Note: This is an encore post from 2006.
July 9, 1907
Los Angeles
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church on Hewitt Street was barren; the pastor had gone away and the congregation had moved on. And so the City Council, in struggling to house inmates at the crowded, filthy prison on West 4th Street, decided to lease the old church for $100 ($2,052.36 USD 2005) a month as a temporary jail until a larger facility could be built “more nearly adequate for a city of the size of Los Angeles,” The Times said.
In discussing the move, Councilman Wallace berated his fellow lawmakers for neglecting the jail and said the council members were far worse criminals for their neglect than anyone housed in the crumbling structure.
arion Jones died with a secret–and a lot of medical bills ($2,308.64 for doctors’ visits in 2007 dollars). She died owing $29.45 ($647.52 USD 2007), so she was turned over to the medical school at USC to be dissected by the students. Her former employer said she was a well-educated and refined woman who concealed her identity so her family wouldn’t discover she was working as a housekeeper. When he learned that she had died, he recovered her body from the dissection lab, paid her hospital bill and had her buried at Grand View Cemetery in Glendale.
Coming to Hollywood in 1907, Eleanor Brodie Jones determined to make a difference in the small community. For over 22 years, she brought a love of reading, knowledge, and growth to everyone through her successful work in community engagement and outreach, offering programs for all ages and ensuring access to cultural and artistic events through various clubs and societies, but especially as Hollywood librarian. Jones’ evolution of the library and its impact on society parallelled Hollywood’s rise as an artistic community thanks to her work. She also left an indelible mark by inspiring the construction of the Hollywood Studio Club, a safe and encouraging residence for young women immigrating to the city in hopes of making it in movies. Her leadership provided a much needed home for single women stepping out on their own to succeed in the business world.
er name was Fanny (or Fannie) and she had everything a young wife could want, at least according to her husband, Walter F.W. Stock, a grading contractor from Long Beach. The Stocks enjoyed a happy home and had two children. At least that was Walter’s story.
Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and 
