Tag Archives: Memetic architecture
Mother Goose Pantry restaurant, 1959 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, as seen in MGM’s “Los Angeles: Wonder City of the West” Fitzpatrick’s Traveltalks short (1935).
I was recently watching an old movie on TCM, and after the closing credits ran, a Technicolor short from MGM started playing. It was from the popular travelogue series, called “Fitzpatrick’s Traveltalks.” The series goes all over the world, but … Continue reading
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Tagged Color photo, Memetic architecture, MGM, Movie Studios, Pasadena, Restaurants
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Big Red Piano in front of the California Piano Supply Co, 2251 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, circa 1930
When a chiropractor named Dr. Ashley Manning opened the California Piano Supply Co. at 2251 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles in 1927, he knew that he’d need to do something bold if he was going to attract customers into his store, … Continue reading
The Tamale restaurant, 6421 Whittier Blvd, East Los Angeles, circa late 1920s
If you’re in the mood for a tamale, why would you go anywhere but a restaurant shaped like a tamale? The Tamale opened at 6421 Whittier Blvd in East Los Angeles in 1928, where they offered not just tamales and … Continue reading
Sphinx Realty office, 537 N. Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, circa 1924
I don’t know about you, but personally, I would be dubious about buying a house through a reality company who operated out of an office shaped like the Egyptian Sphinx—even if the name of that company was called Sphinx Realty. … Continue reading
The Orange Inn, 146 E. Foothill Blvd, Arcadia, California, 1924
Southern California Marketing 101: If you’re going to sell oranges, build a big orange. This roadside stand stood on Foothill Blvd in Monrovia (east of Pasadena) in the 1920 – this photo was taken in 1924. As we can see … Continue reading
The Igloo ice cream store, 4302 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, circa 1928
If you’re going to open an ice cream store, why wouldn’t you build it in the form of an igloo? Makes perfect sense to me. The Igloo ice cream store stood at 4302 West Pico Boulevard, not too far from … Continue reading
Chapman’s Fancy Ice Creams, Los Angeles, circa early 1930s
If you’re going to open an ice cream store in Los Angeles, of course you’re going to build it in the shape of an iceberg with a chimney on top. Especially if you’re going to label your product “fancy” because … Continue reading
Betsy Ann, ice cream and candy shop, Los Angeles, circa late 1930s
I found precious little information about this remarkable construction so I’m not even sure that the meager facts I did find are correct. But it looks like this ice cream and candy shop made in the shape of a woman … Continue reading
Wilshire Coffee Pot cafe, 8601 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, circa 1925
What better shape for a café than a coffee pot? In this circa 1925 photo, we’re treated to the Wilshire Coffee Pot café at 8601 Wilshire Blvd on the northwest corner of Stanley Drive in Beverly Hills. The sign reads: … Continue reading
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Tagged Beverly Hills, Memetic architecture, Restaurants, Wilshire Blvd
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The Hollywood Flower Pot florist, 1124 N. Vine St, Hollywood, 1920s
Hollywood has never been known for its subtly, as evidenced by this 1920s store. People passing by the Hollywood Flower Pot florist at 1124 N. Vine Street (southeast corner of Banner Ave) would never have been confused by what was … Continue reading