Category Archives: Transportation

Amtrak to Honor Pullman Porters

Posted on April 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Steve Yeater / For The Times  The son and grandson of Pullman porters, Garrard `Babe' Smock Jr. was honored at Railfair '99 in Sacramento, and his recollections appear in several books about the profession. "I've seen the good, … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation, travel | Comments Off on Amtrak to Honor Pullman Porters

Nuestro Pueblo, April 5, 1939

Posted on April 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

Every week I visit former Times reporter Eric Malnic in the hospital, where he's recovering from cancer surgery. There's a large blowup of an old postcard of the Figueroa Tunnels on the wall across from the elevators, so I always … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Freeways, Nuestro Pueblo, Transportation | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo, April 5, 1939

Jordan’s King Hussein Visits L.A.; Rams to Play Night Game, April 4, 1959

Posted on April 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Times' art department retouched Neil Clemans' photo of Marlon Brando giving the finger to photographers. Let's see if we can get a copy of the original. At left, King Hussein of Jordan waves to photographers in Palmdale after flying … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Film, Front Pages, Homicide, San Fernando Valley, Science, Transportation | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Duesenberg

Posted on March 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

What appears to be an authentic Deusenberg 8 radiator emblem has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $49.99.

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Duesenberg

Found on EBay — L.A. Streetcars

Posted on March 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

This lot of books about streetcars has been listed on EBay and includes several on the Pacific Electric Railway and one on pre-Huntington cars. The books are listed as best offer or Buy It Now for $150.

Posted in books, Transportation | 1 Comment

Skydiving, the New Sport; Hot-Tempered Dodger, March 23, 1959

Posted on March 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

It looks like our early skydivers are wearing football helmets. "Why should a man get married when he can get a woman to darn his socks, bake him apple pies, and even take him out to dinner when he is … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Stage, Transportation | 1 Comment

February 5, 2009: Burbank Time Capsule Revisited

Posted on March 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Cinda Cates, Burbank public information specialist, passes along the images that were recovered from the 1959 time capsule placed in the Magnolia Boulevard Bridge. The anonymous photographer recorded the city’s civic buildings (City Hall, a fire station, etc.) and took … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Architecture, City Hall, Education, Environment, Film, Freeways, Real Estate, San Fernando Valley, Science, Transportation | 3 Comments

Russians Attack Chinese Embassy; Dodgers or Padres? March 8, 1969

Posted on March 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

  President Nixon presents three soldiers with the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam.  UCLA over USC 61-55 in double overtime. You couldn’t blame The Times for paying attention to the expansion San Diego Padres. After all, it looked … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Science, Transportation, travel | Comments Off on Russians Attack Chinese Embassy; Dodgers or Padres? March 8, 1969

Found on EBay — Pacific Electric Railway

Posted on March 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

Now here’s an intriguing book. "A Pictorial Album of Electric Railroading" compiled by Donald Duke, published in 1958. Bidding starts at $30.

Posted in books, Downtown, Freeways, Transportation | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Pacific Electric Railway

Random Shot — 1911

Posted on February 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo I found this picture of the Los Angeles Trust and Savings Building and thought it would be fun to explore. It’s from about 1911. On closer examination, we find an interesting array of transportation: Horse-drawn … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Downtown, Transportation | 5 Comments

Found on EBay — 1900s Oilfield

Posted on February 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

This stereo view of an oilfield near Los Angeles has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $4.99.

Posted in Environment, Freeways, Transportation | Comments Off on Found on EBay — 1900s Oilfield

Former President Hospitalized; Dodgers’ Spring Training, February 24, 1969

Posted on February 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Former President Eisenhower undergoes emergency surgery. President Nixon arrives in Brussels for NATO talks. And did the Southern California Rapid Transit District pay too much for a Pasadena bus line? Cale Yarbrough hits the wall at the Daytona 500. Darrall … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on Former President Hospitalized; Dodgers’ Spring Training, February 24, 1969

W.C. Fields’ Cadillac For Sale

Posted on February 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photo by the Auto Collections W.C. Fields’ 1938 Cadillac  V-16 Fleetwood has been listed in Hemmings Motor News. But there’s no price in the ad. This car belonged to Carlotta Monti, at right with the car in 1980, who sold … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Freeways, Hollywood, Transportation | 4 Comments

Found on EBay — 1930 Cord Re-Creation

Posted on February 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

This really caught my eye. It’s a "brand-new" 1930 Cord L-29 LaGrande Boattail Speedster. According to the vendor, it’s a modern re-creation using genuine Cord parts, down to the Lycoming straight-8 engine. It’s listed under Buy It Now for $379,990 … Continue reading →

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Vintage Wheels — 1941 Plymouth Woodie

Posted on February 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

A 1941 Plymouth Woodie used in "Bugsy" has been listed with Hemmings Motor News. The price is $69,990.

Posted in Film, Freeways, Hollywood, Transportation | Comments Off on Vintage Wheels — 1941 Plymouth Woodie

Airliner Vanishes En Route to L.A., Coin Flip for Alcindor, February 19, 1969

Posted on February 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Mineral County Airlines DC-3 was found in August on the northeast face of Mt. Whitney. Lew Alcindor and the New York Nets –what might have been. Back when two basketball leagues were battling over the best players, the Nets … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Transportation | 1 Comment

Nuestro Pueblo — February 6, 1939

Posted on February 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Citizens Chevrolet, 2030 Colorado Blvd. I was pleased to find a little documentation of this method of advertising. I first heard about it when I interviewed Walter H. "Tim" Leimert Jr., who said his father did the same thing to … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Freeways, Nuestro Pueblo, Transportation | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo — February 6, 1939

Billy Sunday Packs Shrine Auditorium, February 15, 1909

Posted on February 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

"I am the sworn, uncompromising enemy of the liquor business." Evangelist Billy Sunday fills the house at the Shrine Auditorium. The former baseball star died of a heart attack in Chicago in 1935. "You hear a great cry up and … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, Architecture, Science, Transportation | 2 Comments

Found on EBay — 1936 Chauffeur’s Cap and Badge

Posted on February 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

A chauffeur’s cap from Silverwood’s, with 1936 badge, has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $9.99.

Posted in Fashion, Transportation | Comments Off on Found on EBay — 1936 Chauffeur’s Cap and Badge

Random Shot — Update

Posted on February 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo I received a couple of interesting notes about the photo of the Marsh-Strong Building. Although the photo isn’t dated, it’s evident the building hadn’t opened yet, so I would place it about 1913. Retired LAPD … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Transportation | 2 Comments