Category Archives: Downtown

Artist’s Notebook — Union Station

Posted on August 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Union Station by Marion Eisenmann, Aug, 8, 2009 Marion sends her impressions of Union Station, the crossroads for countless travelers since it opened in 1939. Think of how many people have rushed through the station to catch their train — … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Downtown, Marion Eisenmann, Nuestro Pueblo, Transportation, travel | Comments Off

Damages Awarded in Buggy Accident

Posted on August 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 13, 1899: A judge awards damages in a buggy accident. J.B. Lankershim had a hired man cut down a large pepper tree on his property on 10th Street (Olympic) near Olive. The man left the fallen tree in … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Animals, Downtown | Comments Off

Delays on Chavez Ravine

Posted on August 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 11, 1959: "Horrors of the Black Museum" in Hypno-Vista! 3 1/2 stars on Netflix. Six stars on imdb. Movement toward a new ballpark for the Dodgers kept slowing down. City Atty. Roger Arnebergh wanted the City Council to wait … Continue reading →

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

Dragnet — The Stamp

Posted on August 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

The U.S. Postal Service has released a "Dragnet" stamp featuring series star, writer and producer Jack Webb, who began the program on radio in 1949 and brought it to television in 1951. The stamp is part of a commemorative series … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, City Hall, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Television | 3 Comments

August 9, 1979: Walter O’Malley Dies

Posted on August 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph courtesy of the Dodgers. Vin Scully and Walter O’Malley before the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles. Is it a stretch to suggest that Walter O’Malley was the man chiefly responsible for pro sports in Southern California? Consider that the Lakers … Continue reading →

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

Lightning Sets Wildfires; Dodgers Seek Coliseum Deal

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 1, 1959: The Times begins experimenting with a two-column news summary. The Dodgers' new ballpark in Chavez Ravine was nowhere in sight so the team started talking about returning to the Coliseum for the 1960 season. The Times' Frank … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off

County Asks U.S. to Help Fight Border Drug Traffic; Hearing on Chavez Ravine

Posted on July 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 28, 1959: Vice President Richard Nixon's "kitchen debate" with Nikita Khrushchev bolsters his political stature, but Republican leaders are being careful not to overemphasize his new prestige. And questions arise about the fire at the home of boxing promoter … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Richard Nixon | 1 Comment

City Sets New Speed Limits on Bicycles

Posted on July 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 25, 1899: "It shall be unlawful for any person to ride any bicycle, tricycle, velocipede or other riding machine or vehicle upon any public sidewalk within the corporate limits of this city or to ride any such vehicle within … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, LAPD, Transportation | 1 Comment

New Theater Planned for Plaza

Posted on July 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 21, 1889: Plans for a new theater on the Plaza … and a nasty dispute between a landlady and her tenant. He won't pay the bill or move. "Tracy, on his side, says that Mrs. Fuller was very abusive … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Architecture, Downtown, Stage | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Main Street at Night

Posted on July 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

This is a great image — a moody view of Main Street at night. You can almost hear the hollow clopping of horses' hooves and the bell of a streetcar up the block. Makes you wonder what might be happening … Continue reading →

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

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: The Follies Closes

Posted on July 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 20, 1942: The Follies Theater, 327 S. Main St., which was once the Belasco, closes. I have another address for the Belasco of 335 S. Main, which I'm guessing was part of the same building. Update: Michael, you raise … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Architecture, Downtown, Stage | 4 Comments

Found on EBay — The Courthouse

Posted on July 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

A postcard showing an unusual view of Broadway, with the courthouse in the foreground at left and City Hall in the background, has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $7.99.

Posted in #courts, Architecture, Downtown | Comments Off

Killing in Chinatown

Posted on July 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 15, 1889: Siegel the Hatter, under the Nadeau Hotel. July 15, 1889: A killing in Chinatown. The old newspapers never spared the gruesome details.

Posted in #courts, Downtown, Homicide | Comments Off

Found on EBay — Polytechnic High School

Posted on July 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

A lot of 12 postcards, including Polytechnic High School, top left, and the library, bottom left, has been listed on EBay. Other postcards include Angels Flight, Bullock's downtown, the fountain at what is now Pershing Square, the alligator farm … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Downtown, Education, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off

Streetcar Official Arrested for Speeding

Posted on July 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 14, 1889: A streetcar company official is arrested for speeding. He says he was late to work and driving briskly but not dangerously fast.

Posted in #courts, Downtown, Transportation | Comments Off

Found on EBay — Figueroa Street

Posted on July 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

This postcard of Figueroa near Adams (close to the site of the old Auto Club headquarters) has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $5.99.

Posted in Architecture, Downtown | Comments Off

Woman Turns Informant in Jewel Robbery

Posted on July 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 13, 1889: A smash and grab robbery at 1st and Spring … an old man robbed by a prostitute … a forgetful woman … and The Times finds fault with the new City Hall on Broadway, shown below left. … Continue reading →

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

Police Commission Studies Regulation of Prostitution

Posted on July 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 11, 1889: One of the best things about the 1880s newspapers is that The Times wrote about everything. One of the more controversial issues before the Police Commission is what to do with all the prostitutes in Los Angeles. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Downtown, LAPD | Comments Off

Found on EBay — Charles Mulford Robinson

Posted on July 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

A plan for Honolulu, 1907 In the early 20th century, Charles Mulford Robinson wrote a series of books on beautifying cities and developed specific plans for such places as Detroit and Los Angeles. Robinson proposed that Los Angeles build a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, books, Downtown | Comments Off

An Unusual Bet on Boxing Match

Posted on July 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 8, 1889: Dutch Pete and Charles Beaucaire make a bet on the Sullivan-Kilrain fight. Evidently the loser will carry the winner in a wheelbarrow from the Anheuser saloon to the Nadeau Hotel, at 1st and Spring, and back. … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown | Comments Off