Category Archives: Downtown

34 Years on the Streetcars

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 23, 1934: John Corsen reflects on his 34 years as a streetcar motorman. This is a wonderful first-person account of the early days of the streetcars in Los Angeles. "You ought to see what it was when I started. … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Downtown, Transportation | 1 Comment

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 on Groundbreaking for Dodger Stadium

Why Cars Don’t Have Running Boards Anymore

Posted on September 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 13, 1919: "That Guiltiest Feeling" by Clare Briggs.   Mr. Huber was spending lots of time on the phone, so his wife decided to investigate, especially since he began talking about it in his sleep.  Mr. Huber told his … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Downtown, Transportation | Comments Off on Why Cars Don’t Have Running Boards Anymore

Colored YMCA to Dedicate Headquarters

Posted on September 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 11, 1909: The daily horoscope, which The Times published on the editorial page. "Women will hear good news from afar." The Colored Young Men's Christian Assn. will open at 829 S. San Pedro St. The building has a gymnasium, … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Religion | Comments Off on Colored YMCA to Dedicate Headquarters

Man Saves Woman From Burning to Death

Posted on September 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 6, 1909: Edmund Waller "Ted" Gale draws Gen. Adna R. Chaffee, head of the Board of Public Works. Civil engineer W.O. Secor tells a remarkable story: As he was riding the Downey Avenue streetcar at Naud Junction, a flame … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Comics, Downtown, Transportation, travel | Comments Off on Man Saves Woman From Burning to Death

4 Children Hurt in Runaway by Frightened Horse

Posted on September 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 4, 1919: "Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life" by Clare Briggs (1875-1930). I would imagine the anti-union message resonated with The Times' editorial policy.     Turner Hall at 321 S. Main St. becomes the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1919, Animals, Architecture, art and artists, Downtown, Food and Drink | Comments Off on 4 Children Hurt in Runaway by Frightened Horse

Officer Finds Interesting ‘Pet’

Posted on September 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 4, 1909: Times artist Edmund Waller "Ted" Gale draws J.P. Burns. Note Miss Los Angeles. In later cartoons, Gale drew her like this: March 19, 1933: "Fair and Hot Under the Collar." A police officer finds an interesting animal … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, art and artists, Downtown, Fashion, health, LAPD | Comments Off on Officer Finds Interesting ‘Pet’

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 on Sleepwalker Falls From Streetcar

Nuestro Pueblo — Ft. Moore Hill

Posted on August 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 28, 1939: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit Ft. Moore Hill for Nuestro Pueblo and The Times writes about Lt. E.O.C. Ord's 1849 survey of the city, giving a history of early street names.

Posted in art and artists, Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo — Ft. Moore Hill

Theater Troupe Near Riot Over Pay

Posted on August 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 27, 1899: Alexandra Dagmar at the Orpheum … and at base-ball at Fiesta Park. Ladies free.   The backer of a theatrical troupe is taken to the police station for protection after performers threaten to riot because they … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Downtown, Music, Stage | Comments Off on Theater Troupe Near Riot Over Pay

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

Police Catch Some Tough Men

Posted on August 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 21, 1889: Pears' Soap and Beecham's Pills. Police catch a couple of toughs: Professional beggars Jimmy  "Peg" Williams and John Baker, and Thomas "Scotty" Burns. 

Posted in #courts, Downtown, LAPD | Comments Off on Police Catch Some Tough Men

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

Man Sought in Tate Killings; Angels Hit 5 Home Runs!

Posted on August 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 18, 1969: Royal Canadian Mounted Police search for Thomas Steven Harrigan, identified as a suspect in the Tate killings … Hurricane Camille hits Mississippi with 150-mph winds … and "Weary Youngsters" head home from Woodstock. Above: "Joan Baez, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, Downtown, Fashion, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports, Transportation | 1 Comment

Tamale Vendor Disappears With Watch

Posted on August 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 18, 1899: Vapor baths, hair treatments and miracle pills. Fernando Olivas wanted 15 cents ($3.83 USD 2008) worth of tamales but had no money, so he left a gold watch as collateral. Now Olivas says tamale vendor Jim Butcher … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Downtown | 1 Comment

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

Posted on August 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 17, 1899: Above, an ad opposes issuing $2 million in bonds to buy the water company. Notice that Hoover Street, indicated by a dotted line, was the western boundary of Los Angeles. Aug. 24, 1889: Voters overwhelmingly approve bonds … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, Environment, Politics | Comments Off on Voters Approve Bonds to Buy Water Company

Husband, Wife Try to Arrest Each Other

Posted on August 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Aug. 16, 1889: The shoe extension.  Everything seemed well at the household of attorney W.W. Stewart after the husband came home early and chased away his wife's drinking companion with a few gunshots. Then after a night of … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Animals, Downtown, Fashion, health, LAPD | Comments Off on Husband, Wife Try to Arrest Each Other

To Our Readers

Posted on August 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

To Our Readers: As you have noticed, The Times'  website has been redesigned, and that includes The Daily Mirror. The elements that used to be on the right rail are gone, including Sid Hughes' badge and many of the links. … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Downtown, Weblogs | 2 Comments