Author Archives: Martin Turnbull
Looking west during peak hour along Wilshire Blvd from Serrano Ave toward the Pellissier Building and Warners Theatre, Los Angeles, 1931
Rarely have I seen a photo of LA peak hour traffic look so artistic. We’re looking west along Wilshire Blvd from west of Serrano Ave. That 12-story Art Deco building on the left is called the Pellissier Building, which also … Continue reading
Night shot of the Belmont Theatre 126 S. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, when “Two Sisters from Boston” was playing during the summer of 1946
I do like the way the photographer framed this shot of the Belmont Theatre at 126 S. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, taking in the lit marquee facing the street as well as the huge sign on top of the theater … Continue reading
Night view of the Sunset Clock Tower Market on the northeast corner of Wilshire Blvd and Hamilton Dr., Beverly Hills, circa 1930
When viewed at night in this circa 1930 photograph, it’s easy to see why this building on the northeast corner of Wilshire Blvd and Hamilton Dr was called the Sunset Clock Tower Market. It looks to have been quite a … Continue reading
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Tagged Gas stations, Night photo, Stores and Shopping, Sunset Blvd
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Looking south on a busy Broadway from 4th Street, downtown Los Angeles, 1931
In this photo we’re looking south along a busy Broadway from 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles. Back in 1931, when this photo was taken, downtown LA was much more of a thriving heart of LA than it is these … Continue reading
Color photo looking east through the intersection of Sunset Blvd and Vine St, Hollywood, circa early 1950s
I do love coming across an image in vibrant color, especially if it depicts Hollywood in its heyday. Extra points if it was taken with Kodachrome, which I’m fairly sure this was. We’re looking east through the intersection of Sunset … Continue reading
Curries Ice Cream and Candy store on the northwest corner of Firestone Blvd and La Reina Ave Downey, Los Angeles, circa 1950s
Most Curries ice cream stores had a huge can’t-miss-‘em ice-cream cone out front to advertise their famous 10-cent “Mile High Cones.” I don’t know for sure, but this one was their probably their biggest. I’m guessing 15 feet? It would … Continue reading
Movie fans gather on bleachers in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre for the 17th Academy Awards, Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, March 15, 1945
In this photo, we see a large group of excited movie fans crowded into bleachers set up outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. To accommodate them, the Radlicks soda fountain had to fold up their awning. The date was … Continue reading
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Tagged Academy Awards, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood, Hollywood Blvd, Stores and Shopping, Theaters
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Los Angeles Hidden Etymologies
In case you’ve wondered of the origin of some of the more familiar and famous names around Los Angeles…
Sunset-Vista Market at 7415 Sunset Blvd and N. Vista St, Los Angeles, circa mid 1930s
I do love these shots of the open front markets that used to be ubiquitous around Los Angeles. The Sunset-Vista Market was at 7415 Sunset Blvd and N. Vista St, which puts it halfway between Crescent Heights and Highland. This … Continue reading
Aerial photograph looking west across Los Angeles International Airport from a circular Chevron gas station, 1963
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 … Continue reading