Tag Archives: Fire Department

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    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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