We can see that it was still a dirt road. The caption placed it as circa 1931, which surprises me. You’d think Wilshire would have been sealed by then. On the other hand, Sunset Blvd west of Crescent Heights was still dirt at this time, so I guess not. (Source: Water & Power Associates)
Andie P. said: “My dad’s cousin who lived in the L.A. area from 1910, said that the unpaved roads were graded with horse drawn “graders” then “oiled” to keep the dust down. He and most men, had canvas “slippers” to wear over their shoes to keep the black oil from staining them.”
“So I guess not.”
Martin! You’re supposed to be the expert, why don’t you figure it out before you post. This doesn’t look like Wilshire. Where’s the photo from? If you don’t know, why not post what you do know and present the info you do know so we can figure it out.
I’ve never claimed to be an expert on anything. I just like to find vintage photos of Southern California that I find interesting enough to post about along with my observations, reflections, and comments. The source for this photo was Water & Power Associates, who I generally find to be fairly accurate and reliable.
LM, saying “I guess not” refers to roads being paved at the time, not the location of the photo. I looked up the W&P site where the photo came from and they have noted it came from the LA Public Library Archives which notes it as Wilshire, too.
Martin, the pix are fabulous. Your contribution is super. I would say, considering it’s 1931, the beginning of the Depression years, the city had a tight budget, so there were only so many roads they could pave and that goes with hiring workers. Yes, Sunset Boulevard was dirt. A famous story all by itself. How many people had cars back then? Few job opportunities, so folks took street cars or walked. I also think not too many people today (unless you have grand parents who could tell you more or you’re a historian) realize how terrible times were. Keep in mind, this is LA. Could you imagine the plight of small towns? Like the “Grapes of Wrath,” many folks came to California, however you still needed a job and money. Another thing, back in those days, NO unemployment, NO Social Security, No Medicare. Even NO credits cards. Basically, you had live on what you had in your pocket. If you had no money, you were in deep.
PS. Martin. I’m a film buff and I watch nightly (on METV) the old Laurel and Hardy comedies, produced in the 30s. They filmed them in Culver City at their studio. Again, if you look in the background of those films, there’s few cars, few houses — vacant lots — and roads that lead to dirt roads! Amazing to watch this, but also it’s a time capsule of the Depression years. So it all ties in with your fantastic photos.
It looks to me that half of the street has just been paved. The other side of the street from where the car is parked looks freshly paved.
I later added this comment from Andie P – “My dad’s cousin who lived in the L.A. area from 1910, said that the unpaved roads were graded with horse drawn “graders” then “oiled” to keep the dust down. He and most men, had canvas “slippers” to wear over their shoes to keep the black oil from staining them.” – so I think that’s what we’re seeing.