Tag Archives: Aerial photographs
Aerial photograph looking south across orange groves of what is now Studio City and Sherman Oaks in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, 1919
These days, the areas of the San Fernando Valley known as Studio City and Sherman Oaks are wall-to-wall suburban development. But for the first few decades of the 20th century, and even up to WWII, most of that was carpeted … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Hollywood Hills, San Fernando Valley
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Aerial photo of Los Angeles City Hall enshrouded in smog, downtown Los Angeles, circa November, 1954
The smog in this photo is so thick and so gritty that I can almost taste it, 68 years later. This photo was taken circa November 1954 on a day that was particularly heavy that pretty much the only building … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles City Hall, Smog
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Aerial photo of the Hollywood Bowl with the Franciscan Motel in the background, 1949
Photos of the Hollywood Bowl tend to draw the eye of the Bowl itself because…well…because it IS the Hollywood Bowl, after all. But this aerial photo from 1949 shows us that there was quite a large motel behind it. It … Continue reading
Looking south across the Wattles Mansion, 850 N Curson Ave, Los Angeles, circa 1910
In 1907, Omaha banker, Gordon Wattles decided he needed a winter home where he could escape from the Nebraskan winters, and we can’t blame him for that, can we? So he bought a parcel of land north of Hollywood Blvd … Continue reading
Aerial photo of Gilmore Stadium and Farmers Market at Fairfax Ave and 3rd St, Los Angeles, circa late 1930s
In July 1934, Earl Gilmore (head of the Gilmore Oil Co) opened Farmers Market at Fairfax Ave and 3rd St to help Depression-era farmers sell their products. The original market had 18 little booths the farmers could sell from. I … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Farmers Market, Sports, Stores and Shopping
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Construction of the San Diego 405 Freeway through Sepulveda Pass, Los Angeles, 1956
In my first job in LA, I drove from the San Fernando Valley to LA International Airport and back via the San Diego 405 Freeway. And every morning at 6.30am driving south through the Sepulveda Pass, the traffic would already … Continue reading
Aerial photo of the new NBC television studios with stored Hollywood Blvd Christmas trees, Burbank, California, 1953
Many people (including me!) have enjoyed the photos I’ve posted recently (HERE and HERE) showing the huge metal Christmas trees that used to decorate Hollywood Blvd during the holiday season. Those photos beg the question of where those trees were … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Burbank, Christmas, NBC Radio / Television, San Fernando Valley, Television
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Aerial view down Main Street after construction to widen the street, Santa Monica, California, 1930
Evidently, the city of Santa Monica decided to widen Main Street in 1930. What I don’t quite understand is what’s going on in this photo. It’s obviously wide enough now to accommodate angled parking on both sides and two lanes … Continue reading
Aerial view of agricultural San Fernando Valley looking north from Woodman Ave and Chandler Blvd, Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, 1927
As a San Fernando Valley dweller myself, I’m used to the suburban sprawl that now blankets most of the valley north of the Hollywood Hills. So this photo from 1927 comes as a bit of a shock to be reminded … Continue reading
Aerial photo of the Ambassador Hotel under construction, Los Angeles, 1920
From the moment it opened its doors on January 1, 1921, the Ambassador Hotel became a focal point for LA’s social life, especially at its premier nightclub, the Cocoanut Grove. This aerial shot shows it under construction in 1920. Wilshire … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Ambassador Hotel, Hotels, Wilshire Blvd
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