When Walt Disney opened his animation studio at 2719 Hyperion Ave in 1926, it marked his arrival on the entertainment scene. Until 1940, when they moved to a bigger campus in Burbank, this is where all the Disney shorts—as well as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” were produced. Of course, the big draw was Mickey Mouse, which is why he’s on the sign that says “Walt Disney Studios – Mickey Mouse – and Silly Symphony Sound Cartoons.” Although not remembered quite so well these days, the Silly Symphony series were often seen preceding feature movies. This campus also housed the animation school that Disney opened in 1935. Going by the cars parked out front, this photo was taken circa early 1930s.
That site is now home to a Gelson’s supermarket. This image is from December 2020:
In a big, bustling city like Los Angeles, precious few places remain much the same as when they were built. That’s especially true of downtown L.A. where buildings are constantly razed and replaced. So it’s nice to come across a photo – from the 19th century, no less – and see a building that has barely changed at all. This photo of the Bradbury Building at Broadway and Third St was taken in 1894, a year after it opened. The buildings around it have changed, we no longer see horses and carriages, the streets themselves are now paved over, but the Bradbury remains intact. And thank God too, because it’s interior is like nothing else in all Los Angeles.
Posting a Christmas photo in May might seem strange, but this one was just so pretty that I decided to post it now. We’re looking east along Hollywood Blvd from Wilcox Ave. We know it’s December because the “Santa Claus Lane” sign and metallic light-up Christmas trees along the boulevard. And we know it’s 1938 because “The Dawn Patrol” starring Errol Flynn is playing at the Warner Bros. Theatre, and it was released Christmas Eve, 1938. It went on to become one of Warners’ biggest money makers of 1939, which is no mean feat during “Hollywood’s Greatest Year.”
Topanga Canyon Blvd is one of the main roads that take Angelenos from the Pacific Coast Highway north of Santa Monica into the San Fernando Valley. As we can see in this photo taken in 1922, the Valley was filled with wide open spaces, ranches, and orchards. That’s certainly not the case now where pretty much every square foot of land we can see here is now filled with urban sprawl. But back then, it must have made for an enjoyably bucolic Sunday drive with the top down and all that endless California sunshine warming your skin.
A couple of weeks ago I posted a photo of 
It looks like living right on the beach was very popular even back as far as 1929, when this photo was taken from the top of the Santa Monica palisades looking south toward the pier where we can see the rollercoaster and the La Monica Ballroom that opened in 1924 and stuck around until 1963. On the right we can glimpse Ocean Front Walk pathway that still runs along the beach, but the railway tracks that run through the middle of this photo parallel to Pacific Coast Highway are long gone.
I love seeing photos of when Hollywood Blvd was more of a neighborhood shopping street. Here in one shot we can see a whole afternoon and evening’s entertainment. First I’d go to See’s Candies to pick up some chocolates to eat while seeing “My Gal Sal” and “The Great Man’s Lady” at the Hollywood Theatre, 6764 Hollywood Blvd (both movies came out in April 1942). Afterwards, I browse the Hollywood Book Store (where I’d probably buy “The Robe” which was a big seller that year), and then afterwards I’d have dinner at Italian Kitchen restaurant where I’d choose between the spaghetti for 30 cents, ravioli for 35 cents, or if I really wanted to treat myself, veal or chicken cacciatora for 55 cents. And then I’d go home on the Red Car whose tracks we can see in the foreground. Anybody care to join me?
Having survived the threat of demolition in the 1970s and devastating fire in the 1980s, the L.A. Public Library’s Central Library building is one of the architectural jewels in downtown Los Angeles. In this photo, dated November 2, 1925 and taken from Hope Street, it is far enough along in its construction that we can see its iconic pyramidal silhouette taking shape. Back in the 1920s, there were a lot more of those small apartment buildings we can see on the left around the downtown area, but few, if any, survive nowadays. The building on the right looks like it would have been interesting, especially with those two-story arches, so it’s unfortunate that it hasn’t survived. But the library is still with us, and that’s is a lot to be thankful for.
I have no idea where in Los Angeles this photo was taken, but that’s beside the point. It’s a wonderful close-up of the semaphore traffic lights that controlled L.A. traffic until the three-light signal replaced them in 1956. The La Salle and Buick in the background dates this photo to circa 1928. But two things I had never noticed about semaphores before is the third, smaller light at the bottom. Can anyone tell me what that was for? And that box on the pole—was that used to adjust or fix the light? It kind of looks like one of those call boxes used to contact the police or get a taxi. I’d love to get some confirmation about what it actually did.
This photo was taken on a clear, sunny L.A. day looking north up Vine Street toward the Hollywood and Vine corner from Huntington Hartford Theatre (now The Montalbán) in 1955. I’m so glad that this shot is in color because we don’t often get to see awning and blade neon sign of the Brown Derby across the street. That red color is quite eye-catching which is, of course, the whole purpose.