Category Archives: Freeways

Bus Strike Begins!

Posted on November 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

          Nov. 16-21, 1960: Another bus strike ends after six days, with MTA mechanics winning a raise of 54 cents an hour to be given in three steps. Officials say that the raises will probably require … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Aug. 17, 1960

Posted on August 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 17, 1960: A motorist wins a battle over a parking ticket (it wasn’t filled out properly) … and one Whittier market has such a problem with kids stealing cigarettes it doesn’t even bother to report them. CONFIDENTIAL TO … Continue reading →

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The Arroyo Seco Parkway Revisited

Posted on July 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Photograph by Larry Harnisch / Los Angeles Times  I did a series of posts two years ago for the 70th anniversary of the Arroyo Seco Parkway. You can find them here.

Posted in Freeways, Photography, Transportation | 1 Comment

Nixon Rejects ‘Liberal’ and ‘Conservative’ Labels

Posted on June 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 21, 1960: E.W. Darby of the Chicago Sun-Times says  Vice President Richard Nixon is "impatient with such labels" as "conservative," "liberal" or "progressive conservative." "I think it is difficult to categorize people in public life with terms like … Continue reading →

Posted in Freeways, Politics, Richard Nixon, Transportation | 2 Comments

Freeway Trench Cave-In Kills Boy, 6

Posted on May 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 23, 1960: Kelly "Randy" Holmes of 2829 Allesandro St. is killed when he is buried under four feet of dirt while playing in a trench for the Golden State Freeway near what is now the interchange with the … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 13, 1960

Posted on May 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 13, 1960: Two mothers share their stories on dealing with teenage sons who are so obsessed with drag racing that everything else in their lives is suffering.  

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 12, 1960

Posted on May 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 12, 1960: Paul Coates writes, “He's 18 years old. He uses our freeways and boulevards to prove his prowess, at speeds of 110 mph. Three times, he's almost been killed.” The racer says: “It was Tuesday night. We … Continue reading →

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Downtown Parking Ban to Ease Traffic

Posted on February 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

  To ease congested streets, Los Angeles will ban street parking from Figueroa to Los Angeles streets and 1st to 9th streets. Notice that Spring hasn’t been straightened out yet, another attempt to relieve traffic.    L.O. Keown  and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Education, Freeways, Transportation | 1 Comment

Republicans Losing Strength, Poll Finds

Posted on January 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 31, 1960: A progress report on the construction of Los Angeles’ freeways.   The Democrats try to assess the political weaknesses of Vice President Richard Nixon. The unpublished study obtained by the Herald Tribune News Service finds that most … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Freeways, Hollywood, JFK, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on Republicans Losing Strength, Poll Finds

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

Council Studies Parking Bans

Posted on January 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Mr. Thorkildsen answers the telephone in the nude.    Jan. 22, 1920: Ninety years ago, the City Council was studying a proposal for no parking zones to ease bad traffic that was impeding streetcar service in downtown Los Angeles.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Freeways, Transportation | 1 Comment

Watts Streetcars Are Crowded and Dangerous

Posted on January 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

 “Wonder What the Wheat-Cake Artist Things About?" by Clare Briggs. Jan. 13, 1920: Although Los Angeles’ long-dismantled streetcar system has achieved sainthood, it was not always so beloved when people actually had to use it. “In the name of humanity, … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Dec. 28, 1959

Posted on December 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Pigeon Problem           A woman on the telephone a few days ago asked excitedly, “What should I do about these crazy pigeons?  They’ve moved into our neighborhood (3rd and La Cienega) and they’re all over the place.  One of … Continue reading →

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Pilot Dies When Plane Hits House in Compton

Posted on November 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 28, 1959: A plane crashes into a home at 519 W. Greenleaf in Compton. Mink jeans? Are you serious? Running freeways through the upper floors of existing buildings is a startling concept – but it’s not new. As envisioned … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Motorcar

Posted on July 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 25, 1947: The Tucker.

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L.A. Prepares for Olympic-Size Traffic Nightmare

Posted on July 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 1, 1984: Will subways work in Los Angeles? "But others say Metro Rail will not be heavily used by poor people because it will not take them where they want to go–to jobs scattered throughout the Los Angeles area," … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Environment, Freeways, San Fernando Valley, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on L.A. Prepares for Olympic-Size Traffic Nightmare

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Your Transportation

Posted on June 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1956: Pontiacs retain their value when you trade them in after a year or two.

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Found on EBay — Old Map of Los Angeles

Posted on June 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

A 1954 Thomas Bros. Guide for Los Angeles has been listed on EBay. These old maps come in handy around the Daily Mirror HQ. Bidding starts at $9.95.

Posted in Freeways | 2 Comments

Police Kill Man Mistaken for Freeway Sniper! A Dodger Returns

Posted on June 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

"What Are We Going to Do With the Pair of You?" Bishop Timothy Manning of Fresno is coming to Los Angeles. After his death in 1989, he will be repeatedly cited in allegations that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles covered … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Freeways, Front Pages, LAPD, Religion | 1 Comment

Seattle Woman Commemorates Historic Cross-Country Trip

Posted on June 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Times, June 10, 1909: Alice Ramsey sets off on her cross-country tour to promote the Maxwell Model 30 DA. April 14, 1909: Maxwell also promoted the 1909 Model DA with a nonstop drive through New England. Like many autos … Continue reading →

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