Category Archives: Environment

Baptismal Records Hold Evidence in Suit Over Pioneer’s Estate

Posted on March 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

   March 3, 1920: I’m sure the concept of this ad seemed fine. But we have a slightly malevolent fellow spilling grease that turns into a highway. Maybe that’s why we don’t hear much about Gredag these days. On the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, Environment, Film, Hollywood, Transportation | 2 Comments

Governor Halts Chessman Execution

Posted on February 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Caryl Chessman is prepared for the gas chamber, but gets a last-minute reprieve – for now.  Vice President Richard Nixon visits the winter Olympics at Squaw Valley. An experiment in composting, “one of the disposal systems of the future.” … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Environment, Front Pages, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Governor Halts Chessman Execution

L.A. Prepares for Auto Show

Posted on January 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Jan. 31, 1910: Some grand old names of the past are at the auto show, like Packard and Pierce-Arrow. Buick and Cadillac seem to be about the only survivors. The first Los Angeles auto show was held in … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Freeways, Parks and Recreation, Transportation | Comments Off on L.A. Prepares for Auto Show

Finch Stole Two Cadillacs, Went to Las Vegas

Posted on January 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Betty Jean Behr shows a photo of victim Barbara Jean Finch. What to do with the radioactive waste piling up in Long Beach? Dump it in the ocean!   March 22, 1960: A judge rules that Long Beach has … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Environment, Homicide, Long Beach | 1 Comment

TV Writers Go on Strike Over Residuals

Posted on January 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

“I Wish He'd Finish His Cartoon Before He Takes His Coffee Break.”View this photo Akron has slipper sox! President Eisenhower, the man of the decade, according to a Gallup poll, goes bird hunting. A radioactive waste disposal company in Long … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Environment, Politics, Richard Nixon, Television | 1 Comment

Glorious Southern California!

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

    “He who thinks that the Southland's many miles of smooth automobile roads penetrating every beauteous section have relegated the alpenstock to the reverent care of the antiquarian is mistaken. In case you doubt me ask any member of … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off on Glorious Southern California!

A Poem for the New Year

Posted on December 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Isn’t this a great drawing? I suppose in 1919 smokestacks meant progress and not pollution.   Enumerators prepare to take the 1920 census and have a few questions. Is a lone man or woman without any known relatives a … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, health, Politics, Transportation | Comments Off on A Poem for the New Year

November 25, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on November 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Fresh but Polluted In the broad scheme of things, the Fern Dell water hole isn’t very important.  But people who knew about it and went there to fill their jugs with cool, fresh spring water are disquieted since the Health … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Environment, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on November 25, 1959: Matt Weinstock

A Jovial Nixon Tells Strangers He’s Bob Hope, Makes Prank Phone Calls

Posted on November 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Vice President Richard Nixon interrupting early morning walk on Wilshire Boulevard to watch sidewalk repairs, lingers to talk sports with Vic Salazar, left and another worker. It's easy to find weird stories about Richard Nixon, before and after his presidency. … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Richard Nixon, Sports | 3 Comments

Brubeck Quartet at Reseda High School

Posted on October 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dave Brubeck at Reseda High School: $2. Oct. 24, 1959: Don’t worry. That train crash is actually in Canada … The New York district attorney is considering perjury charges against Charles Van Doren and Hank Bloomgarden, who voluntarily made substantial … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, Environment, Front Pages, Transportation | Comments Off on Brubeck Quartet at Reseda High School

L.A. County Seeks to Curb Smog

Posted on October 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 24, 1959: Smog continues to blight Los Angeles. City Hall is barely visible from Temple and Hill streets. And Walter O'Malley promises that Dodger Stadium will be dignified.

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown, Environment, Front Pages, Transportation | Comments Off on L.A. County Seeks to Curb Smog

Smog Alert!

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

Funeral services for quintuplets born a few days earlier. Oct. 23, 1959: A pall of smog covers the city as county supervisors plan to send a representative to talk to Detroit auto executives about emission controls.

Posted in broadcasting, Environment, Front Pages, Television | 2 Comments

Cleaning Up L.A.’s Dirty Air

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

 The Mirror has three Page 1 stories about smog. Oct. 22, 1959: Anti-smog devices are available for cars starting with the 1961 model year.

Posted in Environment, Front Pages | Comments Off on Cleaning Up L.A.’s Dirty Air

Time Running Out for Caryl Chessman

Posted on October 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

Eleanor Roosevelt urges clemency for Caryl Chessman. An evocative story by the late Paul Weeks about a teenager who died in a spectacular car crash while running from the police.   Eleanor Roosevelt, Aldous Huxley, Ray Bradbury, Steve Allen and … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Environment, Front Pages | Comments Off on Time Running Out for Caryl Chessman

The Los Angeles Tribune Does Not Tell the Truth

Posted on August 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 30, 1889: Mrs. E.C. Freeman is moving her bakery to 339 S. Spring St. Harrison Gray Otis responds to an article in a rival paper: "The Los Angeles Tribune, as usual, does not tell the truth." The Tribune … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Environment, Politics | 1 Comment

A Fallen Woman’s Death Ride

Posted on August 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 23, 1889: I always enjoy looking at old maps of Los Angeles. This one shows a proposed sewer system. Much of the lettering is upside-down, but flipping the map 180 degrees makes it  even more confusing. Many of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, health, Suicide | 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

President Backs U.S. Coal Over Foreign Oil; KTLA Cuts Commercials

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 1, 1979: Gas rationing … the energy crisis … and SALT II. "I would rather burn a ton of Kentucky coal than see our nation become dependent by buying another barrel of OPEC oil," President Carter says. Don Galloway … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Environment, Television | Comments Off on President Backs U.S. Coal Over Foreign Oil; KTLA Cuts Commercials

Health Inspectors Check Land Irrigated With Sewage

Posted on July 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

    July 28, 1899: What happens when a city uses sewage for irrigation? People get sick.

Posted in Environment, health | 2 Comments

Los Angeles Debates a Sewer System to the Ocean

Posted on July 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 28, 1889: Civic leaders argue over what to do with Los Angeles' sewage. Many oppose letting it flow into Santa Monica Bay at Ballona because it would pollute the beaches and because building a system would be expensive. Some … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Environment, Politics | 1 Comment