Tag Archives: Fire Department

December 9, 1907: Black LAPD Officer Blames Firing on Racism, Rejoins Fire Department

Posted on December 9, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 9, 1907: Mayor 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. Continue reading →

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Black L.A., 1947: Sentinel Reports on City’s Segregated Fire Department

Posted on October 9, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 9, 1947: The Sentinel reports on segregation in the Fire Department. Publisher Leon H. Washington Jr. said “There are a number of qualified Negro firemen on the list who must wait until one of the present firemen dies or retires before they will be appointed to jobs.” Continue reading →

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Dec. 9, 1907: Black LAPD Officer Blames Firing on Racism, Rejoins Fire Department

Posted on December 9, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Dec. 9, 1907 Los Angeles Mayor 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 … Continue reading →

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Black L.A., 1947: Sentinel Reports on City’s Segregated Fire Department

Posted on October 9, 2018 by lmharnisch

Engine Co. 30 in 1947, top, and via Google Street View. Oct. 9, 1947: The Sentinel reports on segregation in the Los Angeles Fire Department. Sentinel Publisher Leon H. Washington Jr. said that because of segregation, “there are a number … Continue reading →

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July 17, 1907: Hollywood Organizes to Catch Serial Arsonist

Posted on July 17, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. July 17, 1907 Los Angeles A serial arsonist has been at work in Hollywood, setting six fires in the last three weeks. The community’s small volunteer fire department has been overwhelmed by … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay – C.C. Pierce

Posted on November 10, 2012 by lmharnisch

Here’s 323 5th St. via Google’s Street View. Seven photos by C.C. Pierce showing Fire Department equipment have been listed on EBay. Pierce was a prolific photographer who chronicled the early days of Los Angeles. Many of his photographs are … Continue reading →

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March 31, 1908

Posted on March 31, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the city introduces the concept of a traveling blacksmith who shoes all of the Fire Department’s horses rather than take them to the nearest blacksmith. The Times says the blacksmith (for some reason, we didn’t use his name) shoes … Continue reading →

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March 15, 1958

Posted on March 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, integration in the Los Angeles City Fire Department is not going well  …  Below, the Coast Guard inspects ships in California’s ports on the theory that 50 men with suitcases could smuggle a terrorist weapon into the country (Gosh, … Continue reading →

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Feb. 14, 1908

Posted on February 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

    At top, Santa Monica African Americans begin the Union League … Above, Cottolene, a blend of cottonseed oil and beef tallow … Meet Joseph Margolis (1869-1945), who was active in politics until at least the early 1940s, in … Continue reading →

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