Category Archives: Transportation

Future shock

Posted on June 14, 2007 by lmharnisch

  June 14, 1957Los Angeles Sometimes predictions for the future are simply painful to read. The people living in 1957 were prolific in sketching out hopeful plans. Some of them were foolish (I think we can safely eliminate the atomic-powered … Continue reading →

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1957 Chevy

Posted on June 11, 2007 by lmharnisch

In February 1957, after adding 300,000 square feet, the General Motors' Van Nuys plant (note: it's really in Panorama City) began making station wagons and convertibles.  A spokesman says the plant is producing 150 cars a day in five different … Continue reading →

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Reprieve

Posted on April 28, 2007 by lmharnisch

April 28, 1957 Los Angeles A boy (and how anyone knows it was a boy is never explained) came across a stalled car on the Southern Pacific right of way near Valley Boulevard and Boca Avenue in Alhambra.  He  ran … Continue reading →

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If you build it, they will drive

Posted on April 25, 2007 by lmharnisch

As envisioned, 1957 As built, below, looking north from Slauson As used, below, looking north from Slauson, April 22, 2007 The Harbor Freeway, below, looking south from 42nd Street, 1957. Note there are no center guardrails. The Harbor Freeway, below, … Continue reading →

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In Which a Ghostly Visitor Returns

Posted on March 15, 2007 by lmharnisch

March 15, 2007Los Angeles “Well, dear boy, I suppose you thought you were through.” “Yes, I did.” “And?” “Good grief! Do you see this bridge over the Gold Line? It looks like it’s held up with hairpins and spit!” “Saliva, … Continue reading →

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Random Shots From Our 12-Bore

Posted on February 11, 2007 by lmharnisch

Feb. 11, 1907Los Angeles The Eastside gets a new Baptist Church and 2nd Street and St. Louis. Like Tom and Huck A large pond 7 feet deep at Normandie and San Marino left by the runoff of recent rainstorms proved … Continue reading →

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Centennial Ramblings

Posted on February 5, 2007 by lmharnisch

Feb. 5, 2007Sierra Madre Because it’s celebrating its centennial this month, I paid a visit to Sierra Madre and while savoring a cinnamon dolce latte at the local Starbucks, watched the sun set on a historic Union 76 ball. A … Continue reading →

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Officer C.A. May, End of Watch

Posted on February 3, 2007 by lmharnisch

Feb. 3, 1907Los Angeles About 1 a.m. on a dark corner at East Adams and South San Pedro, the hard, shabby life of William Ross ended when he said, “What in hell are you fellows up to?,” drew a pistol … Continue reading →

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The Floods

Posted on January 10, 2007 by lmharnisch

Jan. 9-10, 1907 The worst storm in 23 years blew across Southern California with the force of a gale, dumping more than an inch of rain in Pasadena, killing an Orange County rancher, washing out railroad tracks and collapsing tunnels, … Continue reading →

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The Old Men in Blue

Posted on December 30, 2006 by lmharnisch

Dec. 30, 1907Los AngelesJames Sullivan, 64, was a prisoner of the Confederates held at Belle Isle, Libby and Andersonville, where he and war correspondent Albert D. Richardson escaped by tunneling for three months with a spoon.Henry Russell, formerly of the … Continue reading →

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Not a Coward

Posted on December 9, 2006 by lmharnisch

Dec. 9, 1907Los AngelesMayor Harper has restored E.J. Bowen to his old job in the Fire Department after the rookie police officer was fired for allegedly being a coward—a charge that Bowen, who is black, blames on racism.Bowen transferred to … Continue reading →

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In the Line of Duty

Posted on December 3, 2006 by lmharnisch

Dec. 3, 1907Los AngelesOfficer Patrick Lyons had been on the force for four months when he was shot in the head while trying to arrest two robbers a little after 11 p.m. at Central Avenue and 14th Street.There’s no picture … Continue reading →

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A Vintage Development

Posted on December 2, 2006 by lmharnisch

Dec. 2, 1907Los AngelesThe Times real estate section features an apartment building at 2nd Street and Figueroa—no point in even going to look for it. But there’s also a large ad for the Erkenbrecher Syndicate’s Glendale Valley View Tract.An unknown … Continue reading →

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Highwaymen Captured

Posted on November 20, 2006 by lmharnisch

Nov. 20, 1907Los Angeles Police battling the current crime wave say they have arrested two men who staged daring holdups on the Ascot Park and Eastlake streetcars, robbing the motormen and conductors as the cars reached the ends of their … Continue reading →

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Crime Wave Sweeps L.A.

Posted on November 19, 2006 by lmharnisch

Nov. 19, 1907Los Angeles An influx of crooks, petty hoodlums and vagrants drawn by good weather and horse racing at Santa Anita are blamed for a siege of crime throughout the city. The jail is so crowded—300 being held in … Continue reading →

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Fatal Fury

Posted on November 16, 2006 by lmharnisch

Nov. 16, 1907Los Angeles Mrs. Amanda Cook (she is also identified as Jennie and Mary) came to Los Angeles from Boston in 1906 with two of her children in search of her husband, Frederick, a union plasterer and bricklayer. She … Continue reading →

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A Bad Way With Horses

Posted on November 12, 2006 by lmharnisch

Nov.12, 1907Los Angeles Half a block from his home at 1131 Westlake, John P. Shumway Jr. was badly injured when the carriage he was driving collided with the 11th Street trolley. Shumway was thrown about 20 feet, striking the pavement … Continue reading →

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Gilbert and Sullivan Said It Best

Posted on October 28, 2006 by lmharnisch

Oct. 28, 1907Los AngelesYou know the song even if you’ve never seen “Pirates of Penzance”: A policeman’s lot is not an easy one” and that is doubly true for one anonymous former LAPD chief.The ex-chief has nothing but complaints: “It … Continue reading →

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Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Posted on October 17, 2006 by lmharnisch

Oct. 17, 1907Los AngelesMr. Woolin, left tackle of the USC team, took great exception to be tackled by one of the black players on the Whittier State team (one of Whittier’s five black players) and voiced his displeasure, emphasizing his … Continue reading →

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Disharmony

Posted on September 26, 2006 by lmharnisch

Sept. 26, 1907Long Beach Marco Vessella, conductor of Long Beach’s Royal Italian Band, has had nothing but trouble with Special Officer W.D. Cason after firing him from his job as ticket taker. On one September evening, Vessella and a young … Continue reading →

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