noirish Los Angeles

[Earl Boebert]

Well, the sign on the shack to the right says something like:

Consolidated Ro[ofing?]
Products Company
Rock Sand Cement
Truck[?] Milled[?] Co[???]
Building Materials[?]

If that helps.

Cheers,

Earl

[GaylordWilshire]

The Consolidated Rock Company appears to have moved around a good bit in the 30s & 40s... can't align any of its addresses with the few Roberts outlets. A 1939 CD listing has it in an office on Melrose with a plant at 6213 Compton Ave... the tin building at the far right of the first photo may have been part of that. Someone here will manage a connection sooner or later...

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by Martin Pal

When I did a post about Fort MacArthur [HERE] I included a link that has information about the Battery Leary - Merriam area, and the other areas on that photograph as well. This whole area has been used for different purposes over the decades and also changed, in part, too (for example, part of the area was filled in), so it's hard to answer some of the questions "simply", because you can't always compare the now and then photographs as being the same thing, if that makes sense.

Here's the link to the Merriam location in particular, but you can navigate from there all around the area for other information.

http://www.ftmac.org/Leary-Merriam.htm

Thanks for the reminder Martin Pal.

But the Gaffey observation telescopes in the old postcard were located across the street from the Merriam & Leary Batteries. ("Lookout Point Park" in the aerial below)



My question was....







While I was snooping around on Gaffey Street, I noticed this building above and behind the lookout area.


gsv

As you can see it's the 'Marine Exchange Vessel Traffic Center'. (at this location since 1989)



Originally, the Marine Exchange was located on the roof of Warehouse #1.


www.dailybreeze.com


Excerpt from a history of Warehouse #1

"Starting in the early 1920s, the Marine Exchange operated on its roof, providing lookout reports on ships entering and leaving the port.[11] In 1925, the Radio Corporation of America located its harbor receiving station to the top of the massive warehouse.[12] A new four-room lookout station for use by the Marine Exchange was built in 1928 atop the warehouse. The new station had a large circular window giving telescopes a commanding view of the harbor and ocean, and also included a neon red beacon which shed a red glow over the building at night."


Here's Warehouse No.1 today.


http://www.panoramio.com/photo/24552021
__

[CityBoyDoug]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Now I'm thinking these might be old gun mounts.
Does anyone know, were there ever guns at this overlook area?
__


*I just found this 1937 aerial that shows the area in question. (just above the word 'Merriam)


http://www.fortwiki.com/Fort_MacArthur


close-up


...but it doesn't give me any answers.

In fact it leads to more questions. In this view there are six objects. Are these cars...or something else?

__

ER: As far as I know there were guns in those mounts during WW II. I've driven my car all over that area where the old coastal guns were but now I believe they are fenced off with no civilian access.


Coastal gun ...14"

jimgould

[Martin Pal]

Originally Posted by HossC

The only building permit I can find for 8901 Santa Monica Boulevard is from 1940. I've also looked at Historic Aerials, and the current building appears to have exactly the same footprint as in older views. Maybe it was just an extreme makeover.
------------------------

HossC, that seems pretty odd to me that there's only one building permit for this location from 1940 when the building looks so different...

...from the early 50's:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

http://www.ednasantiqueshop.com/holl...olley_line.htm

& lunch on me at Chasen's for whomever can tell me what this 'art deco' building is (below)


detail
________________________________________

...to the 70's or very early 80's:
(I know the Bank of Los Angeles was at least there in 1983.)

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

eBay

________________________________________

...to today:

Originally Posted by HossC

GSV
________________________________________

There is no second floor in the bank now, it's all open space up to the ceiling, nor a second floor at the Rage nightclub next door. Wouldn't any of that require a building permit of some kind?

[HossC]

Could this be the reason why there aren't more building records fo 8901 Santa Monica Boulevard?


Online Building Records

[ethereal_reality]

I don't believe we've seen this interesting photo on NLA.

"1950, What will be Universal City entrance." -seller's description.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/pic-historic...YAAOSwtJZXXE9g

So is the seller correct, is this the right spot for the future entrance?

note: The sign on the hillside is advertising "150 Acres".






Detail, left side.


I believe this might be a glimpse of the old studio buildings (shown below, in a photograph from 1914)






https://www.pinterest.com/pin/554365035352995822/

__

_

[Tourmaline]

Originally Posted by HossC

There's no location or date, and there aren't even any vehicles to help out. We've seen another Robert's Drive-In a few times on NLA, but this one uses a different style of lettering. It might not even have been in Los Angeles. Anyway, it's "Job R-1: Roberts Drive-In, 19??".

Like the song says, "Pico and Sepulveda."

Note, the Sepulveda has a "Cantina" Cocktail Bar. Signage matches too.

http://wesclark.com/burbank/roberts_..._menu_back.jpg



http://wesclark.com/burbank/roberts_drive_in_bag.jpg

[ethereal_reality]

I believe this photograph (ambrotype?) of a schoolboy standing in front of the Bradbury Mansion is new to NLA.


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...4f4c294c2a.jpg

I adjusted the contrast a bit.




At first glance, I thought the white shape behind his back was a set of steps leading to the next door neighbors, but it's pretty clear they're books slung over his shoulder
(by a leather strap)


detail

__

I apologize if f we have already discussed this photograph on NLA.

[ethereal_reality]

I just happened across this aerial on eBay a few minutes ago.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/LA4-1960s-Lo...QAAOSwbYZXVK7J

"Hollywood Freeway Clover Leaf -looking S.E. Bob Martin"





detail / enlarged



stamp on reverse



__

[MichaelRyerson]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

I believe this photograph (ambrotype?) of a schoolboy standing in front of the Bradbury Mansion is new to NLA.


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...4f4c294c2a.jpg

I adjusted the contrast a bit.




At first glance, I thought the white shape behind his back was a set of steps leading to the next door neighbors, but it's pretty clear they're books slung over his shoulder
(by a leather strap)


detail

__

I apologize if f we have already discussed this photograph on NLA.

Could very easily be one of Sarah's kids but I think by this time Bixby-Smith had moved to Berkeley and then Pomona. I don't think she had any continuing connection to the old family home. But this young man is standing on the Bixby front lawn.

[HossC]

Originally Posted by HossC

Getty Research Institute

Thanks to Earl Boebert and GaylordWilshire for adding some clues to the location of the Robert's Drive-In that I posted yesterday, and to Tourmaline for finally tracking it down. Here's an aerial view from 1947. The circular drive-in building is visible up until 1972 (it's gone by 1980), but the "La Cantina" building only matches the Shulman photo in the 1947 and 1952 views.


Historic Aerials

[Tourmaline]

Originally Posted by GaylordWilshire

The Perry Mason Courthouse: the entrance at right is at Hill and 1st.
Note the clock, which echoes the clocks on previous L. A. County Courthouses.

USC/Doheny Library/California Historical Society

And here is Mr. Mason in his courthouse annex at the studio:


More on the courthouse:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thed...se_of_the.html

http://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/...vic-buildings/

Not for long . . .


Well before Mr. Mason stepped foot in 111 N. Hill Street, the neighborhood, as we all know, for better or worse, had a far different complexion. I can't recall seeing this image on NLA.

1959 - Courthouse construction
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics17/00018416.jpg









Regarding the Roberts Bros' Pico and Sepulveda locale, and the nearby construction materials advertisements , there are a few 1934 images of Anawalt Lumber Co., which is still there, although the street number has been changed.



1934
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/si...coll65/id/1940




1934 - 11086 West Pico
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/si...coll65/id/1938

[Tourmaline]

Was Monkey Island climatized for all seasons?


Speculation re Monkey Island's demise includes Cahuenga Pass construction and the advent of WW2. One wonders whether cold weather had anything to do with it. Jungle primates probably did not take well to cavorting outside during inclement weather. Same with visitors preferring to toss peanuts in short sleeves.

From left to right: Tom Keene, Honorary Mayor of Sherman Oaks; Governor Culbert Olson; John B. Kingsley, Pres. of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Bowron; Gene Autry, actor and singer; Mayor Frank C. Gillson of Burbank; and Richard Arlen.

June 15, 1940 Cahuenga Pass celebration.
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics43/00041083.jpg




Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?


Bbbrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrr.


1948 - A very cold-looking Cahuenga Pass.
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics03/00011473.jpg



Cold enough for an extra slug?






(May 1961 or December 1961? Source offers conflicting dates.)

Cowboy star Gene Autry is free on $263 bail following his arrest in Studio City on a drunk driving charge. Autry 52, of XXX Berkdale Drive, Studio City, was arrested after his car was stopped at Laurel Canyon and Ventura Blvds.

Not to worry. Mr. Autry acquitted!


March 17, 1962

"Cowboy singing star Gene Autry, right, confers with attorney Thomas F. Call after he was found innocent of drunk driving charges Friday in Van Nuys Municipal Court. Autry, 53, co-owner of the Los Angeles Angels baseball club, was arrested Dec. 6 near his home in Studio City. A jury of six men and six women deliberated 1 1/2 hours.

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00113/00113519.jpg

[HossC]

I'm afraid there's no mystery about today's Julius Shulman location, although there aren't any clues in the first picture. This is "Job 867: Crane Company, breakfast meeting, pipe warehouse,1950". I wonder what colors were used to paint that beautiful ceiling.



I posted a selection of Julius Shulman photos of the Crane Company's offices on E 3rd Street (also from 1950) in post #33136. I think the man closest to the camera in the picture above is the same one who appeared in several of those images. As the title of this set says, these two images show the pipe warehouse down by the river.



The last shot shows the familiar Downtown gasometers with the top of the Friedman Bag Co in front .



All from Getty Research Institute

I was going to finish with a view from Historic Aerials, but then I found the picture below in one of e_r's early posts. It shows the Crane Co building just above and to the left of the Brew 102 sign. The Crane Co building had gone by 1964.

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Here is a photograph showing the Brew 102 Building Sopas_ej. It was taken from the top of City Hall in 1952.


USC Digital Library

[Martin Pal]

Originally Posted by HossC

Could this be the reason why there aren't more building records fo 8901 Santa Monica Boulevard?
________________________________

LOL!

Interesting that in 1940 it was a Thrifty Drug Store. I remember those.

________________________________

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

__
I apologize if f we have already discussed this photograph on NLA.

At this point with the success of NLA, I don't see a need for apologies from anyone if they repost something! When I've looked for things I come across posts I've completely forgotten about! Or posts with missing photographs. And most other times I don't remind revisiting things! Thanks!

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by HossC

I'm afraid there's no mystery about today's Julius Shulman location, although there aren't any clues in the first picture. This is "Job 867: Crane Company, breakfast meeting, pipe warehouse,1950". I wonder what colors were used to paint that beautiful ceiling.

Hoss, this interior is so intriguing.

You say there's no mystery (then you mention no clues), and the title makes it sound like it was taken at the warehouse....but surely this isn't the warehouse, right?

I really want to find out where this was taken.



I thought there might be a clue on the table, like a logo on the china or water pitchers. (I found nothing)


detail



Here's a look into the larger darkened room beyond the executives (lightened a bit)


detail


and a closer look at the ceiling and lights.


detail

Was this an 'executive room', like a 'rathskeller' built within the warehouse, or a restaurant somewhere close to downtown?

[HossC]

When I found e_r's picture of Brew 102 in the USCDL (I added the link to e_r's quote), I discovered it was part of a set called "Pictorial review, 1952". This is one of the other images which shows Temple Street. On the left is the St Angelo on N Grand Avenue not long before demolition. On the other side of Temple, the large white building is the County Coroner's Office that we discussed back in January.


USC Digital Library

Below, as a reminder, I've merged two of the images posted by e_r to show the whole building (as the Music Centre Annex).


Originals from eBay

[ethereal_reality]

Very interesting Hoss. I never noticed the County Coroner's building in that 1952 photo.
__




We've seen numerous photos on NLA of people posing on the corner of Hollywood and Vine.

Here's a new one of a woman posing in 1963.


eBay

The woman isn't posing for the photographer of this slide. (you'll see in the next photograph)
__






eBay

I don't think the photographer (of the two slides) even knew these two people.

[HossC]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

I don't believe we've seen this interesting photo on NLA.

"1950, What will be Universal City entrance." -seller's description.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/pic-historic...YAAOSwtJZXXE9g

So is the seller correct, is this the right spot for the future entrance?

note: The sign on the hillside is advertising "150 Acres".

I think the hills on the right of the picture above can be seen just below the center of this 1952 aerial view.


Historic Aerials

For comparison, here's a current view.


Bing Maps