Tag Archives: Aerial photographs

Aerial color shot of the Hollywood Bowl with its reflecting pool, circa mid-1950s

In this aerial color shot, we’re gazing down on the Hollywood Bowl that still had its 100,000-gallon reflecting pool. It was installed as part of a host of upgrades in 1953 and remained until 1972. It really stands out at … Continue reading

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Aerial photo of Selig studios and zoo, 3800 Mission Rd, Lincoln Heights

Like most early studio heads, William Selig started making short silent films back east (in Selig’s case, Chicago) before moving to Los Angeles for the year-round filmmaking-friendly weather. Settling first in Edendale (near Echo Park), Selig eventually outgrew his original … Continue reading

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Aerial view of Los Angeles International Airport, 1964

As a 21st-century Angeleno, it’s rather shocking to see all the empty land around Los Angeles International Airport. And to see all the parking spaces surrounding the Theme Building. And only one runway. These days, every square inch of what … Continue reading

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Aerial photo of RKO movie studios at the corner of Melrose Ave and Gower St, Hollywood, circa 1930

In this eye-catching aerial photo, we’re looking down at the RKO movie studios in Hollywood. That road stretching from the upper left to the lower right is Gower St, and the wider road it deadends at the bottom is Melrose … Continue reading

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Aerial photo of St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church and the Auto Club Headquarters at the intersection of Adams Blvd and Figueroa St, Los Angeles, May 3, 1933

Click on the image for a larger version. This aerial photo gives us a taste of what it was like to fly over Los Angeles in 1933 (on May 3rd at 10:30 am, to be precise.) We’re looking down at … Continue reading

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Aerial shot of Charlie Chaplin’s movie studios, 1416 N. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles (undated)

When someone sent me this aerial photo to see if I could identify it, it took me a minute or two to realize we’re looking at Charlie Chaplin’s studios, whose official address was 1416 N. La Brea Ave. The giveaway … Continue reading

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Aerial view of the Green Mill nightclub at the intersection of Washington and National Blvds, Culver City, California, 1924

A few days ago, I posted a photo from the mid-1930s of Frank Sebastian’s Cotton Club at the intersection of Washington and National Blvd in Culver City. During my research, I came across this interesting aerial photo. Before this place … Continue reading

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Aerial photograph of Studio Drive In Theater, 5250 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, 1961

By the time this aerial photograph of Studio Drive-in Theater (open from 1948 to 1993) at 5250 Sepulveda Blvd in Culver City was taken in 1961, a lot of the land had been developed so the triangular site carved out … Continue reading

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Aerial view of Hollywood High School, Hollywood, circa late 1920s

Here we have a bird’s-eye view of Hollywood High School. That main road running from left to right near the bottom of the picture is Sunset Blvd, crossing with Highland Ave at the bottom right corner. The school no longer … Continue reading

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Aerial photo of the Santa Monica pier, Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles, 1924

Here we have an aerial photo of the Santa Monica pier from 1924. We can see the Looff Hippodrome. Built in 1916, it’s that square building with the tower. It houses the Looff’s carousel and is still there. Meanwhile, the … Continue reading

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