Category Archives: Architecture

Coming Attractions — ‘Hollywoodland’

Posted on May 6, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Readers will recognize Mary Mallory as a leading member of the Daily Mirror’s “brain trust.” She’s a photo librarian at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and in her spare time, she has been writing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, books, Film, Hollywood, Real Estate | 4 Comments

Blogger’s holiday

Posted on April 22, 2011 by lmharnisch

    I’m on vacation this week, so posting will be light.   

Posted in 1882, Architecture, art and artists | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, April 14, 1941

Posted on April 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

            April 14, 1961: One of the joys of these old newspapers is stumbling across an undiscovered gem, and Tom Treanor has one today: An interview with Paul Revere Williams, the famous African American architect. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Architecture, art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Tom Treanor | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, April 14, 1941

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, April 2, 1941

Posted on April 2, 2011 by lmharnisch

        April 2, 1941: Tom Treanor talks to Richard Neutra about a 300-unit housing development he designed for a community outside Dallas.  Betty Grable tells Jimmie Fidler: “Any girl in the Hollywood spotlight is handicapped in the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Architecture, art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Tom Treanor | 1 Comment

Architectural Ramblings — The Sowden House

Posted on March 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Drawing by Charles Owens/Los Angeles Times   The Sowden House by architect Lloyd Wright at 5121 Franklin Ave. is on the market for $4.2 million. You may recall that this was the purported murder HQ of Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1947, Architecture, art and artists, books, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo, Real Estate | 1 Comment

Chicken Boy

Posted on March 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Bruce Cox/Los Angeles Times Feb. 5, 1970: Behold the wonder of Chicken Boy on the roof of a restaurant on Broadway near 5th Street in downtown Los Angeles. In 1977, Art Seidenbaum looked at oversized signs as part … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970, 1977, Architecture, art and artists, Art Seidenbaum, Downtown, Food and Drink, Photography | 2 Comments

Architectural Ramblings, March 5, 1911

Posted on March 5, 2011 by lmharnisch

                236 Adelaide Drive via Google maps’ street view.     March 5, 1911: The Times features the new home of Los Angeles capitalist Isaac Milbank at 236 Adelaide Drive, Santa Monica. According … Continue reading →

Posted in 1911, Architecture, Obituaries | 2 Comments

Upton Sinclair House for Sale

Posted on March 2, 2011 by lmharnisch

          Photo courtesy of Cecilia Farnum, Century 21     The Upton Sinclair House at 464 N. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia has been listed for sale at $1.5 million. The 1923 home was designed by Frederick H. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1923, 1943, Architecture, art and artists, books, Obituaries | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on January 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo [Update: This truly is a mystery photo. It was taken near Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards and the set of “Intolerance” is in the background but there’s no information on what is occurring in the photo, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 17 Comments

Found on EBay – Oviatt’s

Posted on December 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

This unusual Oviatt item has already been sold but it’s worth noting because it’s quite unusual. Marc Chevalier says: The elusive "Alexander & Oviatt" Swiss clock. I've seen three others identical to it: all were once owned by James Oviatt's … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Oviatt’s

What to See in L.A., 1924

Posted on December 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

      I don’t post much on the 1920s (so many stories, only one Larry Harnisch) but I stumbled across this feature page when looking for something else and found several interesting pieces. The first is a long interview … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Downtown, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on What to See in L.A., 1924

Art Exhibit Features Paul Revere Williams

Posted on October 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   The Art Museum at the University of Memphis has opened an exhibition on the works of Los Angeles architect Paul Revere Williams, above left, with champion prizefighter Joe Louis in 1960. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Obituaries, Photography, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Art Exhibit Features Paul Revere Williams

L.A.’s Dream Airport Nearing Reality

Posted on October 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Oct. 10, 1960: The Times takes a look at construction of Los Angeles’ Jet Age airport. The “Theme Building” will resemble a giant flying saucer and there will be a monorail called the Skylift to whisk passengers from … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Comics, Transportation, travel | 2 Comments

Clarence Darrow at the Higgins Building

Posted on September 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Landmark alert! Clarence Darrow had an office on the ninth floor of the Higgins Building, in the southwest corner, on the west side of the hall.  –People vs. Clarence Darrow, Page 721.

Posted in #courts, 1910 L.A. Times bombing, Architecture | 3 Comments

The Times Eagle [Updated]

Posted on September 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 5, 1891: The Times Eagle is installed on the roof of Times Building No. 2 at First Street and Broadway on Dec. 5, 1891, after being made by the J.L. Mott Iron Works of Chicago and brought to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910 L.A. Times bombing, Architecture, art and artists | Comments Off on The Times Eagle [Updated]

Fragments of History

Posted on September 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

Feb. 5, 1896: The Times published a line drawing of its  counter, which in true Victorian fashion, was made from an array of historic artifacts: Wood from Union and Confederate ships, a piece of the famous Aliso tree that was … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910 L.A. Times bombing, Architecture, art and artists | 1 Comment

Found on EBay – Batchelder Tile

Posted on September 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Perhaps the most common examples of Batchelder tile to turn up on EBay are pieces from the Mayan series. Someone has listed what appears to be most, if not all, of an entire fireplace set. Bidding starts at $9.99.

Posted in Architecture, art and artists | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Batchelder Tile

Coming Soon — Los Angeles Plays Itself

Posted on September 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Los Angeles Plays Itself” will be shown will be shown Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave. at 14th Street in Santa Monica. Director Thom Andersen will be speaking about the film after Sunday's … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Coming Soon — Los Angeles Plays Itself

Found on EBay – Batchelder Tile

Posted on August 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

This Batchelder tile of a peacock at left has been listed on EBay. Interestingly enough, it’s a different design than these two at the right, which were listed earlier.  Bidding on the tile at left starts at $100.  As with … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Batchelder Tile

Paul Coates and Matt Weinstock, Aug. 13, 1960

Posted on August 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

Aug. 13, 1960: Paul Coates gets a letter from Parkey Sharkey, who is looking for money to publish his book.  Architect Henry Drefuss has designed a $1,000 newsstand to go with his new California Bank Building at 6th and Spring, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates and Matt Weinstock, Aug. 13, 1960