Category Archives: Transportation

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 18, 1960

Posted on May 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 18, 1960: The Board of Education wants to save money by eliminating the “behind the wheel” portion of drivers’ education classes.  “Those opposing the elimination of driver training predict wholesale traffic slaughter if our leaders of tomorrow don't … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Transportation | 1 Comment

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.  

Posted in Columnists, Freeways, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Transportation | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 13, 1960

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 →

Posted in Columnists, Freeways, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Transportation | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 12, 1960

LAPD’s Cars Are Useless Wrecks

Posted on May 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 9, 1910: “The first automobile purchased by the Police Department was an electric patrol wagon. This proved to be a failure, was used but little, and is now stored in the basement of the jail. Then a gearless … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on LAPD’s Cars Are Useless Wrecks

Bill Stout Reports

Posted on April 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

   April 28, 1960: Bill Stout, a fixture of early Los Angeles TV, looks at how Southern California might fare in a nuclear attack. Stout, who died in 1989 at the age of 62, once said that television news, "in … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Television, Transportation | 4 Comments

Sydney Ford’s Trip Around the World, 1910

Posted on April 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

   April 10, 24, 1910: Times writer Sydney Ford (Henrietta B. Freeman) embarks on a journey around the world. In Parts 1 and 2 of Ford’s chatty travelogue, she writes about the voyage to Hawaii and sightseeing on Honolulu. I'm … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Transportation, travel | Comments Off on Sydney Ford’s Trip Around the World, 1910

Found on EBay – Sawtelle

Posted on April 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

These early 20th century postcards showing Sawtelle, an area of Los Angeles west of the San Diego Freeway and bisected by the Santa Monica Freeway, have been listed on EBay. The top image shows two streetcars on Oregon Avenue and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Transportation | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Sawtelle

L.A. Mayor Drives Electric Car

Posted on April 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Mayor Alexander’s electric car! April 10, 1910: Mayor George Alexander says he’ll still be chauffeured on his official duties but is learning how to drive an electric Waverly phaeton for personal use. The 70-year-old mayor of Los Angeles says, … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, City Hall, Comics, Transportation | Comments Off on L.A. Mayor Drives Electric Car

Broadway Traffic, 1930

Posted on April 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

December 1930: Broadway and 3rd Street. The Los Angeles County Transportation Authority Library and Archive is a wonderful source of old photos. Here's one of Broadway at 3rd Street taken in December 1930. The Times Building in the center-right portion  … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Photography, Transportation | Comments Off on Broadway Traffic, 1930

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 6, 1960

Posted on April 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

Prudery Not So Very Practical These Days     Read a report the other day that a French sociologist named Pierre-Louis Weil sees the western world entering upon an era of prudery.     He bases it on the belief that sex … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates, Transportation | 1 Comment

Donald Douglas Visits Los Angeles

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 2, 1920: "Southern California, with its wonderful climate, splendid labor conditions and remarkable terrain, is certain to come to the front as aviation advances. Not only in the operation of aircraft will Southern California take the lead, but, above … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Donald Douglas Visits Los Angeles

Chauffeur Is Speed Crazy

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 2, 1910: "The motorcycle men are after me and they will never get me," he cried. "I'm going to give them a race for their money this time. If they get me they will send me to jail."

Posted in Downtown, LAPD, Transportation | 1 Comment

Oil!

Posted on March 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 22, 1910: Oil executive A.B. Cohn says "… the Lakeview gusher can be seen sprouting oil like a miniature volcano for 20 miles across the desert country and it is impossible to approach within a reasonable distance of … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Transportation | Comments Off on Oil!

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 21 1960

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

Journalism Lesson From a Dixie Editor     My mother didn’t exactly cancel her subscription to The Mirror News. What she did, she called me up — collect — from her flat in the Bronx just before Christmas last year with … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Science, Transportation | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 21 1960

‘Champion Speeder’ Gets Term in Jail

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 21, 1920: William A. Marr says his motorcycle doesn’t work well unless he’s going 40 mph.

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on ‘Champion Speeder’ Gets Term in Jail

Golden State Freeway Segment Opens

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 19, 1960: A 2.8-mile section of the Golden State Freeway opens and  officials hope that it will relieve congestion. Also on the jump, complaints about poorly designed off-ramps on the Ventura Freeway in the San Fernando Valley … … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Film, Hollywood, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on Golden State Freeway Segment Opens

Car Theft Victim Calls for Crackdown on Joyriding

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 19, 1910: Until recently, about three cars a week were stolen in Los Angeles, The Times says.

Posted in #courts, LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on Car Theft Victim Calls for Crackdown on Joyriding

Artist’s Notebook: Travel Town

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Travel Town,” by Marion Eisenmann. Marion Eisenmann and I went to Travel Town in Griffith Park last summer because the old trains are popular with young children and I thought there would be some opportunities for interesting sketch subjects. It … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Marion Eisenmann, Parks and Recreation, Transportation | 1 Comment

Auto Club Offers to Pay for LAPD Detectives

Posted on March 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 17, 1920: This little, nearly illegible item is interesting for several reasons. The Police Department is chronically shorthanded, so the Automobile Club of Southern California volunteers to pay for two detectives if they are assigned exclusively to handle auto … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on Auto Club Offers to Pay for LAPD Detectives

Get Perking: Coffee Hits 15 Cents a Cup

Posted on March 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

Catch a snooze on the Freeway Flyer!  March 15, 1960: Coffee goes to 15 cents a cup, which would be $1.07 today, adjusted for inflation. Not quite the price of a venti caramel brulee at Starbucks. On the jump: “I … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Food and Drink, Transportation | Comments Off on Get Perking: Coffee Hits 15 Cents a Cup