Category Archives: LAPD

March 1, 1907: L.A. Businesses Running Out of Space to Dump Garbage

Posted on March 1, 2026 by lmharnisch

March 1, 1907: Downtown businessmen are at a complete loss over what to do with the garbage from their operations and want the city to either take it or designate a dump they can use. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Downtown, LAPD, Streetcars | Tagged 1907 | Leave a comment

Voices — Christine Collins, February 27, 1932

Posted on February 27, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 27, 1932: Parole is denied for Walter Collins, a blow to Christine Collins, whose life inspired the Clint Eastwood film ‘Changeling.’ Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Leave a comment

Feb. 26, 1938: ‘Snow White’ Inspires ‘Dopey’ Dance

Posted on February 26, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 26, 1938: ‘Snow White’ inspires the ballroom craze: The ‘Dopey’ Dance! Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Downtown, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics | Tagged 1938, education, Harry Raymond bombing, women's rights | Leave a comment

Voices — Christine Collins, February 21, 1928

Posted on February 21, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 21, 1928: George Anderson of the Los Angeles Railway writes to Christine Collins regarding possible for parole for her husband, Walter. Christine Collin’s life was the inspiration for the Clint Eastwood film “Changeling.” Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Leave a comment

February 21, 1907: Mystery Killer Poisons Dogs and Cats in Angeleno Heights

Posted on February 21, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 21, 1907: A mysterious poisoner is killing dogs and cats in Angeleno Heights. The killer preys on purebreds rather than mongrels, The Times says. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Streetcars | Leave a comment

February 18, 2007: Architectural Ramblings

Posted on February 18, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 18, 2007: In exploring neighborhoods from 1907, I visited La Salle Street. Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Streetcars | Tagged Architecture | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia Book Club for February 2026

Posted on February 17, 2026 by lmharnisch

The second session of the Black Dahlia Book Club is on YouTube.com/LMHarnisch. This time, I discussed books by four journalists involved in the Black Dahlia case. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, 1948, Black Dahlia, Black Dahlia Book Club, books, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged #Jim Richardson, 1947, 1948, Aggie Underwood, Black Dahlia, Black Dahlia Book Club, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Jack Smith, lapd, Will Fowler | Leave a comment

February 17, 1907: Before Staples Center — City Straightens 12th Street

Posted on February 17, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 17, 1907: People on West 12th Street argue about straightening out the street between Main and Hoover. Some say it would raise property values, others counter that it would ruin homes and bring costly assessments. The street was later wiped out and is home to a certain sports arena. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Streetcars | Leave a comment

February 11, 1907: Woman Fractures Skull Leaping From Streetcar That Passed Her Stop

Posted on February 11, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 11, 1907: Mrs. A.C. Newton of Central Avenue is near death after fracturing her skull by leaping from a streetcar that passed her stop. News reports show someone was injured almost every week by jumping from a streetcar that failed to stop. Image shows a new Baptist church at 2nd Street and St. Louis. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Streetcars, Transportation | Comments Off

Black Dahlia Book Club – Coming February 17, 2026

Posted on February 10, 2026 by lmharnisch

Reminder: The second session of the Black Dahlia Book Club will meet February 17 at 10 a.m. on YouTube. This time I’ll look at the memoirs of four journalists who covered the case. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, 1948, Black Dahlia, Black Dahlia Book Club, books, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged 1947, 1948, Black Dahlia, Black Dahlia Book Club, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, lapd, Leslie Dillon, True Detective | Comments Off

February 8, 1920: Police Arrest Men in Girls’ Garb

Posted on February 8, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 1 and continuing: Police arrest 20 men in women’s clothing during a party at the home of former Mayor Arthur Harper. Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, Comics, LAPD | 1 Comment

February 8, 1907: Peace Returns to Buena Vista Street

Posted on February 8, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 8, 1907: The death of family matriarch Mrs. James Stewart ends a feud between the Donnatins and the Stewarts over something that Charles Donnatin said to a young woman across the street. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Streetcars | Comments Off

February 7, 1907: Cop Killer’s Widow Arrested in Liquor Raid

Posted on February 7, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 7, 1907: Charles Babbitt is sentenced to 30 days in jail on charges of domestic violence after the testimony of his 6-year-old son. “Papa hit me with a whip and it cut my head,” the boy said. “Then he hit mama.” “The man blinked his eyes and said that he did it because he was drunk” The Times says. Continue reading →

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February 4, 1907: Architectural Ramblings — South Pasadena

Posted on February 4, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 4, 1907: Architectural rambling with “artistic bungalows.” Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Pasadena, Streetcars | Tagged Architecture | Comments Off

February 3, 1939: Nuestro Pueblo

Posted on February 3, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 3, 1939: Times artist Charles Owens and writer Joe Seewerker visit the San Pedro breakwater. Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off

Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, February 2026

Posted on February 3, 2026 by lmharnisch

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case includes a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and a brief introduction to the Black Dahlia case. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged Alex Baber, Ask Me Anything, Black Dahlia, Elizabeth Short, lapd, Marvin Margolis, Michael Connelly | Comments Off

February 2, 1932: Voices — Christine Collins

Posted on February 2, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 2, 1932: Walter Collins, imprisoned husband of Christine Collins writes that he wants to be put on the road crew but can’t until a parole date is set. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off

February 2, 1907: A Trip to the Zoo

Posted on February 2, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 2, 1907: Conditions at Chutes Park are so bad that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is making a second inspection to see whether operator J.B. Lehigh has made any improvements before his Feb. 20 trial on charges of abuse and neglect. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Streetcars | Comments Off

January 31, 1959: Paul Coates — Confidential File

Posted on January 31, 2026 by lmharnisch

January 31, 1959: Paul Coates has the story a drug addict who graduates from Synanon and an update on the postmortem drama about the body of Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer, which was stranded at the morgue. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1959, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Paul Coates | Comments Off

January 31, 1907: L.A. Health Officials Fight Legislature’s Bid to Repeal Mandatory Smallpox Shots