Category Archives: Parks and Recreation

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

Location Sleuth

Posted on December 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Buster Keaton in “The High Sign.” I’ve been going through a Buster Keaton phase on Netflix and in watching “The High Sign,” I noticed this merry-go-round in the opening of the film. I got to wondering where it was – … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Parks and Recreation | 7 Comments

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 14, 1959

Posted on December 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Hey, it's Christian Brando! Raul Bernal: 'He's a Miracle' Over a taco, I sat down with Java Joe the other day. "It used to be," he was saying, "problems like I got now would throw me. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Parks and Recreation, Paul Coates | Comments Off

Nuestro Pueblo

Posted on November 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 29, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit the home of the late Times columnist Harry Carr, showing his view of Griffith Park. Note: The original run of Nuestro Pueblo concluded in 1939. I’m going back and picking … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Nuestro Pueblo, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off

November 18, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

As Senators Write to Indignant Taxpayers While we’re all gathered here together, in this smoke-filled room, I’d like to say a few words in behalf of politicians. They are our friends. Behind that stodgy facade that they put up, they’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Parks and Recreation, Paul Coates | Comments Off

Artist’s Notebook — Huntington Gardens

Posted on September 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Huntington Gardens by Marion Eisenmann The Huntington Gardens by Marion Eisenmann The Huntington Gardens by Marion Eisenmann Marion Eisenmann and I were going over some of her recent work and this caught my eye: A page of value studies … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Marion Eisenmann, Nuestro Pueblo, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off

U.S. Tightens Border; DiMaggio and the Angels?

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 22, 1969: The U.S. tightens inspections at the border as part of Operation Intercept. And hippies gather at Griffith Park. Akron had everything for the swinging bachelor pad — including armor. Al Capp satirized all sorts of people and … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Parks and Recreation, Sports | 1 Comment

Police Crack Down on ‘Mashers’ in Park

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Cartoonist Edmund Waller "Ted" Gale draws W.I. Hollingsworth. Sept. 21, 1909: Police crack down on mashers in Eastlake Park, which is now Lincoln Park. "These young rowdies attempt to flirt with every girl they see," said John Butler, sergeant of … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, LAPD, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off

Found on EBay — Elysian Park

Posted on September 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

This postcard of Elysian Park, stamped 1904, has been listed on EBay. The writer says: "This is one of the most beautiful of all of Los Angeles' many pretty parks." The road in the center is apparently North Broadway and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off

Bathhouse Planned for Wilshire District

Posted on September 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 14, 1919: An elaborate bathhouse is planned for 4th Street between Vermont and New Hampshire. View Larger Map Dr. Elmer E. Stone plans a spa and athletic club. It's unclear from The Times' clips whether this was actually … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, health, Parks and Recreation | 1 Comment

Mexican Independence Day

Posted on September 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 14, 1909: From the recording horn. Gen. Antonio Aguilar will preside at Chutes Park for the celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

Posted in Parks and Recreation | Comments Off

September 1, 1959: Ignore Khrushchev, VFW Leader Says; Koufax Strikes Out 18!

Posted on September 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 1, 1959: Vice President Nixon addresses the VFW convention being held in Los Angeles … VFW Commander in Chief John W. Mahan says of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s upcoming visit: “We ask Americans to ignore, with dignity, this man. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Parks and Recreation, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off

Pilgrimage Play Opens

Posted on July 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

May 31, 1920: Preparations are underway in El Camino Real Canyon for "The National Pilgrimage Play." Aug. 26, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit what was then Pilgrimage Play Theater for Nuestro Pueblo. The play wasn't presented … Continue reading →

Posted in Parks and Recreation, Religion, Stage | Comments Off

Found on EBay — The Cyclone in Long Beach

Posted on July 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 16, 1968, the end of the ride for the Cyclone. This postcard of the Cyclone roller coaster at the Nu-Pike in Long Beach has been listed on EBay. The world's longest, fastest roller-coaster was torn down in 1968 to … Continue reading →

Posted in Long Beach, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off

Artist’s Notebook — Pasadena Ice Skating Center

Posted on July 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Pasadena Ice Skating Center by Marion Eisenmann, July 17, 2009. Young skater Emma Linde puts on a show. Los Angeles has had a hot spell for the last week so I gave Marion a list of alternatives to Travel Town, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Marion Eisenmann, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off

A Brutal Sport Hounded to Extinction

Posted on July 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

Coursing as depicted in The Times on Dec. 12, 1897. "The rabbit dodged this way and that, squatted suddenly to the ground while the hound rushed past. Once, the dog's teeth sank in the hindquarters of the rabbit, jerked the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #games, 1897, 1898, Animals, City Hall, LAPD, Long Beach, Parks and Recreation, Politics | 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

Found on EBay — Historic Venice

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

This 1908 postcard showing the bath house and lagoon in Venice has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $7.95.

Posted in Parks and Recreation | Comments Off

Vice President Visits Disneyland

Posted on June 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 15, 1959: Vice President Nixon shakes hands with a spaceman at Disneyland, which opened six new attractions, including the Matterhorn, the monorail (capable of 80 mph!) and the submarine rides. Then the family goes to Knott's Berry Farm, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Charles Hillinger, Parks and Recreation, Politics, Richard Nixon, Transportation | Comments Off

The Pershing Square Mystery, Part II

Posted on June 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Boris Yaro / Los Angeles Times Dec., 11, 1975: "The Last Argument of Kings" cannon is at Travel Town. Note that the plaque is missing from the base. I went to Travel Town on Sunday in search of … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo, Parks and Recreation | 2 Comments