Tag Archives: Hotels
Passengers riding the Thompson Switchback Gravity Railroad from the Arcadia Hotel into Santa Monica, California, circa 1887
The building in the background of this circa 1887 photo was the Arcadia, a luxury-for-the-time oceanfront hotel in Santa Monica (open from 1886 to 1909) on Ocean Ave between Colorado Ave and what is now known as Pico Blvd. In … Continue reading
Out on the town with “Out with the Stars” exhibit
A couple of months ago, I went to a marvelous exhibit at the Hollywood Heritage museum called Meet The Stars: 100 Years of MGM Studios and the Golden Age of Hollywood. It was so fascinating that when the museum announced … Continue reading
Looking west along Hollywood Blvd toward the Knickerbocker Hotel and the Guaranty building, Hollywood, circa late 1920s
Very little information came with this photo so I had to dig a little deeper on this one. Those two buildings in the background are the Guaranty building on the left and the Knickerbocker Hotel on the right. They stand … Continue reading
A streetcar runs past Pershing Square at the intersection of 6th and Hill Streets, downtown Los Angeles circa 1920s
In this wonderfully atmospheric shot, some quick-minded photographer captured a streetcar running through the intersection of 6th and Hill Streets in downtown Los Angeles. Those trees behind it are in Pershing Square, and behind them is the Biltmore Hotel. The … Continue reading
Color photo of the now-dingy entrance to the once-stately Angelus Hotel at Spring and Fourth Sts, downtown Los Angeles, 1956
I had never heard of the Angelus Hotel before I came across this sadly atmospheric photo taken in 1956, just before it was torn down. The hotel stood on the southwest corner of Spring and 4th Streets and opened for … Continue reading
Camel Inn, 5732 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, circa 1927
Back in the 1920s, apparently all you had to do was put up a life-sized camel out of the front of your house and you get to call yourself the Camel Inn. I found a listing for Camel Inn at … Continue reading
Two people play golf at night in an empty field east of Vine St, Hollywood, circa early 1930s.png
I have very little information about this shot of two people playing golf at night, but triangulating the neon signs of the Hollywood Plaza Hotel, the Broadway-Hollywood department store, and the Pantages Theatre, I’d say it was taken somewhere near … Continue reading
Color photo of the Cocoanut Grove nightclub at the Ambassador Hotel, Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 1950
I doubt that I’ll ever tire of finding new-to-me photos of the Cocoanut Grove nightclub at the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Blvd, especially if they’re in color. This photo is dated 1950, and I’m wondering if it was taken after … Continue reading
Looking southeast down Rodeo Dr from Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, 1932
In this photo we’re looking southeast down Rodeo Dr from Santa Monica Blvd in Beverly Hills. It was taken in 1932, back when Rodeo Dr. wasn’t home to blocks of high-end stores that 99% of people can’t afford. It was … Continue reading
Looking west along Ventura Blvd at the Topper Motel at 11733 Ventura, Studio City in the San Fernando Valley, 1950.jpg
If you’re going to call yourself the Topper Motel, of course you’re going to have a big top hat as your welcome sign. This place was at 11733 Ventura, Studio City in the San Fernando Valley. And if that sign … Continue reading