Random Shot — 1911

Posted on February 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los_angeles_trust_savings

Los Angeles Times file photo

I found this picture of the Los Angeles Trust and Savings Building and thought it would be fun to explore. It’s from about 1911.

Los_angeles_trust_savings_streetsca

On closer examination, we find an interesting array of transportation: Horse-drawn vehicles, autos, pedestrians, a streetcar and (at least I think) bicycles on the other side of the streetcar. It’s a bit hard to tell, but the sign on the streetcar apparently says "University & Central." Five modes of transportation and no traffic control.
Trust_savings_bank_1911_0924_sign

All-night banking was evidently popular, according to The Times. There certainly are a lot of chimneys on that building.

Trust_savings_bank_1911_0924_car

Maybe it’s the angle, but it looks as though the car’s steering wheel is in the center rather than on the left. Maybe some expert on horseless carriages can help us out. It also looks like there’s a toolbox on the left running board. What’s this? No spare tires in the front fenders or on the back–notice, no bumper.  Also notice the old-style streetlight. I wonder what the horse is tied to to keep it from walking (or running) away. Sometimes there were big iron rings in the sidewalk.

Trust_savings_bank_1911_0924_car02

Another touring car–notice that there’s no traffic control at this corner.

Trust_savings_bank_1911_0924_ladies

And here are some ladies out for a stroll in their hats and long skirts.



And this is the building at Spring and 6th streets today.
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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times
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5 Responses to Random Shot — 1911

  1. Charles Kjelland's avatar Charles Kjelland says:
    February 25, 2009 at 7:00 am

    Steering wheel on car is probably on right side, like the cars in England.

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  2. Bob Duvall's avatar Bob Duvall says:
    February 25, 2009 at 7:22 am

    How old is that brown building across the street?
    Look at the “rickety” fire-escape.
    Nice pictures.

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  3. Sam Flowers's avatar Sam Flowers says:
    February 25, 2009 at 7:51 am

    Most cars of that era were with right hand steering. No traffic control as there were no automatic signals then. A Policeman may be directing traffic but out of the picture.

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  4. Charles Kjelland's avatar Charles Kjelland says:
    February 25, 2009 at 8:50 am

    Further research indicates Fords had RH steering until 1908, and Cadillac as late as 1916

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  5. MIKE SCANLON's avatar MIKE SCANLON says:
    February 25, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    Regarding the car in this stree scene: The steering wheel is really on the right side. Its just the angle of the picture. And steering wheels in that era were huge. It also looks like there was a mount for a spare tire on the rear of the car about halfway down the rear panel. He might have had to use it recently and is waiting for his tire to be repaired/replaced. And finally, tool boxes were fairly common on running boards back in those days. Everything was far simpler to work on as compared to today’s computer driven and operated cars. I sometimes miss my hammer and screwdriver for simple repairs.

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