Category Archives: City Hall

February 5, 2009: Burbank Time Capsule Revisited

Posted on March 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Cinda Cates, Burbank public information specialist, passes along the images that were recovered from the 1959 time capsule placed in the Magnolia Boulevard Bridge. The anonymous photographer recorded the city’s civic buildings (City Hall, a fire station, etc.) and took … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Architecture, City Hall, Education, Environment, Film, Freeways, Real Estate, San Fernando Valley, Science, Transportation | 3 Comments

Mystics Predict the ‘Big One’ Will Destroy California; Dodger Recalls Negro Leagues, March 12, 1969

Posted on March 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

L.A. is doomed! … Again! "The most knowledgeable scientists say not only inconceivable but ridiculous." Above, Mama Cass sings "California Earthquake," one of the tunes inspired by the notion that a huge quake was about to destroy the state. Another … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Front Pages, Religion, Sports | Comments Off on Mystics Predict the ‘Big One’ Will Destroy California; Dodger Recalls Negro Leagues, March 12, 1969

Opening Statements in Sirhan Trial; Injured Angel Makes Comeback, February 14, 1969

Posted on February 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

The prosecution makes opening statements in the trial of Sirhan B. Sirhan in the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Out of curiosity, how many Daily Mirror readers would be interested in following his trial? I hadn’t planned on it, but … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, broadcasting, City Hall, Environment, Film, Front Pages, health, Hollywood, Politics, RFK, Sports | 3 Comments

Bunker Hill Project; Dodger Stadium Criticized, February 10, 1959

Posted on February 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

Plans for the Bunker Hill area, which was declared a slum in 1949–and provided a location for many classic noir films. The same area via Google Earth. The "Dream City" from 1st Street to 5th Street and the Harbor Freeway … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Politics, Transportation | Comments Off on Bunker Hill Project; Dodger Stadium Criticized, February 10, 1959

Trial of Former Mayor’s Aide to Begin, Feburary 7, 1939

Posted on February 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

It’s a bit hard to tell from reference photographs, but I believe this is a Lockheed Hudson being assembled in Burbank. Trial of Joe Shaw, brother of recalled Mayor Frank Shaw, on 66 counts of altering public records. Fire Department … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, broadcasting, City Hall, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Music, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Trial of Former Mayor’s Aide to Begin, Feburary 7, 1939

The Ghosts of Wrigley Field, January 24, 1969

Posted on January 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Hal Moulin / Los Angeles Times Wrigley Field, Oct. 3, 1944, as the San Francisco Seals defeat the L.A. Angels. "Roadside Baseball" looksat Wrigley Field John Hall wrote a couple of columns bidding farewell to Los Angeles’ Wrigley … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Columnists, Dodgers, Downtown, Sports | 3 Comments

Jerry Lewis Plays First Base for Dodgers, January 18, 1959

Posted on January 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

I’m sure there’s a joke here someplace. The Times’ political power broker Kyle Palmer writes a glowing piece about biographies of Eisenhower and Nixon.    On the comics page, Stephen F. Austin straightens out some pesky Indians and Delilah gets … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Current Affairs, Dodgers, Downtown, Sports | Comments Off on Jerry Lewis Plays First Base for Dodgers, January 18, 1959

Dodger Stadium — and a Zoo, January 15, 1959

Posted on January 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

A mail bomb loaded with dynamite sits in the post office for three weeks because the victim didn’t leave a forwarding address! Fresh off an apparent victory in getting a downtown stadium for the Dodgers, some City Council members moved … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Sports | 1 Comment

California Supreme Court OKs Dodger Deal, January 14, 1959

Posted on January 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

A federal grand jury in Los Angeles will investigate organized crime. The state Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the Dodgers and City Hall, moving plans for a baseball stadium in Chavez Ravine one huge step closer to reality. … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Front Pages, Politics, Sports | 2 Comments

December 29, 1938: Bookie shot to death in Hollywood

Posted on December 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

By the end of 1938, Weldon sensed that he was a marked man and that death was not far off. He could have stayed out of Los Angeles and maybe he would have lived–at least for a while. But he … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, City Hall, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Holiday greetings

Posted on December 25, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Merry Christmas from the Daily Mirror!

Posted in Architecture, City Hall, Downtown | Comments Off on Holiday greetings

Mayor refuses to give Senate committee secret files on LAPD funds, December 9, 1938

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles sizzles at 92 degrees and thousands of beach-goers went into the ocean, even though it was 64 degrees. The Soviet weather bureau says the North Pole has been warming up for the last 10 years. Octopus saves student … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Politics, Sports | 2 Comments

Nazi SS troops kill wealthy Jews in orgy of murder, November 23, 1938

Posted on November 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

Death at Sachsenhausen. These old papers are full of ugly stereotypes, but this one makes a powerful contrast with the Holocaust coverage. The Times publishes a United Press story based a London News Chronicle account. The report says a group … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, City Hall, Countdown to Watts, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD | 2 Comments

Found on EBay — streetcar photo

Posted on November 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

Here’s a nice sharp image of a streetcar passing City Hall. It’s been listed on EBay with a starting bid of $5.

Posted in City Hall, Transportation | 1 Comment

Police chief quits; Nazi fears drive Jews to suicide, November 17, 1938

Posted on November 17, 2008 by lmharnisch

Voice of executed man speaks from Tijuana grave. At left, the current film "The Citadel," with Rosalind Russell and Robert Donat. Police Chief James Davis, who figured in the Gordon Northcott "Changeling" case, says he’s stepping down to protect his … Continue reading →

Posted in Changeling, City Hall, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Sports | Comments Off on Police chief quits; Nazi fears drive Jews to suicide, November 17, 1938

November 8, 1938: Polish Jew shoots Nazi envoy

Posted on November 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

In Paris, Herschel Grynszpan, identified as a 17-year-old Polish Jew, shoots the third secretary of the German Embassy, Ernst von Rath.

Posted in City Hall, Current Affairs, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Sports | Comments Off on November 8, 1938: Polish Jew shoots Nazi envoy

Black Dahlia

Posted on November 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Steve Hodel’s "Black Dahlia Avenger," inscribed to James Ellroy, as listed on EBay for $19.99, in 2006. Steve Hodel is bringing his "Black Dahlia Avenger" presentation to the South Pasadena Public Library at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, City Hall, Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 3 Comments

Nuestro Pueblo — Little Tokyo, November 7, 1938

Posted on November 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, 314 E. 1st St. in 1938 and, below, via Google maps’ street view. Pharmacist Shiro Nakamura graduated from USC in 1909. According to California death records, he was born in Japan in Sept. 1, 1892, and died in Orange … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo — Little Tokyo, November 7, 1938

Changeling stories — Part III

Posted on October 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Tony Rivetti Jr. / Universal PicturesAbove, Colm Feore as Police Chief James Davis, “Changeling,” set in 1928. Los Angeles Times file photoAbove, Police Chief James Davis, 1926. Northcott signs confession. I don’t care much for the press passes … Continue reading →

Posted in Changeling, City Hall, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 1 Comment

October 28, 1938: Mayor investigates honorary LAPD badges

Posted on October 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, Police Chief James Davis turns over a list of more than 7,800 people who have received honorary badges from the Los Angeles Police Department. Recipients include Shirley Temple, Clark Gable, Louis B. Mayer, Joe E. Brown, King Vidor, Bela … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics | 1 Comment