Category Archives: Downtown

Plaza Festival Celebrates Columbus Day

  What the stalwart young lad is wearing. Oct. 22, 1909: Columbus Day is celebrated at the Plaza with a surprising array of ethnic groups. I’ve seen postcards of the Indian Village at Eastlake Park, but have never found out … Continue reading

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President Asks Court to Halt Steel Strike

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

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Lunch With the Daily Mirror

  Photograph by Navid Nonahal / Los Angeles Times Oct. 17, 2009: We had a festive time on Saturday at Philippe, discussing Los Angeles history, vintage movies, the true origin of the French dip sandwich and tips on blogging.  I … Continue reading

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Lunch With the Daily Mirror – Oct. 17

  Our lunch gatherings at Philippe have been so enjoyable that I thought it would be fun to have another. We’re shooting for Saturday, Oct. 17, at noon in the mass transit/clown alcove. Stop  by and discuss mystery photos, old … Continue reading

Posted in Downtown, Food and Drink | 2 Comments

Residents Flee Big Tujunga Fire, Oct. 16, 1959

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

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L.A. in the grips of Gustavo-mania

Gustavo Dudamel throws himself into his conducting during his inaugural performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall as new music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times / October 8, 2009) Through the generosity and … Continue reading

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President Visits L.A.!

Over the years, Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale drew many variations on “Miss Los Angeles” before adopting the best known version, a Latina. Above, here she is in 1909, welcoming President Taft. At right, Miss Los Angeles, Feb. 26, 1920 l … Continue reading

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Found on EBay – Dyas-Cline

Gunsmith W.H. Billy Wilshire dies, Oct. 11, 1935. This shoulder holster from Dyas-Cline Co. sporting goods in Los Angeles has been listed on EBay.  Dyas- Cline became Cline-Cline about 1913, which would make this holster older than I suspected. Bidding … Continue reading

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Police Raid Chinatown Gambling Operation

  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

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Bomb Kills 20 Times Employees

Photo courtesy of the USC Digital Library Oct. 1, 1910: The bombing of the Los Angeles Times Building at 1st and Broadway.

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Sox, Dodgers Ready for World Series

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

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34 Years on the Streetcars

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

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

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Why Cars Don’t Have Running Boards Anymore

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

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Colored YMCA to Dedicate Headquarters

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

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Man Saves Woman From Burning to Death

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

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4 Children Hurt in Runaway by Frightened Horse

  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

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Officer Finds Interesting ‘Pet’

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

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Ike Rides Wave of Popularity; Dodgers Call Up Reinforcements

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

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

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