Category Archives: City Hall

Christmas, 1959

Posted on December 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Dec. 25, 1959: City Hall is lighted, as usual, for Christmas. The tradition was discontinued in the 1970s after a long court battle.

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Religion | Comments Off

51 Held in Gambling Raids

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Oh, Man” by Clare Briggs. Dec. 22, 1919: Detectives with the help of the “purity squad” raid several fan tan games and arrest 51 people. Notice the detectives’ names, especially that of McAfee, who is the infamous Guy McAfee. The … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, City Hall, Comics, LAPD, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Man Seeks Former Comrade in Arms

Posted on December 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Republicans hold a dinner in support of George A. Smith for mayor. Despite strong backing from The Times, Smith was defeated Dec. 8, 1909, by George Alexander. Alexander, in turn lost the mayor’s race to H.H. Rose in … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Politics | Comments Off

Dodgers Deliver Plans for Stadium

Posted on November 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 5, 1959: An artist’s concept of Dodger Stadium. Look at all the parking! "We have submitted plans for what we believe will be the most beautiful sports stadium in the world, in keeping with the best interest … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, broadcasting, City Hall, Dodgers, Richard Nixon, Sports, Television | 1 Comment

Council OKs Raises for Police, Firefighters; Union Effort Collapses

Posted on November 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Successful businessmen use the Dictaphone. Great lettering, no? Nov. 5, 1919: The City Council gives police officers and firefighters a raise and the attempts to unionize the Police Department collapse.

Posted in City Hall, LAPD, Politics, Science | Comments Off

Police Officers May Unionize

Posted on November 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Some aspects of being a parent haven’t changed! Nov. 4, 1919: An attempt is made to organize the Los Angeles Police Department under one of the railway workers’ unions. Over the years, there were several attempts to unionize … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD, Politics | Comments Off

Delay for Caryl Chessman

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 22, 1959: President Eisenhower transfers German rocket scientists led by Wernher von Braun from Army jurisdiction to NASA. Luau anyone? The Dodgers submitted a map for their Chavez Ravine ballpark and some of the features were downright headline grabbers. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Politics | 2 Comments

President Asks Court to Halt Steel Strike

Posted on October 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 20, 1959: No clemency for Caryl Chessman, governor says … Calling it a sad day for America, President Eisenhower tells the Justice Department to seek a federal injunction to halt a strike by the United Steelworkers of America. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Fashion | Comments Off

Residents Flee Big Tujunga Fire, Oct. 16, 1959

Posted on October 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 16, 1959: Mae West is censored … and Gov. Pat Brown hints that he may show mercy to Caryl Chessman. Audrey Hepburn in “The Nun’s Story.” Local freeways would need "major surgery" to handle the traffic from Dodger fans … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off

Police Raid Chinatown Gambling Operation

Posted on October 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 6, 1909: Police officers cross the roofs of buildings, using a ladder to span alleys, to raid a lottery operation in Chinatown. I suspect the Sgt. Sebastian mentioned in the story is future Police Chief and Mayor Charles … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, LAPD, Religion | Comments Off

Sox, Dodgers Ready for World Series

Posted on October 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 1, 1959: Dodgers vs. Sox in Chicago. http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.0.5.swf It was banner news in the Mirror-News but merited only a couple paragraphs in The Times. Depending on which newspaper you chose to believe, 1,500 angry Dodger fans stormed the Coliseum … Continue reading →

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

Groundbreaking for Dodger Stadium

Posted on September 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times Ground-breaking for Dodger Stadium at Chavez Ravine. President Eisenhower quietly told the world today he is just as confident of the verdict of history as Soviet Chairman Khrushchev. "He is always saying … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, City Hall, Comics, Dodgers, Downtown, Education, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off

Dangers of Police, Firefighters Unions

Posted on September 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Wonder What Venus de Milo Thinks About" by Clare Briggs. The Times editorializes against unions for police officers and firefighters, asking: "Shall we expect union firemen to put out union-set fires?" "Only a few days ago The Times called … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Comics, LAPD | Comments Off

Ike Rides Wave of Popularity; Dodgers Call Up Reinforcements

Posted on September 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 2, 1959: A story about President Eisenhower's European trip marking the 20th anniversary of Hitler's invasion of Poland notes that he remains popular. But look at what's happening in the country as Ike prepares to leave office: The prime … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, art and artists, City Hall, Comics, Dodgers, Downtown, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, LAPD, Music, Nightclubs, Politics, RFK, Venice Division | 2 Comments

Sleepwalker Falls From Streetcar

Posted on September 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 1, 1909: Edmund Walller "Ted" Gale draws former Mayor Harper on the witness stand. Francisco Tralenna breaks his arm while sleepwalking — on a streetcar. A runaway horse at 1st and Los Angeles streets leaves two men injured, including … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, Transportation | Comments Off

The Los Angeles Tribune Does Not Tell the Truth

Posted on August 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 30, 1889: Mrs. E.C. Freeman is moving her bakery to 339 S. Spring St. Harrison Gray Otis responds to an article in a rival paper: "The Los Angeles Tribune, as usual, does not tell the truth." The Tribune … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Environment, Politics | 1 Comment

Judge Bars Bus Strike; Giants Beat Dodgers

Posted on August 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 29, 1959: A judge's temporary restraining order prevents a bus and streetcar strike. Someone has a Cold War souvenir in the shed. Let's fire it up and see what happens. The threat of communist aggression casts a shadow over … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #Jazz, art and artists, City Hall, Comics, Dodgers, Film, Food and Drink, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Nightclubs, Politics, Religion, Transportation, Venice Division | Comments Off

Saving the Watts Towers

Posted on August 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Simon Rodia (or Rodilla as The Times referred to him in early stories) with his creation in 1952. By Devon McReynolds On a recent smoldering Tuesday afternoon, I visited the Watts Towers for the … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, City Hall | 2 Comments

Chief Abolishes Vice Squad

Posted on August 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 17, 1939: USC football player Al Kreuger keeps in shape over the summer by milking cows. Above, in a radical move, Police Chief Arthur C. Hohmann abolishes the LAPD's vice squad and transfers all the officers to other divisions. … Continue reading →

Posted in #opera, Animals, City Hall, classical music, Comics, Downtown, LAPD, Sports | 1 Comment

Voters Approve Bonds to Buy Water Company