Category Archives: Downtown

Theater Planned for 7th and Broadway

Posted on January 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

An artist’s early concept of the building planned for 7th and Broadway. Nov. 21, 1921: The interior of Loew’s State Theater. Jan. 6, 1920: A theater and office building are planned for 7th Street and Broadway, “the most valuable corner … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off

Portrait of the City

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 1, 1920: “Long ribbons of automobiles of all sorts and conditions enter the business sections and disappear in the neighborhood parking stations and garages. The banks open their doors, the stores become filled with employees and customers. Activity everywhere. … Continue reading →

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Los Angeles County Plans Nation’s Finest Highway System

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 1, 1910: The Autoist’s Paradise. On Jan. 1, The Times published its annual Midwinter Edition. One of the articles featured plans for an extensive new system of highways that would benefit ranchers shipping goods to market, motor vehicles … Continue reading →

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Man’s Skull Fractured in Assault

Posted on December 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 31, 1909: Former stockbroker Henry SO. Clark is hospitalized after hitting his head on the pavement at Spring and 9th streets when a man struck him for talking to his wife.

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No Gunfire for New Year’s Eve

Posted on December 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

Joseph’s has a sale on Stickley furniture! Dec. 30, 1909: Rules for New Year’s Eve – No slapping of people on the back, no rude jostling, no disrespectful address of persons one does not know. Most important, “no discharging of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Fashion, LAPD | Comments Off

Minister Vanishes After Predicting Christ’s Return on Christmas Day

Posted on December 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 27, 1909: A mob in Hurley, Va., lynches Henry Pennington after he killed Samuel Baker, who was on his way to a Christmas program with his family. Pennington had run away, but Baker’s wife tricked him into coming back … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Downtown, Food and Drink, LAPD | Comments Off

Fire Roars Through Lumber Yard, Threatens Homes

Posted on December 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 20, 1909: A fire apparently started by a homeless person roars through a lumber yard and a factory that made doors and window sashes, spreading to an adjoining rooming house and a home. About 50 horses were … Continue reading →

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On the Frontiers of Medicine

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Receiving Hospital cot where more than 600 died. Dec. 19, 1909: “Within a few days the old rubber-covered cot at the Receiving Hospital in the Central Police Station will be removed, and a new and more sanitary operating stand … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, health, LAPD | Comments Off

Publicist Dies in Fall From Alexandria Hotel

Posted on December 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life” by Clare Briggs. Dec. 12, 1919: Publicist Albee Smith had a big story, but nobody ever found out what it was.

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Downtown, Suicide | Comments Off

Rain Floods Downtown Streets

Posted on December 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

A young woman gets carried across a flooded street at Jefferson and Grand. Dec. 10, 1909: “There are few sights funnier than a large crowd on the streets during a heavy downpour. Such was the case yesterday. During … Continue reading →

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President’s Pilot Worries About Trip to Afghanistan

Posted on December 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Remember, leave your blood at the Red Cross, not on the highway,” says Capt. Dan Mathews of "Highway Patrol." Air pollution is linked to lung ailments. “Take a Giant Step” opens. And I’ve added to my Netflix queue. Dec. 9, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Dodgers, Downtown, Politics, Transportation | 3 Comments

Nuestro Pueblo

Posted on December 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

Broadway between 1st and Temple, looking toward Hill Street. Oct. 20, 1943: A fire destroys Court Flight. Sept. 14, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit Court Flight, another long-vanished downtown landmark. Today, the Hall of Records is also … Continue reading →

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Drunk Man Kills Food Wagon Vendor

Posted on December 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

What women want for Christmas: a desk. Dec. 8, 1909: The operator of a food wagon at 9th and Main streets is shot to death after refusing to give some food to a drunk man. The killer escapes through a … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Downtown, Food and Drink, LAPD | Comments Off

Driving Lesson Ends in Crash With Trolley

Posted on November 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/sv?cbp=12,286.48,,0,-1.06&cbll=34.067659,-118.225897&v=1&panoid=ybIR0sriyeKOE7LJSSmtcw&gl=&hl=en” width=”600″>View Larger Map Wilhardt Street and Main, the general area of the first accident between a streetcar and an auto. View Larger MapMain and Alameda, the general area of the second accident – and only a block … Continue reading →

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An Unlucky Address

Posted on November 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 28, 1919: A nervy bandit. May 12, 1924: More trouble at 824 Francisco St. March 4, 1932: Even more trouble near 824 Francisco St. Nov. 28, 1919: A nervy bandit orders a woman out of her … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay – Thomas Bros. Map

Posted on November 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

This 1940s vintage Thomas Bros. map of Los Angeles has been listed on EBay. These maps and street guides – which show the city before freeways – are entertaining and can be useful references for anyone researching the history … Continue reading →

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November 18, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

As Senators Write to Indignant Taxpayers While we’re all gathered here together, in this smoke-filled room, I’d like to say a few words in behalf of politicians. They are our friends. Behind that stodgy facade that they put up, they’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Parks and Recreation, Paul Coates | Comments Off

School Board Sells Downtown Property

Posted on November 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Clare Briggs on the day after Halloween. Nov. 14, 1919: Here’s one of the problems of research – a story about the sale of Mercantile Place, which is so well known that the reporter doesn’t say where it is. June … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Comics, Downtown, Education | Comments Off

November 14, 1909: Nude Man Prances on Bunker Hill

Posted on November 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

November 14, 1909: The problem with identifying the man gamboling about the top of Angel Flight* without clothing is that none of the women who complain to police have taken a good look at him. And Eddie Foy offers advice … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Stage | Comments Off

Pro Hockey for L.A.

Posted on November 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 11, 1959 Would L.A. warm up to ice hockey? Bob Hannam apparently thought so. Described in The Times as a Pasadena insurance man and president of a local amateur league, he was the front man for an … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Sports | 3 Comments