Tag Archives: Freeways
Three Angelenos check out the world’s first stack interchange north of downtown Los Angeles, circa mid-1950s
The construction of the world’s first stack interchange took place north of downtown Los Angeles between 1949 and 1953. So when the four-level interchange of the Arroyo Seco Parkway and the Hollywood Freeway (aka the 101) opened, I’d imagine that … Continue reading
Opening day of the Mulholland Highway, Los Angeles, December 27, 1924
I could find surprisingly little information about this photo other than it appears to be the opening day of the Mulholland Highway in December 27, 1924. I’m not entirely sure, but I think this photo was taken in the Cahuenga … Continue reading
Aerial shot of La Cienega Blvd at Venice Blvd during the construction of the Santa Monica Fwy, Los Angeles, 1964
The freeways of LA seem so deeply embedded in the fabric of Los Angeles, that it can sometimes feel like they’ve been there forever. This aerial shot from 1964 is of La Cienega Blvd at Venice Blvd during the construction … Continue reading
Facing southwest on the Golden State Freeway near what is now the Ventura Freeway interchange, Los Angeles, September 13, 1957
Every time I see a vintage photo of a new LA freeway, it boggles my mind that any Southern California freeway could ever have been this empty. This shot was taken on September 13, 1957. The photographer was facing south … Continue reading
Heavy traffic backs up the Pasadena Freeway near Elysian Park heading into downtown Los Angeles, circa late 1950s
If this circa late 1950s photo is anything to go by, Los Angeles freeways that resemble a parking lot aren’t a recent development. I’m not 100% certain, but I think we’re looking at the Pasadena Freeway near Elysian Park heading … Continue reading
The southbound lanes of the Hollywood Freeway are empty during a rare Los Angeles snow day, Cahuenga Pass, February 1948
This photo of the Hollywood Freeway from February 1948 has two very rare elements. Firstly, all four southbound lanes are completely empty. Cahuenga Blvd has a fair bit of traffic on it, so I’m guessing those lanes have been blocked … Continue reading
Color shot of the offramp to the Hollywood Bowl from the Hollywood Freeway through the Cahuenga Pass, Los Angeles, circa early 1940s
If L.A.’s freeways still looked like this, I’d probably be inclined to take them more often. We’re looking west up the Hollywood Freeway as it heads into the Cahuenga Pass. Traffic is remarkably light, so I’m guessing this photo was … Continue reading
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Tagged Cahuenga Pass, Color photo, Freeways, Hollywood, Hollywood Bowl
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Looking southwest along the Hollywood Freeway through the Cahuenga Pass toward Hollywood with the Mulholland Drive overpass, Los Angeles, 1940
In this photo, we’re looking southwest toward Hollywood along the Hollywood Freeway as it stakes through the Cahuenga Pass. This photo was dated at 1940, and as this stretch of the Hollywood Freeway (aka “the 101”) opened to the public … Continue reading
Cahuenga Pass connecting Los Angeles with the San Fernando Valley, circa 1920
The Cahuenga Pass has long been one of the main routes connecting Los Angeles with the San Fernando Valley. This photo is circa 1920, after it had been expanded from a dirt track to a streetcar line running alongside a … Continue reading
The Laurel Canyon Blvd eastbound off-ramp from the Ventura/Hollywood/101 Freeway, Studio City, Los Angeles, circa early 1960s
Right before the Ventura/Hollywood/101 Freeway opened in the early 1960s, photographer Leigh Wiener took this photo of his son Devik playing on the off-ramp to Laurel Canyon Blvd in Studio City. It was probably the first and last time any … Continue reading