Category Archives: Architecture

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on September 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 1, 1919: "The World and Its Woman" with Geraldine Farrar and her husband, Lou Tellegen, premieres at Clune's Auditorium, 5th Street and Olive. Clune's became "Philharmonic Auditorium" about 1920.  Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton in "Back Stage" and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Mystery Observatory Photo — Update

Posted on September 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Cary Schneider and Robin Mayper of The Times library were going through our photos of observatories yesterday looking for pictures of Mt. Wilson and came across this unlabeled item. It appears to have been taken … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Education, Science | 2 Comments

Artist’s Notebook — Pasadena City Hall

Posted on August 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Pasadena City Hall by Marion Eisenmann, Sept. 6, 2008 Marion sends her impressions of this Pasadena landmark, which was closed for a major restoration and renovation after being badly damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake and the 1991 Sierra Madre … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Marion Eisenmann | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Batchelder Pot

Posted on August 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

We usually associate the Batchelder name with tile, although the Los Angeles company also produced ceramic items such as bookends. Here's a Batchelder pot that has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $200.

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Artist’s Notebook — Olvera Street

Posted on August 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Olvera Street by Marion Eisenmann, Aug. 8, 2009 To visit the old Plaza is to stand at the crossroads of the city's past and present — and maybe even its future. I wonder what the preservationists who envisioned "a Mexican … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Downtown, Marion Eisenmann, Music, Nuestro Pueblo, Religion | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Batchelder Tile

Posted on August 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

This Batchelder tile of a peacock has been listed on EBay. This is evidently one of the more unusual designs — at least I've never seen it before. Bidding starts at $99.

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Found on EBay — Temple B’nai B’rith

Posted on August 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

A postcard of Temple B'nai B'rith, a wonderful building at Hope and 9th streets, has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $2.99.

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Religion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Temple B’nai B’rith

Found on EBay — Batchelder Tile

Posted on August 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

This rather remarkable Batchelder tile of St. George and the dragon has been listed on EBay. It's got a fairly big nick, so I'm not sure you'd want to buy it (especially with bids starting at $100) but I'm posting … Continue reading →

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Artist’s Notebook — Union Station

Posted on August 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Union Station by Marion Eisenmann, Aug, 8, 2009 Marion sends her impressions of Union Station, the crossroads for countless travelers since it opened in 1939. Think of how many people have rushed through the station to catch their train — … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Downtown, Marion Eisenmann, Nuestro Pueblo, Transportation, travel | Comments Off on Artist’s Notebook — Union Station

Angeles Abbey Mausoleum

Posted on August 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 8, 1929: Angeles Abbey Mausoleum James Curtis writes: Gee–Preston Sturges and Angeles Abbey on the same page! I grew up in Compton, and the sight of that mausoleum is one of my most vivid childhood memories. I was never on … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, books, Obituaries | 3 Comments

Found on EBay — Angeles Abbey Mausoleum

Posted on August 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

I had never heard of Angeles Abbey Mausoleum in Compton before I found this brochure listed on EBay. My first reaction was horrified glee that something like this ever got built — followed quickly by the question: Is it still … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Oriental Rugs

Posted on August 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Ever wonder where wealthy Angelenos got those Oriental rugs? Some of them came from A.M. Enfiajian, 516 S. Hill St. Bidding starts at $7.99.

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Oriental Rugs

Artist’s Notebook — Vista del Arroyo Hotel

Posted on August 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Vista del Arroyo Hotel by Marion Eisenmann, July 31, 2009 This week, Marion Eisenmann sends a view from the Rose Bowl of one of Pasadena's old landmarks, the former Vista del Arroyo Hotel, which houses the Southern California headquarters of … Continue reading →

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11-Room House for $76,000

Posted on July 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 26, 1899: Reynolds Bros. built this house for $3,000 — $76,646.97 USD 2008.  

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Nuestro Pueblo — Gage Mansion

Posted on July 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 24, 1939: Gov. Henry T. Gage's home was such a well-known landmark that The Times rarely said where it was in writing about it during his term in office, from 1899 to 1903. The answer is yes, the Gage … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Music, Nuestro Pueblo, Politics, Stage | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo — Gage Mansion

Architectural Rambling — Pasadena

Posted on July 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 2, 1917: Architect Frederick C. Grable dies of anemia. Photo courtesy of Ray Combs / Dilbeck GMAC Real Estate A 1914 home at 888 S. Madison Ave. in Pasadena, designed by Frederick C. Grable and Clarence C. Austin, has … Continue reading →

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New Theater Planned for Plaza

Posted on July 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 21, 1889: Plans for a new theater on the Plaza … and a nasty dispute between a landlady and her tenant. He won't pay the bill or move. "Tracy, on his side, says that Mrs. Fuller was very abusive … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Architecture, Downtown, Stage | 1 Comment

Artist’s Notebook — Pasadena Ice Skating Center

Posted on July 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Pasadena Ice Skating Center by Marion Eisenmann, July 17, 2009. Young skater Emma Linde puts on a show. Los Angeles has had a hot spell for the last week so I gave Marion a list of alternatives to Travel Town, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Marion Eisenmann, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off on Artist’s Notebook — Pasadena Ice Skating Center

Found on EBay — Main Street at Night

Posted on July 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

This is a great image — a moody view of Main Street at night. You can almost hear the hollow clopping of horses' hooves and the bell of a streetcar up the block. Makes you wonder what might be happening … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Downtown | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Main Street at Night

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: The Follies Closes

Posted on July 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 20, 1942: The Follies Theater, 327 S. Main St., which was once the Belasco, closes. I have another address for the Belasco of 335 S. Main, which I'm guessing was part of the same building. Update: Michael, you raise … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Architecture, Downtown, Stage | 4 Comments