Author Archives: Martin Turnbull
The Hollywoodland sign under construction in the Hollywood Hills, circa late 1923
Here we have some Hollywood history in the making: the soon-to-be world famous Hollywoodland sign mid-construction. The thirteen 50-foot letters were built in November and December 1923, and were illuminated for the first time on December 8 (originally the sign … Continue reading
7th and 8th grade students do schoolyard calisthenics at the San Pedro Street School, 1635 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, circa mid-1890s
How cute is this photo from the mid-1890s? Here we have 7th and 8th grade students from the San Pedro Street School at 1635 San Pedro St just south of downtown Los Angeles doing calisthenics in their schoolyard. I guess … Continue reading
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Looking across a crowded Venice Beach toward Lick Pier, Ocean Park, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, 1929
It sure must have been a hot day in Los Angeles in 1929 when this photo was taken. There are some empty patches of Santa Monica sand, but not many—especially closer to the Lick Pier. The pier was in Ocean … Continue reading
Rush hour with around a dozen Los Angeles Railway streetcars lined up on East 7th St waiting to cross Main St, downtown Los Angeles, 1914
Back in 1914, when this photo was captured, Los Angeles hadn’t yet become the city built for the private automobile. For most people, streetcars were the way to get around town and in this shot we can see that “rush … Continue reading
The beacon at the top of Los Angeles City Hall shines over downtown Los Angeles into a misty night, circa 1930s
In this gloriously atmospheric night shot, we’re seeing the beacon at the top of Los Angeles City Hall shining over downtown LA. I don’t know if there was a filter over the camera lens over Maynard Parker’s lens or if … Continue reading
The front of Paramount Pictures movie studios looking east back when it was still on Marathon St, Hollywood, 1937
Once upon a time, the public-facing facade of Paramount Pictures, the only major movie studio still in Hollywood, was on Marathon St. This photo was taken in 1937 when, in theory at least, anyone could park their car right out … Continue reading
Pickwick Stages Overnite Sleeper Coach parked out front of the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, California 1929
I don’t know if the double-decker Pickwick Stages Overnite Sleeper Coach was comfortable — neither level looks like it had much head room. Or if it was convenient — one article said their main route went from San Diego to … Continue reading
The Los Angeles Fire Department marches down Main St in LA’s first civic parade, Los Angeles on July 4, 1871
The handwritten caption along the bottom of this photo says “The first civic parade in Los Angeles Cal. July 4th 1871 – Los Ang. Fire Department.” According to the LA Almanac, the population of LA in the early 1870s was … Continue reading
Westminster Hotel on the northeast corner of Fourth and Main Streets, downtown Los Angeles, circa 1900
Here we have a turn-of-the-century glimpse of Los Angeles life. This four-story building with the tower was the Westminster Hotel, which stood on the northeast corner of Fourth and Main Streets in downtown Los Angeles. The shot was taken around … Continue reading
Night shot of the Southern Pacific Starlight service between Los Angeles and San Francisco (undated)
I don’t have a date for this remarkable shot, but here’s what I can tell you: Southern Pacific Railway inaugurated their Starlight service, an overnight train between Los Angeles and San Francisco on October 2, 1949. It started with chairs … Continue reading
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Tagged California, Glendale, California, Night photo, Trains and Railways
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