Tag Archives: Aerial photographs
Aerial photo of the RKO movie studios ranch in Encino, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, circa early 1950s
During Hollywood’s heyday, the movie studios had large ranches in the San Fernando Valley, where land was still cheap. It gave them lots of room to create expansive backlot sets. In this aerial shot, we’re looking at RKO’s ranch in … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Movie Studios, RKO, San Fernando Valley
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Aerial color photo of orange groves next to Disneyland, in its first year of operation, Anaheim, California, 1955
Here we have an aerial photo of Disneyland taken in 1955, the first year it opened. We can tell it must have been early on in the park’s life because it still had orange groves right next door, and people … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Anaheim, Color photo, Disney, Disneyland
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Aerial photograph of Los Angeles International Airport and its vast parking lot, 1968
Here’s an airport parking nightmare story in the making: An aerial photograph of LA International Airport and its vast parking lot in 1968. I can only assume that savvier travelers made a careful note of where they parked their Studebaker … Continue reading
Aerial photograph looking north from at an empty development from Pico Blvd up to Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 1924
Imagine flying over Los Angeles and this is the view you see when you look down. This is the area known as Century City but back in 1924, when this photo was taken, it was still a brand new development … Continue reading
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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Tagged Aerial photographs, Color photo, Hollywood, Hollywood Bowl
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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
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
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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Tagged Aerial photographs, Hollywood, Movie Studios, Paramount Pictures, RKO
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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
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