Tag Archives: Freeways
The first Highland Park segment of the Arroyo Seco Parkway in Los Angeles on its opening day, July 20, 1940
In this shot we get to see how the first Highland Park segment of the Arroyo Seco Parkway looked like on its opening day, July 20, 1940. I bet the drivers of these four motorcars were thinking, “Hey, is this … Continue reading
Figueroa Street Tunnels, Los Angeles, circa 1950s – later became the Pasadena Freeway, the 1st Freeway in the US
If only the Figueroa Street Tunnels still looked this leisurely, I’d happily take them. They are a set of four tunnels through Elysian Park that opened in 1931, carrying northbound traffic on what is now the 110 Freeway aka the … Continue reading
Artist’s conception of the 101 Freeway with suspended monorail, 1954
Technically speaking, today’s photo is vintage – it’s from 1954 – but it’s more of an artist’s conception of what some Angelenos thought the 101 Freeway might look like in the future. Actually, I’m kind of surprised it didn’t happen. … Continue reading
Motorcade on a newly opened segment of the 101 Hollywood Freeway, 1950
A motorcade travels over a newly opened segment of the 101 Hollywood Freeway in 1950. The Queen of Angels Hospital shows us this was in the Echo Park segment of the 101. I look at this photo and can’t help … Continue reading
Aerial view of construction of the San Diego Freeway (405) is underway between Wilshire Blvd and Venice Blvd, Culver City, 1957
In this 1957 aerial view, we’re looking north toward Sepulveda Pass where construction of the San Diego Freeway (the 405) is underway. The strip of land down the center of the photo is the next section scheduled for construction between … Continue reading
Traffic jam on the 101 Freeway Silver Lake Boulevard off-ramp, 1951
I feel like I want to caption this one, “Yes, Virginia, there were traffic jams in Los Angeles in 1951.” In this shot, we’re looking at a not-so-great day for motorists taking the Silver Lake Boulevard exit off the Hollywood … Continue reading
Transporting an animatronic elephant from Disney’s Burbank studios to Disneyland for the Jungle Cruise, circa late 1960s
Here’s one for the “only in L.A.” file: a photo showing an animatronic elephant en route from Disney’s Burbank studios to Disneyland to be installed in the Jungle Cruise, circa late 1960s. I wonder if they did it on a … Continue reading
Guy changing the lights on the Hollywood Freeway, 1952
On the stretch of the Hollywood Freeway (the 101) heading into downtown, some guy has the unenviable job of changing the light bulbs on the street lamps. Mind you, with only 21 cars in sight (I counted them) I’d say … Continue reading
Hollywood Freeway grand opening, circa 1950
This photo was captioned “Hollywood Freeway – grand opening.” The freeways were opened in sections. With the Hollywood freeway, there were various openings between 1940 and 1968, so I thought maybe the “grand opening” was for the final stretch, but … Continue reading
The 101 Hollywood Freeway from the Vermont Ave Bridge, September 1951
This shot of the Hollywood Freeway was taken from the Vermont Ave Bridge in September 1951. LA’s freeways are such a part of the cityscape now, it’s hard to imagine them not being there, and if they are, to be … Continue reading