Random Shot, Downtown

Posted on February 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

 
Marsh_strong_nd_crop

Los Angeles Times file photo

I found this picture of the Marsh-Strong Building, at Spring, Main and 9th streets, while looking for something else. Isn’t it great?

1914_0207_marsh_strong

An ad for the opening in 1914.

Marsh_strong_nd_streetscape

Let’s take a closer look.

Marsh_strong_nd_men

Here are some men having a conversation. Notice the shutter speed is so slow that some people are just a blur. Also notice the early style streetlights.

Marsh_strong_nd_streetcar

Here’s a nice shot of the Brooklyn Avenue streetcar.
Marsh_strong_nd_bimini

That looks like an ad for the Bimini Baths.
Marsh_strong_nd_horse

In addition to the streetcar and a couple of automobiles, there’s a horse and buggy.
Marsh_strong_nd_roof

Notice the details on the roof. The sign consists of electric bulbs.

Marsh_strong_lions02

Why there are little lions all along the roof. Aren’t they cute?


 
Marsh_strong_nd_window_washers_2

Did you notice the window washers working on the fifth floor?

And what’s really great is that it’s still there.

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times
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5 Responses to Random Shot, Downtown

  1. Sam Flowers's avatar Sam Flowers says:
    February 9, 2009 at 9:10 am

    Notice also the semafore signals, probably for the streetcars. The control tower for them is also evident in the first photo. 1914 is before automatic traffic signals.

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  2. Nathan's avatar Nathan says:
    February 9, 2009 at 9:17 am

    Wow! Coolest photo ever. And look at that rooftop sign! What a magnificent building. This was a Frederick Dorn, who also did the Dyas Dept Store (which we now know as the Broadway Hollywood).
    Marsh & Strong were such A-1 realtors that they could afford to put up this building…who else would you go to when you needed a little bungalow? All that white enamel brick was made by the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Co.
    Drink all the punch you want!

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  3. Keren's avatar Keren says:
    February 9, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    Wow, I drive through there all the time. It’s so nice to know the history of some of these great LA buildings. I love it.

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  4. Joe Vogel's avatar Joe Vogel says:
    February 9, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    I wonder what “appropriate souvenir” guests got to take home with them, after hearing the Orchestral Music and drinking all the Punch they wanted? And I wonder who decided which Words to capitalize?

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  5. Nathan's avatar Nathan says:
    February 17, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    Don’t forget the date–Today!
    I’m surprised they didn’t un-capitalize the first “e” in “Everybody welcome.” Certainly they didn’t want the Anybody in everybody, did they? Would that be appropriate? Certainly not Appropriate.
    I really need the recipe for Punch. Is it made only from brand name ingredients? Did it involve the Magazine in some respect?

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