Destination #2,783 in my time travel itinerary would be a nighttime stroll along Hollywood Blvd at the blazing height of its neon glory. I suspect this was a picture postcard, and I wish we could read the signs (and banners hanging from the streetlights) more clearly. But I can make out Coffee Dan’s, Hollywood Theatre, Iris Theater, the Broadway(-Hollywood department store), Warner Bros. Theatre, and American Airlines. It looks like one of the signs reads “Mutiny on the Bounty” which indicates this photo is from 1962.
Night shot looking east from around Highland Ave showing Hollywood Blvd ablaze with neon lights, circa 1962
A view across the Hollywood Hills where the roads are being graded for future homes at Belden and Flagmoor Sts, Hollywoodland, 1923
Up until the early 1920s, the Hollywood Hills were just that: hills. But then someone realized that the views across Los Angeles meant it was actually prime real estate and gave their idea a catchy name. In this 1923 photo, we’re seeing the Hollywoodland development take shape with roads being graded for future homes at the intersection of Belden and Flagmoor Streets. As a development, Hollywoodland took a while to take off, but once it did, it has never looked back.
This is roughly how that view looked in August 2022:
Washington Gardens Chutes Amusement Park, with Chutes Water Slide Chutes Theater, corner of Washington Blvd and Main St, south of downtown Los Angeles, circa early 1900s
When I first saw this circa early 1900s photo of the Washington Gardens Chutes Amusement Park, with a rollercoaster, Chutes Water Slide, and Chutes Theater, I assumed it was at the beach. Probably Santa Monica or Venice. So imagine my surprise when I found it stood at the corner of Washington Blvd and Main St, south of downtown Los Angeles. Geographically, it makes sense, seeing as how Los Angeles itself didn’t extend too far beyond the edges of (what we now call) downtown so to get to the beach was a bit of a hike. But Washington Gardens was nowhere near the LA River, so now I’m wondering the logistics of maintaining all that water.
Gary H said: “Your post unlocked an entire rabbit hole for me. I learned about Paul Boyton, a mid 1800s showman, adventurer, water sport/stunt originator, and founder of the first amusement park. He had a whole history before in NY and Atlantic City, then went out with PT Barnum in 1887, and ended up in Chicago. Inspired by the 1892 Chicago Columbian Exposition , he created the first amusement park and Chutes there in 1894.
In 1895 he created another Chutes and a park that later became Coney Island, and also opened the hugely successful Chutes in SF on the Haight, which later moved to Fulton St. I didn’t find a connection to the LA Chutes which launched around the same time, but wiki does say that Boyton licensed the concept, so I guess that was probably one of them.”
Umbrella Super Service gas station selling Violet Ray gasoline, 830 S. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, circa 1930
Yesterday, I featured a photo of a gas station selling a brand of purple-colored gasoline I’d never heard of: Violet Ray. And what was the first photo I randomly came across this morning? A photo of the aptly-named Umbrella Super Service gas station, and what brand of gas did they advertise? Violet Ray! This umbrella-shaped gas station stood at 830 S. La Brea Ave in Los Angeles, and this photo was taken circa 1930.
This is how that site looked in June 2024. Yet another parking lot (which, as an LA motorist, I’m always grateful for. But as a student of LA history, not so much.)
Violet Ray Gas Station on N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, 1930
And from the ever-thickening They Sure Don’t Make Em Like That Anymore file, comes this 1930 photo of a Violet Ray gas station with a soaring tower to attract the attention of passing motorists. According to one website I found, Violet Ray gasoline was introduced in 1928 by General Petroleum. They distinguished their product by coloring it violet. I don’t know how successful the gimmick was, but I’ll give them points for creativity. I only know that this gas station was on N. Cahuenga Blvd in Hollywood, which means it could have been anywhere north of De Longpre Ave. With those hills in the background, I’d say it was probably somewhere near where the Hollywood Fwy now cuts across the northern edge of Hollywood.
Jim L. says: “THis beautiful gas station appears to be along the Cahuenga Pass at Barham Blvd. I am pretty sure that the two houses on the hill belonged to the Frederick Blanchard estate. For years, the driveway was where one turned onto Barham from the 101 and was overgrown with weeds and fenced.”
Daniel N says: “Here it is, left center. Looking northeast over US 101/Cahuenga Blvd at Barham Blvd, circa 1930.”
A close up of the marquee of the RKO Hillstreet Theatre at 801 S. Hill St, downtown Los Angeles prior to demolition in 1965
In 1922, RKO opened their Hillstreet Theater at 801 S. Hill St on the southwest corner of 8th St. It operated as both a movie theater and a vaudeville house and lasted until the summer of 1965. Normally, I’d be showing photos of the theater, but this shot is more memorable. Prior to the theater’s demolition, the marquee read: “Critics acclaim return engagement – Fresh from smash hit at Biltmore – Cleveland Wrecking Co. – Brings down the house.” While it’s a grand shame that LA had to lose what had been a gorgeous theater, at least someone had a pretty good sense of humor about it, and I’m glad we’ve now got this photo.
Bill C. said: “RKO didn’t build the place in 1922. It was the Orpheum circuit. RKO didn’t exist until 1929 when Joe Kennedy did a quick mashup of Radio Corporation of America with the recently merged combine of the Keith-Albee vaudeville circuit and Orpheum.”
This is how the building looked that summer in 1965:
This is how that marquee looked at night in 1933:
This is how the theater looked when it opened in 1922:
And this is how that corner looked in June 2024:
A view of the gardens beside Santa Fe Railway’s La Grande station at Santa Fe Ave and 2nd St, downtown Los Angeles, circa 1890s
Most photos I’ve seen of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway’s La Grande station at Santa Fe Ave and 2nd St, in downtown LA were taken, understandably, facing the front entrance. So it’s nice to see a different angle. The photographer was standing on the northern edge of the station looking south along Santa Fe Ave toward the station’s gardens. The station opened in 1893 so I’d say this photo was taken not long after that because the gardens look like they’re freshly laid out.
This circa 1911 photo shows what those gardens grew into:
Here are some advertisements for the Santa Fe railway:
This is roughly how that view looked in May 2024. There’s no trace of what used to be after La Grande station closed in May 1939 ahead of the Santa Fe railway moving into the new Union Station that same month.
Night view of the Capitol Records building and Bob’s Burger Bar, Hollywood, circa 1962
It might just be the author in me talking, but it’s photos like this that can inspire whole novels. In this circa 1962 photo, we have the Capitol Records building on Vine St, Hollywood, and place I don’t remember seeing before, Bob’s Burger Bar (also with chili dogs and steak sandwiches!) All the elements are there: strings of lights glowing like pearls over a packed parking lot, an iconic Hollywood landmark rising in the background with its seasonal Christmas tree lights, a cheap burger joint standing by its lonesome on a deserted Hollywood street deep into an inky night. Throw in a jaded private eye, a hooker with a heart of gold, a wise-cracking burger-flipper with a secret and a cute dog, and you’ve got yourself a page-turner.
I couldn’t find Bob’s Burger Bar’s address, so I don’t know exactly where this photo was taken. I suspect it was from Argyle St looking west toward the Capitol Records building. If I’ve got it wrong, please let me know. This image is from June 2022.
Michael M. says: “This is looking NW from Hollywood Blvd and Carlos. The building on the right of Capitol Records is Yucca and Vine. There was a large parking lot there until Washington Savings went in around 1963. It was swallowed up by the Argyle and no longer exists. Out of frame to the right would be Nugent Pontiac.”
Bill C. says: “On the left we have the side of the Pantages Theatre. Great photo! Thanks. It was taken on Hollywood Blvd. That’s El Centro St. on the right.”
John J. says: “The Burger joint was on the north west corner of what used to be Vista Del Mar Ave. and Hollywood blvd., until 2012 or so when the street that began as Cyril Drive in 1905 was removed.”
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Tagged Capitol Records, Capitol Records building, Hollywood, Night photo, Restaurants
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The Zulu Hut restaurant, 11100 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, Los Angeles, circa late 1920s
Over the years, Los Angeles has had its fair share of exotically themed restaurants, but one of the more outlandish was the restaurant shown in this photo. The Zulu Hut stood at 11100 Ventura Blvd in Studio City in the San Fernando Valley not far from Universal Studios. I don’t know what the Zulu people actually ate in South Africa, but in Southern California, the menu included cornpones (cornmeal bread), squab (aka pigeon), and fried chicken. One report I read said that the waiters served their customers in black face. I guess some places still serve pigeon these days (though I haven’t even seen it in any LA restaurant I’ve been to) I’m glad we’ve moved past the black-face era. The Zulu Hut was open from 1924 until it burned down in 1931.
And here is a rare interior shot:
These days, 11100 Ventura Blvd is occupied by a British pub called The Fox and Hounds. This image is from May 2024.
Looking west along Hollywood Blvd toward the Knickerbocker Hotel and the Guaranty building, Hollywood, circa late 1920s
Very little information came with this photo so I had to dig a little deeper on this one. Those two buildings in the background are the Guaranty building on the left and the Knickerbocker Hotel on the right. They stand on Ivar Ave, which means the main street with traffic and streetcar is Hollywood Blvd. The billboard on the left is announcing a new Mullen & Bluett menswear store, which was at 6316 Hollywood Blvd, just west of Hollywood and Vine. Until I saw this photo, I didn’t know Cadillac had a location on Hollywood Blvd. The Guaranty opened in 1923 and the Knickerbocker broke ground in 1925 but opened in 1929, so I’m calling this photo circa late 1920s.
This is roughly the same view in June 2024. The Guaranty building is now owned by the Church of Scientology, and the Knickerbocker is now a retirement home.
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Tagged Automobile Showroom, Hollywood, Hollywood and Vine, Hollywood Blvd, Hotels, Stores and Shopping, Streetcars
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