Category Archives: Architecture

Hollis Mulwray House – Update

Posted on September 25, 2013 by lmharnisch

Here’s an update on renovations at the Hollis Mulwray house from “Chinatown.” The last time I posted a photo it looked like this.

Posted in 1974, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Preservation | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Angels Flight — Another View

Posted on September 17, 2013 by lmharnisch

This postcard complements the Rediscovering Los Angeles post on Angels Flight. It’s postmarked 1904 and photo was taken from Spring Street looking toward the 3rd Street tunnel.  Bidding starts at $5.

Posted in 1914, Architecture, Broadway, Downtown, Found on EBay, Spring Street, Theaters | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Rediscovering Los Angeles — And Timothy Turner

Posted on September 17, 2013 by lmharnisch

I have had a copy of this drawing over my desk for years as a reminder that I really ought to write a series of posts on the subject. This is the first in a series of columns featuring Charles … Continue reading →

Posted in 1935, Architecture, Art & Artists, Columnists, Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Downtown L.A. — Street Artist (Updated)

Posted on September 4, 2013 by lmharnisch

I came across this street artist last evening while walking in downtown Los Angeles. He’s painting a street scene of the corner of Broadway and 7th Street. Update: Ed Fuentes identifies our artist: “Alex Schaefer. And he has a show … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013, Architecture, Art & Artists, Broadway, Downtown | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mason Opera House – a Lost Landmark

Posted on September 2, 2013 by lmharnisch

Downtown hipsters know the spot at 1st Street and Broadway as a big hole in the ground, where construction seems to be getting underway. More mature Angelenos may recall the 1950s Cold War monstrosity that was demolished after being damaged … Continue reading →

Posted in 1913, Architecture, Broadway, Downtown, Found on EBay, Preservation, Theaters | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — The Three Lives Of Villa Aurora

Posted on September 2, 2013 by lmharnisch

Cats have nine lives. People often experience second or third acts in their lives or careers. Some homes have multiple lives as well, like Villa Aurora, which has experienced three diverse lives, bringing knowledge and refuge to those who come … Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, Architecture, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Spring Street — 1907

Posted on September 1, 2013 by lmharnisch

  If this image looking south on Spring Street on this 1907 postcard looks unfamiliar, there’s a reason. Most of the buildings are gone and Spring Street was straightened out to make way for City Hall. The postcard is listed … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Architecture, Downtown, Found on EBay, Spring Street, Streetcars | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood Studio Club Provides Home For Movie-Struck Girls

Posted on August 26, 2013 by lmharnisch

The Studio Club in Photoplay, 1917. T he advent of the 20th century offered the possibility of more freedom and opportunity for women. For decades, women had advocated for the right to vote, led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan … Continue reading →

Posted in 1916, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Random Shot — Drawing Downtown Los Angeles

Posted on August 15, 2013 by lmharnisch

This young woman attracted several observers as she stood on 6th Street just west of Spring — near the Starbucks — on  Wednesday evening to sketch the streetscape. I didn’t want to interrupt her to ask her name. All I … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013, Architecture, Art & Artists, Downtown, Photography, Spring Street | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Arabella Huntington Marries Nephew in Paris

Posted on July 17, 2013 by lmharnisch

The Times takes a dim view of Mexican revolutionaries.   July 17, 1913: Arabella D. Huntington, widow of the late Collis P. Huntington, marries his nephew, Henry E. Huntington, in Paris at the American Church in the Rue de Berri.  … Continue reading →

Posted in 1913, Architecture, Art & Artists, Broadway, Downtown, History, Suicide | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Arabella Huntington Marries Nephew in Paris

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywoodland Sign Premieres November 1923

Posted on July 13, 2013 by lmharnisch

Jan. 6, 1924: The Times publishes a photo of an Oakland car that was driven up to the Hollywood sign. Parade magazine claimed in its July 7, 2013, issue that the completed Hollywoodland sign premiered July 13, 1923, but provided … Continue reading →

Posted in 1923, 1924, Architecture, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Loew’s State Theater Under Construction

Posted on July 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

This 1921 architectural photo of Loew’s State Theater under construction at 7th Street and Broadway has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $24. Notice the signage for Bullock’s in the background.

Posted in 1921, Architecture, Broadway, Downtown, Found on EBay, Theaters | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Loew’s State Theater Under Construction

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights – Hamburger’s Department Store, Arrow Movie Theater

Posted on July 8, 2013 by lmharnisch

A postcard of Hamburger’s Department Store is listed on EBay as Buy It Now for $2.99. The classy, oversize May Co. Department Store located at 801 S. Broadway in downtown Los Angeles is up for sale. Today, the mostly empty … Continue reading →

Posted in 1908, Architecture, Broadway, Downtown, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Theaters | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Einar Petersen Mural From the Rosslyn Hotel — Found on EBay

Posted on June 23, 2013 by lmharnisch

An Einar Petersen mural from the Rosslyn Hotel. A vendor on EBay has listed what is apparently one of Einar Petersen’s long-lost murals from the Rosslyn Hotel — in rather sorry condition. The price is Buy It Now for $5,000. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1915, Architecture, Art & Artists, Downtown, Hollywood Heights, Main Street, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights – Pasadena’s Colorado Street Bridge Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Posted on June 17, 2013 by lmharnisch

The city of Pasadena will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the gorgeous Colorado Street Bridge on Saturday, June 22, 2013, one of the outstanding historic cultural monuments of the city. Built to serve a basic utilitarian purpose, the bridge … Continue reading →

Posted in 1913, Architecture, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Pasadena | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood’s Little Country Church – Emblem of Bygone Days

Posted on May 27, 2013 by lmharnisch

Throughout its history, the city of Hollywood has seen much come and go in the name of “progress.” Instead of remodeling and reusing a historic structure, as is done in Europe or the East Coast, most builders simply tear down … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Radio, Religion | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Harold Lloyd on Location: Santa Fe Station

Posted on May 25, 2013 by lmharnisch

John Bengston emailed the other day to mention his research on Harold Lloyd’s filming locations in conjunction with the recent Lloyd festival on TCM. John pointed out that “Safety Last” and “Cops” used the same alley. I DVR’d just about … Continue reading →

Posted in 1921, Architecture, Location Sleuth, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Random Shot – DTLA

Posted on April 17, 2013 by lmharnisch

The things you see in downtown Los Angeles.

Posted in Architecture, Broadway, Downtown | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Mack Sennett and Studio City’s Central Motion Picture District

Posted on April 15, 2013 by lmharnisch

  Eighty-five years ago, the Mack Sennett Studio opened at 4024 N. Radford in Studio City. The studio functioned as a magnet in hopes of drawing other film production companies and studios to the surrounding land owned by Central Motion … Continue reading →

Posted in 1927, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywoodland Opens

Posted on April 1, 2013 by lmharnisch

By the early 1920s, real estate development was booming all around Los Angeles. For decades, the city had boldly advertised itself as a mecca in which average citizens could earn their share of the American dream under glorious sunshine and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1923, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywoodland Opens