Category Archives: Downtown

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 on Found on EBay — Main Street at Night

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 on Found on EBay — The Courthouse

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.

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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 on Found on EBay — Polytechnic High School

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 on Streetcar Official Arrested for Speeding

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 on Found on EBay — Figueroa Street

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 on Woman Turns Informant in Jewel Robbery

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 on Police Commission Studies Regulation of Prostitution

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 on Found on EBay — Charles Mulford Robinson

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 on An Unusual Bet on Boxing Match

Artist’s Notebook: City Hall

Posted on July 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles City Hall, July 3, 2009 Since I began posting Nuestro Pueblo last year, I've wanted to feature contemporary artwork of historic Los Angeles in the spirit of what Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens did in 1938-39. Not long … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, City Hall, Downtown, Marion Eisenmann | Comments Off on Artist’s Notebook: City Hall

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 5, 1921: "Beau Revel" is playing at Grauman's Million Dollar Theater, with the Columbia Park Boys, plus Grauman's symphony orchestra and Henry Murtagh at the Wurlitzer. "The Woman God Changed" is at Grauman's Rialto, Broadway near 8th Street, … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Nixon Dedicates Sports Arena

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 5, 1959: Vice President Richard Nixon waves during the dedication of the Sports Arena. It has been a long time since anyone referred to the Los Angeles Sports Arena as a "marvel of modern design." But that was the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960 Democratic Convention, City Hall, Current Affairs, Downtown, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Nixon Dedicates Sports Arena

Fireworks Touch Off Numerous Blazes

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 5, 1889: Firecrackers and rockets touch off numerous blazes around the city … a man is arrested for swearing at a driver who collided with his wagon. 

Posted in Downtown, LAPD | Comments Off on Fireworks Touch Off Numerous Blazes

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on July 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 4, 1918: D.W. Griffith's "Hearts of the World" is playing at Clune's Auditorium 5th and Olive. At the Kinema, Grand Avenue at 7th Street, Mary Pickford stars in "How Could You, Jean," directed by William Desmond Taylor. At … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Stage | 1 Comment

Fourth of July Concert in the Park.

Posted on July 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 4, 1899: The Third Regiment Band will give a Fourth of July Concert at Central Park (now Pershing Square). The program includes the "Los Angeles Times March and Two-Step" by conductor J.B. Reynolds. 

Posted in Downtown, Music | Comments Off on Fourth of July Concert in the Park.

Downtown L.A. Is Red, White and Blue

Posted on July 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 4, 1889: The cable cars and the engine house are decorated for the Fourth of July … and two neighboring ranchers settle their differences at the blacksmith shop.

Posted in Animals, Downtown, Homicide | Comments Off on Downtown L.A. Is Red, White and Blue