The 1930s was a pivotal decade for Los Angeles as it transitioned from a small western town into a burgeoning metropolitan city.
The population boomed during this period, growing from around 1.2 million in 1930 to nearly 1.5 million by 1940 as people fled the Dust Bowl and sought opportunities in the movie industry.
Table of Contents
Speaking of movies, Hollywood became the epicenter of the Golden Age of cinema with the establishment of major studios like MGM, Paramount, RKO, and Warner Bros.
Legendary stars like Judy Garland, Shirley Temple, and Clarke Gable rose to fame, captivating audiences with their talent and glamour.
The decade also saw the inauguration of the famed Los Angeles Union Station in 1939 which served as the region’s transportation hub.
Life was not all glitz and glamour though. The Great Depression cast a long shadow over the city with high unemployment, housing shortages, and food insecurity plaguing many residents. Tent cities sprouted up housing thousands of impoverished families.
However, New Deal programs like the Works Progress Administration provided jobs building infrastructures like the Arroyo Seco Parkway, the first freeway in the Western US.
Despite economic hardships, Angelenos could escape to newly opened entertainment like the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Pantages Theatre, and the Santa Monica Pier.
The 1930s laid the foundation for LA’s explosive growth in the following decades as both an economic powerhouse and world-class city.
Did you know the Citadel outlets used to be a tire factory? (1930)
In 1929, the Samson Tire and Rubber Corporation, the nation’s second-largest tire supplier, embarked on an ambitious project to construct the largest tire manufacturing plant west of the Mississippi.
Commissioned by the architectural firm Morgan, Walls, & Clements, the plant was built on a 40-acre lot in the Union Pacific Industrial Tract at a staggering cost of $8,000,000 (approximately $130M today).
With a guaranteed minimum daily output of 4,500 tires and 8,000 tubes, the plant promised to cement Samson Tires’ dominance in the industry.
However, just weeks before its completion, the stock market crashed on October 29, 1929, forcing Samson to scrape together the remaining funds to finish the project.
Despite the economic turmoil, the plant finally opened in May 1930, but Samson was already negotiating its acquisition by the United States Rubber Company, which was finalized in January 1931.
Under the new ownership, renamed Uniroyal Inc. in 1962, the plant thrived, producing an estimated 10,000 tires daily.
However, in 1978, Uniroyal abandoned the facility, and it remained vacant until 1983 when the City of Commerce purchased it for $14M.
Years later, the Trammell Crow Co. from Dallas undertook a $118M project to convert the historic plant into the Citadel Outlets Mall and an adjacent Wyndham hotel.
Interestingly, the plant’s design was modeled after the Assyrian castle of King Sargon II, with depictions of Samson & Delilah as a reminder that “Samson Tires Are Strong Tires.”
Hollywood Hills 1932 vs 2024 (3358 Deronda Dr)
The Hollywood Hills have been a desirable residential area for the wealthy and famous since the early 20th century.
As the movie industry began to take off in Los Angeles in the 1910s and 1920s, many of the pioneering actors, directors, and producers chose to build lavish estates in the Hills, away from the hustle and bustle downtown.
The neighborhoods of Hollywoodland (now Hollywood Hills) and Beverly Hills became synonymous with over-the-top mansions owned by celebrities like Bert Lytell, Charlie Chaplin, and Harold Lloyd.
These early homes were often Spanish Colonial or Mediterranean Revival styles that evoked a sense of Old Hollywood glamor.
As the movie industry continued to grow in the following decades, new generations of stars built even larger and more opulent homes in the Hollywood Hills.
The 1950s and 1960s saw the rise of sleek, modern mansions made of steel, glass and concrete designed by architects like John Lautner and Richard Neutra.
No longer just for actors, the Hills became home to business moguls, musicians and other wealthy elites who wanted the prestigious address and panoramic views of Los Angeles.
Today, some of the most expensive and lavish private residences in the world can be found in the Hollywood Hills, continuing the decades-long tradition of luxury living among the canyons.
Los Angeles in the 1970s was a city experiencing rapid growth and cultural shifts. The population was booming as people flocked to the sunny climate and vibrant job opportunities, especially in the entertainment industry.
Table of Contents
This was the era of The Brady Bunch, Charlie’s Angels, and The Rockford Files being filmed on the streets of LA.
The music scene was exploding with bands like The Doors, Eagles, and Motley Crue getting their start in the clubs along the Sunset Strip.
Fashions ranged from hippie counterculture looks to disco fever styles as the decade progressed.
Political tensions ran high, with the Watts Riots in 1965 leading to ongoing activism around racial inequalities.
The 1970s also saw major developments in LA’s infrastructure and economy.
With rising immigration and suburban sprawl, the freeways became even more congested.
Massive construction projects like the Los Angeles Convention Center ushered in a new era of downtown redevelopment.
The rise of the environmental movement prompted more public transportation and air pollution control efforts.
Aerospace, tourism, and multimedia were major industries, exemplified by companies like Hughes Aircraft, Universal Studios, and the early computer startups emerging in the Silicon Valley region to the south.
All in all, it was a transformative era that set the stage for LA’s continued growth as a global entertainment and economic powerhouse.
Economy seats on Boeing 747 (1970)
Take a look at this old photograph that shows what it was like to fly on an airplane a long time ago.
Back then, traveling by plane was a really big deal and people would dress up in their finest clothes for the occasion.
The inside of the plane looks so much fancier compared to the planes we see today.
One thing you might notice is how much more room the passengers seem to have.
The seats look bigger and there’s a lot more space for people to stretch out their legs.
It’s so different from the cramped economy class seats we’re used to nowadays.
The plane in the picture just feels more open and comfortable, with plenty of room to move around and relax during the flight.
Alice Cooper with Groucho Marx at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills (1974)
In 1970s Beverly Hills, an unlikely friendship blossomed between rock star Alice Cooper and legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
Despite their contrasting careers, they became neighbors and confidants.
Groucho, battling insomnia, would call Cooper at 1 a.m. to hang out – imagine the stories they shared!
In 1978, Alice Cooper played a pivotal role in restoring the Hollywood Sign.
The sign, deteriorating and resembling something from an apocalyptic movie, needed rescue.
Cooper approached the Chamber of Commerce, asking about the cost of each letter.
When told it was $27,000, he declared, “I’m gonna buy the first ‘O’ for Groucho [Marx].”
Thus, the Hollywood Sign’s restoration became a tribute to the legendary comedian.
In the 1950s, Los Angeles was a city undergoing significant transformation. Following the Second World War, it was evolving from a relatively small town to a sprawling metropolis, known as the city of the future.
Table of Contents
The post-war era saw the rise of automobile culture and the rapid expansion of highways, which gradually overshadowed the prominence of trains as a preferred mode of transportation.
The city’s economy was strong, with a base in farming, oil, tourism, real estate, and movies. Its motion picture industry made the city world-famous.
The music scene in Los Angeles was also flourishing during this time. Capitol Records was launched in Los Angeles in 1942 and became a serious rival to the major New York City-based companies.
Several independent labels sprang up to record local artists and meet the tastes of the city’s rapidly expanding population during the 1940s.
These labels found the teen market almost by accident—simply by being there and having the rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll music that white kids suddenly wanted. This period marked the beginning of Los Angeles’ emergence as a major center for the music industry.
Walt Disney Alone With His Thoughts at Main Street U.S.A., Moments Before Grand Opening of Disneyland (1955)
This vintage photograph gives us a rare glimpse into that very moment for Walt Disney.
Sitting alone on a park bench, Walt looks deep in thought as he gazes at the newly built Main Street U.S.A. behind him.
The iconic buildings with their fancy designs and bright colors seem to have jumped right out of a storybook.
It’s the start of something amazing that Walt has spent years imagining and working toward. In just a little while, the gates will open and Walt’s creation, the first-ever Disneyland, will finally welcome guests.
Can you picture the mix of excitement, nerves, and pride he must have felt?
All his bold ideas about building “The Happiest Place on Earth” were right there in front of him in real life.
The Stahl House, also known as Case Study House #22, is a true gem of midcentury modern architecture.
Designed by Pierre Koenig in 1959, this iconic home sits on a cliff in Los Angeles, offering a stunning view of the city below.
It’s not just the view that makes the Stahl House special; it’s also its sleek design and the way it perfectly captures the spirit of its era.
The house’s open floor plan, glass walls, and minimalist style were revolutionary at the time and continue to influence architects today. What’s really cool about the Stahl House is its story.
Clarence “Buck” Stahl had the vision for this house and, together with his wife Carlotta, found the perfect architect in Pierre Koenig to bring it to life.
Despite many architects saying it couldn’t be done, Koenig succeeded, and the house became part of the famous Case Study series, which showcased the best of modernist architecture in Southern California.
The Stahl House stands out as the most famous of these homes, a symbol of innovation and the future of design. It’s a place where history and beauty meet, making it a must-see for anyone interested in architecture.
In the 1950s, the dry concrete channels of the Los Angeles River became an unlikely venue for underground drag racing.
As the city’s urban sprawl expanded, teenage car enthusiasts sought secluded spots to test the limits of their souped-up hot rods, and the river beds provided the perfect setting. The long, straight stretches of concrete along the L.A. River system offered ideal makeshift dragstrips.
Teenagers from across the city would converge in these semi-secluded areas, lining up their customized jalopies to race against rivals and friends alike.
The roar of engines and the scent of burning rubber filled the air as these young rebels pursued their need for speed. However, this illegal activity did not go unnoticed by law enforcement.
In March 1955, the Los Angeles Times reported that police had rounded up more than 150 teenagers who had marked off a quarter-mile racing strip near the 6th Street Bridge.
While no arrests were made, the incident highlighted the growing popularity of these unauthorized drag races along the river beds. Despite occasional police crackdowns, the river bed racing scene persisted for years.
Many of the greatest racers of the era cut their teeth on these improvised tracks, chasing their dreams of running the fastest car and finding a sense of freedom in the thrill of illicit street racing.
The concrete channels of the L.A. River became a hallowed ground for a generation of automotive enthusiasts, forever etching their mark on the city’s car culture history.
Joan Bradshaw Poses by the Capitol Records Building
Model, actress and future film producer Joan Bradshaw poses by the Capitol Records building on September 8, 1957 in Los Angeles, California.
The Capitol Records Building, also known as the Capitol Records Tower, is not just a building, but a symbol of music history and an architectural marvel.
This 13-story tower, located in Hollywood, California, is a testament to the evolution of music and the artists who made it come alive.
Designed by Louis Naidorf of Welton Becket Associates, it stands as one of the city’s landmarks, and its unique circular design has led it to be described as the “world’s first circular office building”. Construction of the Capitol Records Building began soon after British music company EMI acquired Capitol Records in 1955, and was completed in April 1956.
The building is home to the consolidation of Capitol Records’ West Coast operations and houses the recording studios and echo chambers of Capitol Studios.
It has been affectionately known as “The House That Nat Built” due to the vast numbers of records and amounts of merchandise Nat King Cole sold for the company.
This iconic building continues to be a beacon of the music industry, a testament to the timeless power of music.
Helms Bakery delivery truck in the 1950s
Helms Bakery was a family-owned business that operated from 1931 to 1969 in Southern California.
It was famous for its slogan “Daily at Your Door” and its delivery coaches that brought fresh bread, cake, donuts, and cookies to the neighborhoods.
Helms Bakery was also the official baker of the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and supplied bread for the U.S. teams in subsequent games.
For many people who grew up in the 1950s, the Helms Bakery delivery truck was a source of joy and nostalgia.
They would eagerly wait for the sound of the whistle that announced the arrival of the truck, and run out to buy their favorite treats.
The truck was designed with wooden drawers that displayed the goodies, and the driver would let the kids pick what they wanted.
The Helms Bakery delivery truck was a symbol of a simpler and sweeter time, when fresh baked goods were delivered right to your door.
The oldest McDonald’s still in operation (1953). Downey, CA
In the quiet suburban city of Downey, California, a piece of fast food history still stands tall – the oldest operating McDonald’s restaurant.
This unassuming hamburger stand opened its doors on August 18, 1953, becoming only the third McDonald’s location in existence.
It was franchised by the McDonald brothers themselves, well before the involvement of business magnate Ray Kroc who would later transform the company into a global juggernaut.
With its signature golden arches and walk-up service style, this humble eatery offered a glimpse into the pioneering vision of efficient, high-quality fast food that would revolutionize the restaurant industry. For decades, the Downey McDonald’s operated in peaceful anonymity, a beloved local gem.
However, its fortunes changed in the 1990s as the McDonald’s corporation modernized, leaving this vintage restaurant as the last of its kind.
Suddenly thrust into the spotlight, it faced the threat of demolition until public outcry demanded its preservation.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation named it one of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 1994, spurring a two-year restoration effort.
What could have been yet another casualty of corporate expansion became an unlikely cultural icon – a vintage time capsule whisking customers back to the origins of one of America’s most recognized brands. Today, this architectural jewel from the golden age of drive-ins continues to serve up nostalgic charm and simple burgers to patrons young and old.
An adjacent museum offers fascinating insights into McDonald’s’ humble beginnings, while the original restaurant itself has been preserved in a state of ’50s time warp.
Stepping through its diner-style doors, one can almost envision a young Ray Kroc dreaming of a future fast food empire as he visits the McDonald brothers’ ingenious operation.
Los Angeles in the 1960s was a city of contrasts, where the sunny and glamorous image of Hollywood coexisted with the social and political turmoil of the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the counterculture.
The decade saw the emergence of diverse and influential musical styles, from the surf rock of the Beach Boys to the folk rock of the Byrds and the psychedelic rock of the Doors.
The city also became a hub for the film industry, producing classics such as The Graduate, Easy Rider, and Rosemary’s Baby.
The 1960s also witnessed the rise and fall of various subcultures and movements in Los Angeles, such as the Chicano movement, the Black Panthers, the hippies, and the Manson Family.
The city experienced some of the most violent and tragic events of the era, such as the Watts riots, the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, and the Tate-LaBianca murders.
Despite the challenges and conflicts, Los Angeles also fostered a spirit of creativity, innovation, and activism that shaped its cultural identity and legacy
Table of Contents
Los Angeles Greyhound Bus Terminal (1969)
Imagine traveling back in time to 1969 and walking into the Los Angeles Greyhound bus station.
The waiting area was filled with fancy-looking chairs that were shaped like something from outer space.
People dressed up nicely in suits and dresses to travel, and they sat in these comfy chairs while waiting for their buses.
The best part about these chairs was that each one had its own little TV attached to it. So, if you had some spare change, you could put coins into the TV and watch your favorite shows right from your seat.
It was like having your own personal theater while you waited. Today, we have smartphones and tablets to keep us busy, but back then, having a TV in your chair was a really big deal.
The Los Angeles Greyhound bus station in 1969 was a place where people could relax and enjoy themselves before starting their trips.
Dodger Stadium (1969)
The construction of Dodger Stadium is a complex and fascinating story that highlights the tensions between urban development, community interests, and political maneuverings.
In the early 1950s, the city of Los Angeles had grand plans to build a massive public housing project in the Chavez Ravine neighborhood, a vibrant community located in the hills just a few miles from downtown.
The residents of Chavez Ravine, many of whom were Mexican-American families, had built their homes and lives in this close-knit community for generations.
However, the city’s vision for the area ultimately led to their displacement, as they were forced to sell their homes to make way for the new housing development. But the story took an unexpected turn when the public housing plan fell through due to political opposition.
Instead, the city entered negotiations with the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Walter O’Malley, to bring the team to Los Angeles.
The Chavez Ravine site was then repurposed as the location for a brand-new, state-of-the-art baseball stadium – Dodger Stadium.
This decision, made without the input or consent of the displaced Chavez Ravine residents, was seen by many as a betrayal and a devastating loss of their beloved community.
The construction of Dodger Stadium, then, became a symbol of the power of urban renewal and the often-overlooked human cost of such ambitious development projects.
Len Dawson smokes at the first Super Bowl halftime (1967)
On January 15, 1967, the very first Super Bowl was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Green Bay Packers were leading the Kansas City Chiefs 14-10 at halftime.
During the break, Life magazine photographer Bill Ray captured an incredible image.
He snapped a photo of Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson sitting on a folding chair, smoking a cigarette.
Dawson was still in his dirty uniform with the number 16 on it.
The famous black and white picture (colorized here) shows Dawson taking a drag, with a bottle of Fresca soda at his feet. In those days, it was very common for football players and coaches to smoke cigarettes, even during games.
Over half the Chiefs players smoked at halftime back then, according to teammate Fred Arbanas.
While it seems crazy now, smoking was accepted and hardly seen as unhealthy in 1967.
The photo of the Chiefs’ legend Dawson puffing away has become an iconic image.
It captures how different professional football was over 50 years ago compared to today’s multi-billion dollar health-conscious league.
Dawson’s halftime smoke break will always symbolize the historic first Super Bowl.
Third Street Promenade. Santa Monica (1965)
Third Street pedestrian mall under construction in 1965 (📷: Santa Monica Public Library Image Archives)Third Street pedestrian mall shortly after its 1965 opening (📷: Los Angeles Times Photographic Archive)
In 1959, Ernest Gulsrud, president of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, proposed converting three blocks of Third Street into a pedestrian mall, inspired by Kalamazoo’s success.
Third Street struggled against newer shopping centers with ample parking.
Despite opposition from Ralphs supermarket, the city approved the plan in 1965.
On April 22, construction began with a three-minute car horn ceremony.
Charles Luckman’s $700,000 design replaced the roadway with landscaping like planters and reflecting pools.
The $1.5 million Santa Monica Mall opened November 8, 1965.
While initially popular, the Mall failed to revive the area long-term.
New parking garages hurt surrounding street life, and Santa Monica Place mall’s 1980 opening led to vacant storefronts.
By the mid-80s, the Mall floundered.
The city invested $10 million in 1987 for ROMA Design Group’s renovation, reopening September 16, 1989 as the Third Street Promenade with a 20-foot roadway amid 30-foot sidewalks.
Though vehicles were initially allowed off-peak, the Promenade’s popularity led to permanent bollards banning cars.
In 1963, former Mouseketeer and beloved actress Annette Funicello was photographed with her custom purple 1957 Ford Thunderbird on Adlon Road in Encino, California.
The vibrant purple paint job on the classic T-Bird made it a real head-turner. The car also featured stylish chrome reverse wheels, which were an upscale optional extra in those days.
The photo captures the smiling 21-year-old Funicello posing proudly next to her unique ride.
She had risen to fame as a cherubic child star on The Mickey Mouse Club in the 1950s before transitioning to a successful career as a television actress and singer.
The purple Thunderbird was fitting for the effervescent young celebrity known for roles in the popular Beach Party movies co-starring Frankie Avalon.
Funicello’s car reflected her fun-loving spirit and stood out from the typical cars of the era.
The Theme Building LAX (1965)
The Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a renowned architectural example of the Space Age design style.
The initial design was created by James Langenheim, of Pereira & Luckman.
The design was then brought to fruition by a team of architects and engineers headed by William Pereira and Charles Luckman, that also included Paul Williams and Welton Becket.
he distinctive white building, which resembles a flying saucer that has landed on its four legs, is an example of the Mid-century modern design movement later to become known as “Googie”.
The original design for the airport created by Pereira & Luckman in 1959 had all the terminal buildings and parking structures connected to a huge glass dome, which would serve as a central hub for traffic circulation.
However, the plan was eventually scaled down considerably, and the terminals were constructed elsewhere on the property.
The Theme Building was subsequently built to mark the spot intended for the dome structure, as a reminder of the original plan.
The structure was dedicated on June 25, 1961, by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The Los Angeles City Council designated the building, which lies within the Westchester neighborhood of the city of Los Angeles, a historic-cultural monument (no. 570) in 1993.
JFK “The New Frontier” Speech at the LA Coliseum
It was a historic moment for John F. Kennedy and the Democratic Party, as he accepted the nomination for president at the Los Angeles Coliseum on July 15, 1960.
He delivered a powerful speech that outlined his vision of “the New Frontier”, a set of challenges and opportunities for the American people in the 20th century.
He spoke of the need for courage, innovation, and leadership in the face of domestic and international issues, such as civil rights, poverty, education, science, and the Cold War.
He also appealed to the ideals of democracy, freedom, and human dignity, and urged his fellow citizens to join him in a quest for progress and justice.
The speech was met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the crowd of eighty thousand people, who filled the stadium with banners, signs, and balloons.
Many of them had waited for hours in the hot sun to hear Kennedy speak, and they were not disappointed.
The speech was also broadcast live on television and radio, reaching millions of viewers and listeners across the nation and the world.
It was widely praised by the media and the public, and it helped to boost Kennedy’s popularity and momentum in the presidential campaign.
The speech later became known as “The New Frontier” speech, and it is regarded as one of the most influential and memorable speeches in American political history
101 Heading Toward Bill Keene Memorial Interchange
The first stack interchange in the world, completed in 1949 and fully opened in 1953 at the northern edge of downtown Los Angeles, California.
It connects U.S. Route 101 (Hollywood Freeway and Santa Ana Freeway) to State Route 110 (Harbor Freeway and Arroyo Seco Parkway).
The interchange was designed by a team of engineers and built by the James I. Barnes Construction Company. It has four levels of viaducts and flyover ramps that allow free-flowing movement in all directions. The Arroyo Seco Parkway, also known as the Pasadena Freeway, is one of the oldest freeways built in the United States.
The parkway connects Los Angeles with Pasadena alongside the Arroyo Seco seasonal river.
It is notable not only for being an early freeway, mostly opened in 1940, but for representing the transitional phase between early parkways and later freeways.
It conformed to modern standards when it was built, but is now regarded as a narrow, outdated roadway.
The parkway is part of State Route 110, which begins at the Four Level Interchange and ends at Glenarm Street in Pasadena.
The parkway is designated a State Scenic Highway, National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, and National Scenic Byway. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
Super Bowl I, January 15, 1967 LA Coliseum
On January 15, 1967, the first Super Bowl, now a legendary event in American sports history, took place.
The Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs faced off on a sunny afternoon at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
The weather was perfect for football, with the temperature hovering around a comfortable 72 degrees. The Packers emerged victorious, defeating the Chiefs with a decisive score of 35-10.
Despite the significance of the event, ticket prices were surprisingly affordable at just $12.
However, the inaugural Super Bowl did not attract the sell-out crowds we see today, marking a humble beginning for what would become one of the most-watched events in American television history.
Walt Disney signing autographs on Main Street at Disneyland (1963)
In the report, it talked about Walt Disney’s dream of creating a family amusement park becoming a reality in 1955 with the opening of Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
The $17 million park was built on 244 acres of former orange groves, surrounded by a high berm to shut out the outside world.
Disneyland was divided into different themed lands like Main Street U.S.A., recreating Walt’s childhood memories, and exotic Adventureland with its jungle river cruise.
Walt spared no detail, using cutting-edge technology like the multi-plane camera system to create astonishing three-dimensional effects in the attractions. From day one, Disneyland was an immense success, with Walt continually adding new lands and innovations.
By 1963, additions like the Matterhorn mountain bobsled coaster and the Monorail system had been unveiled to excited guests.
Walt’s creation combined nostalgia, imagination, and technological marvels into a “magic kingdom” unlike anything ever seen before.
As the National Geographic described it, people of all ages were captivated by Walt’s ability to bring fantasies and faraway places to life through his remarkable vision and dedication to storytelling.
Los Angeles in the 1920s was a booming city that attracted people from all over the country and the world, seeking fame, fortune, or a better life.
The city was known for its thriving film industry, which produced silent movies that captivated audiences worldwide.
Hollywood became a symbol of glamour and success, as well as a source of scandals and controversies.
Table of Contents
The city also had a vibrant cultural scene, with diverse influences from its various ethnic groups, such as Mexicans, Chinese, Japanese, Armenians, Italians, and Russians.
The city hosted the first Academy Awards in 1929, and was home to many famous artists, writers, and musicians.
However, Los Angeles also faced many challenges and conflicts in the 1920s, such as water shortages, crime, corruption, racial discrimination, and labor unrest.
The city’s rapid growth and expansion caused environmental and social problems, such as pollution, congestion, and slums.
The city’s water supply was contested by the residents of the Owens Valley, who accused Los Angeles of stealing their water and sabotaged the aqueduct system.
The city also witnessed several violent incidents, such as the bombing of the Los Angeles Times building in 1910, the Ku Klux Klan raids in 1922, and the St. Francis Dam disaster in 1928.
The city’s politics were dominated by a conservative and pro-business elite, who clashed with the progressive and labor movements.
The city’s population was divided by class, race, and ethnicity, and faced discrimination and segregation in housing, education, and employment.
Hollywoodland Sign
The original Hollywood sign, erected in 1923, was initially intended to be a temporary advertisement for a new housing development in the hills above the Hollywood district of Los Angeles.
The sign, which read “HOLLYWOODLAND”, was commissioned by real estate developers Woodruff and Shoults to promote their development.
The sign was constructed of 3ft by 9ft metal squares rigged together by an intricate frame of scaffolding, pipes, wires, and telephone poles.
Each of the original 13 letters was 30ft wide and approximately 43ft tall.
At night, the sign blinked into the Hollywood night: first ‘Holly’, then ‘wood’, and finally ‘land’, punctuated by a giant period.
The sign was altered in late 1949, changing from “HOLLYWOODLAND” to just “HOLLYWOOD”.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce decided to take over maintenance and ownership, repairing the sign but cutting the “land,” so it stopped referencing one specific housing development.
This change was made because by then, the sign had become such a fixture in town.
In 1978, the letters were all completely torn down and rebuilt thanks to a fundraiser from Playboy’s Hugh Hefner, where he got his famous friends to each sponsor a letter at $27,777 each.
Since then, the sign has been the target of pranksters who sometimes drape tarps or strategically cover letters to have the sign spell out different things.
1930 Movie Premiere of Morocco starring Marlene Dietrich at Grauman’s Chinese Theater
The Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is a famous movie palace in Hollywood, Los Angeles, that opened in 1927.
It was built by Sid Grauman, a showman and one of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who wanted to create a lavish and exotic theater that would attract moviegoers.
The theater is designed in the style of a Chinese palace, with a pagoda-shaped roof, dragon carvings, and a forecourt with handprints and footprints of celebrities.
The theater has hosted many premieres, including the 1977 launch of Star Wars, as well as birthday parties, corporate junkets, and three Academy Awards ceremonies. The theater has undergone several changes of ownership and name over the years.
It was renamed Mann’s Chinese Theatre in 1973, and reverted to its original name in 2001.
In 2013, Chinese electronics manufacturer TCL Corporation purchased the facility’s naming rights and converted the screen to IMAX.
The theater is now called TCL Chinese Theatre and continues to be a popular tourist attraction and a cultural icon in Hollywood
Los Angeles in the 1940s was a city of contrasts, where the glamour of Hollywood coexisted with the grittiness of crime and corruption.
The city attracted thousands of hopefuls who dreamed of stardom and success, but also faced the harsh realities of the Depression, the war, and the racial tensions.
Table of Contents
The culture of Los Angeles was shaped by the diverse influences of its residents, who came from various ethnic, social, and artistic backgrounds.
The city was also a hub of creativity and innovation, where new forms of art, music, and literature emerged. The film industry flourished, producing iconic movies such as Citizen Kane, Casablanca, and Double Indemnity.
The noir genre, inspired by the hard-boiled fiction of writers like Raymond Chandler and Nathanael West, captured the dark and cynical mood of the city.
The music scene was vibrant, with genres such as jazz, swing, and blues. The art world was eclectic, with artists such as David Alfaro Siqueiros, Man Ray, and Jackson Pollock.
The literary scene was diverse, with writers such as John Fante, Thomas Mann, and Aldous Huxley.
The culture of Los Angeles in the 1940s was a reflection of its complex and dynamic identity.
Billionaire Howard Hughes Critically Injured in 1946 After Crashing This XF-11 Plane
On July 7, 1946, Howard Hughes embarked on the maiden flight of the XF-11, an experimental Army photographic plane he had designed.
However, this historic flight took a tragic turn.
Hughes, the billionaire airplane manufacturer, oilman, and motion-picture producer, was critically injured when the XF-11 crashed in Beverly Hills.
During the flight, an oil leak caused the propellers to reverse their pitch, leading to a loss of altitude.
Hughes seemed to aim for the Los Angeles Country Club golf course, where he likely intended to crash-land the twin-engine aircraft.
Actor Dennis O’Keefe, who witnessed the incident from his home, described the plane as flying at an extremely low altitude based on the sound of its engines.
Unfortunately, Hughes fell approximately 300 feet short of the golf course, resulting in a treetop-clipping attempt.
The crash destroyed three homes and the aircraft.
Rescuers pulled Hughes away from the burning wreckage, saving his life.
Hughes suffered burns on 78 percent of his body and severe injuries, but his survival was a testament to their quick thinking and bravery.
Despite the physical scars, Hughes rallied and continued his aviation endeavors, leaving an indelible mark on history.
“Motormat” at The Track
The Motormat was a novel system of food delivery that used conveyor belts to replace carhops at a drive-in restaurant in Los Angeles in 1948.
Customers would order and pay through a metal bin that moved along rails, and receive their food and change in the same way.
The inventor claimed that this method was faster and more convenient than the usual drive-in service.
However, the Motormat did not catch on, and the drive-in that adopted it, The Track, struggled to compete with the traditional carhops.
Westwood Village 1941
Westwood Village 1941The photo captures a street scene of Westwood Village in 1941, a newly developed commercial and residential area near UCLA.
The photo is taken from the approximate corner of Ashton Avenue and Westwood Boulevard, looking north.
The street is lined with palm trees, shops, and restaurants, and filled with vintage cars and pedestrians.
The most prominent feature of the photo is the Janss Dome, a historic building with a colorful terra cotta dome and a Moorish zig-zag pattern.
The Janss Dome was the first building erected in Westwood Village in 1929, and it housed the headquarters of the Janss Investment Company, the developers of the village.
The dome, along with the white towers of the nearby movie theaters, served as a landmark and a symbol of the Mediterranean-themed Westwood Village.
The Janss Dome still stands today, and it is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The photo reflects the history and culture of Los Angeles in the early 20th century, when the city was booming and expanding.
Westwood Village was one of the many suburban communities that emerged as a result of the automobile industry, the oil industry, and the entertainment industry.
The photo also shows the influence of Spanish and Moorish architecture on the city’s design, as well as the diversity and vitality of its population.
The photo is a snapshot of a time when Los Angeles was transforming from a small town to a major metropolis, and when Westwood Village was a new and exciting destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
1940s Los Angeles Residential Neighborhood
Los Angeles in the 1940s was a city undergoing rapid growth, fueled by the booming wartime economy and the allure of sunshine and opportunity.
This growth was reflected in its residential areas, which saw the construction of countless single-family homes, particularly in the expanding suburbs.
These neighborhoods were typically characterized by their uniformity, with rows of similar houses on tree-lined streets.
Car ownership was becoming increasingly common. The cost of a new sedan could range from around $800 to $2,000, depending on the make and model, which was a significant sum for many families during this period.
This, combined with limited public transportation options, meant that car ownership was often a necessity for those living outside of the city center.
