Author Archives: Martin Turnbull
Two enormous residences on Figueroa St near 5th Street, downtown Los Angeles, circa 1905
This photo gives us an idea of the sort of mansions that used to fill the streets of downtown Los Angeles around the turn of the century (This photo is circa 1905.) Narrowing down their location is a bit tricky. … Continue reading
The sparse intersection of Hilgard Ave and Lindbrook Dr in Westwood, Los Angeles, December 18, 1928
These days, the Westwood part of LA is highly developed, anchored by the campus of UCLA. But back when this photo was taken on December 18, 1928, it was mostly still dirt, dirt, and more dirt, with some houses interspersed … Continue reading
The Bay Theater-Pharmacy-Market on the southeast corner of Sunset Blvd and La Cruz Dr, Los Angeles, 1953
Here’s a convenient one-stop-shop from 1953: Go see John Wayne in “The Fighting Kentuckian” at the Bay Theater, then pick up some Vitalis hair tonic at Bay Pharmacy, and then go next door to the Bay Market for some Wonder … Continue reading
Looking south down the island that separates Laurel Canyon Rd from Laurel Canyon Blvd at Kirkwood Dr, Los Angeles, 1928
When I moved to Los Angeles in the 1990s, I was amazed when I first drove Laurel Canyon Blvd from West Hollywood into the San Fernando Valley. Here I was in the middle 10 million people, and yet I felt … Continue reading
Early photograph of the Tam o’ Shanter Inn, 2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, circa mid-1920s
And from the Storybook school of architecture comes the charming Tam o’ Shanter Inn at 2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles. There’s lots to love about this place, but my favorite detail are those crooked—I don’t even know what to … Continue reading
Color photo looking west along Wilshire Blvd from around Cloverdale Ave, Los Angeles, circa 1950s
There’s something so striking about those old Kodachrome photos. The colors burst from the image so vividly that you almost feel as though you could jump right in. We’re looking west along Wilshire Blvd from around Cloverdale Ave, circa 1950s. … Continue reading
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Tagged Color photo, Kodachrome, Stores and Shopping, Wilshire Blvd
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Aerial photo of Dodger Stadium under construction, Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles, circa 1960
I’m no sports fan, but even I know that the LA Dodgers won the first game of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday. Here we have an aerial photo of that stadium under construction. The project broke … Continue reading
Looking down the Angels Flight funicular railway from the top of Bunker Hill to 3rd St, downtown Los Angeles, circa 1960s
These days, the Angels Flight funicular railway shuttles riders between Olive St at the top and the station at the bottom situated between 3rd and 4th St in downtown LA. But when this photo was taken, Angels Flight was in … Continue reading
A searchlight shoots into the sky for the world premiere of “Trapeze” at the Fox Wilshire Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, May 29, 1956
It looks like United Artists pulled out all the stops when it held the world premiere of “Trapeze” at the Fox Wilshire Theatre at 8440 Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills on May 29, 1956. Behind that huge spotlight shooting into … Continue reading
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Tagged Beverly Hills, Fox Theater, Movie Premiere, Night photo, Theaters, United Artists, Wilshire Blvd
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A double-decker bus transports passengers between Los Angeles and Venice, Southern California, 1914
Here we have an early example of the sort of double-decker motor coaches that were put into service to transport people between Los Angeles and Venice. Back in 1914, when this photo was taken, there was a lot of open, … Continue reading