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What Los Angeles looked like in the 1930s

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Los Angeles in the 1930s was a rapidly growing metropolis, with a population that increased from just over 1 million in 1930 to almost 1.5 million by 1940. The city was undergoing significant changes during this time, as it emerged as a major center for the motion picture industry and experienced significant growth in manufacturing and oil production.

The Great Depression hit Los Angeles hard, with unemployment rates reaching as high as 30% in some areas. Many residents struggled to make ends meet, and the number of homeless people living on the streets increased significantly. Despite the economic hardships, the city’s residents remained resilient, and the decade saw the rise of several important social and cultural movements, including the labor movement and the Civil Rights Movement.

The 1930s also saw the development of many iconic Los Angeles landmarks, including the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and the Hollywood Sign. The decade was also marked by several significant natural disasters, including a powerful earthquake in 1933 that caused widespread damage and loss of life.

The city’s cultural scene was also thriving in the 1930s, with the opening of the famous Hollywood Palladium and the growth of the film industry. Many of the most famous movies of all time were made during this decade, and the city became a mecca for aspiring actors and actresses. The decade also saw the rise of jazz music, with many jazz clubs opening in the city, particularly in the Central Avenue area.

These amazing historical pictures capture famous streets, roads, and everyday life of Los Angeles in the 1930s. Vote your favorites, and don’t forget to share.

#2 Girl waiting for bus on Beverly Boulevard, interesection at Van Ness, July 17, 1931

Girl waiting for bus on Beverly Boulevard, interesection at Van Ness, July 17, 1931

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#4 Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

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#5 Caliente Golf Park, 4th Street and Vermont Avenue, 1931

Caliente Golf Park, 4th Street and Vermont Avenue, 1931

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#7 Looking northeast on Figueroa from tunnel no. 1, 1935

Looking northeast on Figueroa from tunnel no. 1, 1935

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#8 Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

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#9 Crowds watching an American football match at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 1930.

Crowds watching an American football match at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 1930.

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#13 Intersection West Temple Street and North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA, 1932

Intersection West Temple Street and North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA, 1932

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#15 May Company Department Store golden jubilee, 8th Street and Broadway, 1931

May Company Department Store golden jubilee, 8th Street and Broadway, 1931

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#18 Los Angeles City Hall, Los Angeles, California, with the third Los Angeles Times Building on the right, 1930

Los Angeles City Hall, Los Angeles, California, with the third Los Angeles Times Building on the right, 1930

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#19 An exterior shot of Joan Fontaine’s house in Hollywood, signed to RKO, 1930.

An exterior shot of Joan Fontaine's house in Hollywood, signed to RKO, 1930.

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#21 Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

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#22 Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

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#23 Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

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#24 Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

Crowds at Broadway and 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1930

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#27 Intersection West Temple Street and North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA, 1932

Intersection West Temple Street and North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA, 1932

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#28 Intersection West Temple Street and North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA, 1932

Intersection West Temple Street and North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA, 1932

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#30 Intersection West Temple Street and North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA, 1932

Intersection West Temple Street and North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA, 1932

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#33 Looking west on Apablasa Street from Juan Street, 1933

Looking west on Apablasa Street from Juan Street, 1933

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#36 Looking east on Wilshire Boulevard at Vermont Avenue, 1934

Looking east on Wilshire Boulevard at Vermont Avenue, 1934

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#40 Looking east on Wilshire Boulevard at Berendo Street, 1936

Looking east on Wilshire Boulevard at Berendo Street, 1936

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#44 A young gentleman headed south on Grand Avenue across from the Mayflower Hotel, 1937

A young gentleman headed south on Grand Avenue across from the Mayflower Hotel, 1937

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#45 Biltmore Florists, Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 1937

Biltmore Florists, Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 1937

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#52 Union Pacific building, Hill and 6th streets, 1937

Union Pacific building, Hill and 6th streets, 1937

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#57 Looking east on W 43rd Place at Garthwaite Avenue, 1938

Looking east on W 43rd Place at Garthwaite Avenue, 1938

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#60 Looking west on Hollywood Boulevard at Cahuenga, 1938

Looking west on Hollywood Boulevard at Cahuenga, 1938

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#61 Warner Brothers Downtown, 7th and Hill Streets, 1938

Warner Brothers Downtown, 7th and Hill Streets, 1938

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#64 Looking west on Wilshire Boulevard at S Westlake Avenue, 1939

Looking west on Wilshire Boulevard at S Westlake Avenue, 1939

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#69 Hanging laundry at Olympic Trailer Court on the border of Santa Monica and West Los Angeles.

Hanging laundry at Olympic Trailer Court on the border of Santa Monica and West Los Angeles.

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#70 Workers at Lockheed’s Burbank plant gathered on their lunch break.

Workers at Lockheed’s Burbank plant gathered on their lunch break.

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#71 A young girl outside a market at Olympic Trailer Court.

A young girl outside a market at Olympic Trailer Court.

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#73 A man on an unidentified street in Burbank. In the distance is a Lockheed plant.

A man on an unidentified street in Burbank. In the distance is a Lockheed plant.

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#74 Residents at Olympic Trailer Court. A booming defense industry fueled fierce demand for temporary housing.

Residents at Olympic Trailer Court. A booming defense industry fueled fierce demand for temporary housing.

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#75 The Court Flight railway took passengers up and down a steep incline in downtown Los Angeles.

The Court Flight railway took passengers up and down a steep incline in downtown Los Angeles.

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#76 Douglas Aircraft Company workers on their lunch break in Santa Monica.

Douglas Aircraft Company workers on their lunch break in Santa Monica.

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#77 A woman wiped off the counter of a lunch stand near an aircraft plant in the Los Angeles area.

A woman wiped off the counter of a lunch stand near an aircraft plant in the Los Angeles area.

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#78 Shoppers on Lindbrook Drive in Westwood Village, home to a Sears and Ralphs supermarket.

Shoppers on Lindbrook Drive in Westwood Village, home to a Sears and Ralphs supermarket.

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#79 An oil field covered with derricks in an unidentified area of Los Angeles.

An oil field covered with derricks in an unidentified area of Los Angeles.

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#80 Employees of Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Burbank leave the plant at the end of their shifts.

Employees of Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Burbank leave the plant at the end of their shifts.

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#81 A father talks to his two young sons at Olympic Trailer Court.

A father talks to his two young sons at Olympic Trailer Court.

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#82 A young man walked by a hot dog stand on Washington Boulevard.

A young man walked by a hot dog stand on Washington Boulevard.

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#83 A Los Angeles Railway bus traveled through Los Angeles.

A Los Angeles Railway bus traveled through Los Angeles.

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#84 People gathered for a bowling tournament at Burbank Bowl.

People gathered for a bowling tournament at Burbank Bowl.

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#86 Lockheed workers in Burbank lined up to buy lunch.

Lockheed workers in Burbank lined up to buy lunch.

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#87 Employees of the Douglas Aircraft plant, located at Santa Monica Airport, awaited a ride to work.

Employees of the Douglas Aircraft plant, located at Santa Monica Airport, awaited a ride to work.

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#88 An ice cream vendor looked for customers near the Douglas Aircraft Company plant in Santa Monica.

An ice cream vendor looked for customers near the Douglas Aircraft Company plant in Santa Monica.

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#89 The palm-lined South Kenmore Avenue in Los Angeles.

The palm-lined South Kenmore Avenue in Los Angeles.

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#91 Wilshire Boulevard at Catalina, with the Mona Lisa Restaurant at the left, the Immanuel Presbyterian Church across the street, and Bullock’s Wilshire Department Store tower can be seen further west on Wilshire, Los Angeles, 1938.

Wilshire Boulevard at Catalina, with the Mona Lisa Restaurant at the left, the Immanuel Presbyterian Church across the street, and Bullock's Wilshire Department Store tower can be seen further west on Wilshire, Los Angeles, 1938.

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#92 View of unfinished CBS Columbia Square KNX Art Deco style building, looking northwest from Gower Street, Los Angeles, 1938

View of unfinished CBS Columbia Square KNX Art Deco style building, looking northwest from Gower Street, Los Angeles, 1938

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#93 Howard Hughes’ world-circling plane pictured from an American Airlines plane as it flew over Los Angeles, 1983

Howard Hughes' world-circling plane pictured from an American Airlines plane as it flew over Los Angeles, 1983

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#94 Laurence Olivier as he arrived this morning on the Normandie, en route to Hollywood where he will play opposite Merle Oberon in “Wuthering Heights” – 1939.

Laurence Olivier as he arrived this morning on the Normandie, en route to Hollywood where he will play opposite Merle Oberon in "Wuthering Heights" - 1939.

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#95 Looking east on Wilshire Blvd at Hoover St with Simon’s Drive-In in the lower right and the Arcady Hotel a couple of blocks up on the left, Los Angeles, 1939.

Looking east on Wilshire Blvd at Hoover St with Simon's Drive-In in the lower right and the Arcady Hotel a couple of blocks up on the left, Los Angeles, 1939.

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#96 The Twin Barrels drive-in restaurant near Los Angeles, 1939.

The Twin Barrels drive-in restaurant near Los Angeles, 1939.

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#97 Screen Actors Guild marching in Labor Day Parade. Forty thousand union men and women marched through the streets of Los Angeles to demonstrate their rising strength. None but AFL unions were represented.

Screen Actors Guild marching in Labor Day Parade. Forty thousand union men and women marched through the streets of Los Angeles to demonstrate their rising strength. None but AFL unions were represented.

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#98 Black and white photograph of staff posed in Earl’s Light House Restaurant

Black and white photograph of staff posed in Earl's Light House Restaurant

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#99 Howard Hughes, motion picture producer, was at the controls when his Mystery Plane had its first real test flight in Los Angeles, 1935

Howard Hughes, motion picture producer, was at the controls when his Mystery Plane had its first real test flight in Los Angeles, 1935

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#100 Polo-school team of the Mabelle Scott Rancho School in Santa Monica, 1937.

Polo-school team of the Mabelle Scott Rancho School in Santa Monica, 1937.

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#101 A night view down Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, 1937.

A night view down Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, 1937.

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#102 At this junction of two suburban roads, District Attorney Buron Fitts narrowly escaped death when ambushers fired shots that wounded him in the arm, 1936

At this junction of two suburban roads, District Attorney Buron Fitts narrowly escaped death when ambushers fired shots that wounded him in the arm, 1936

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#103 High angle view of the Santa Claus Lane Parade on an illuminated Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, 1934

High angle view of the Santa Claus Lane Parade on an illuminated Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, 1934

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#104 Pause in a Hollywood studio. Extras and actors of the Hollywood Beauty Chorus in the movie ‘Footlight Parade’ shot from above, 1934.

Pause in a Hollywood studio. Extras and actors of the Hollywood Beauty Chorus in the movie 'Footlight Parade' shot from above, 1934.

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#106 Jazz band playing in the swimming pool at the Santa Monica Hotel. There are girls eating and dancing as well – June 19, 1933.

Jazz band playing in the swimming pool at the Santa Monica Hotel. There are girls eating and dancing as well - June 19, 1933.

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#107 A group of boys made diving helmets from sections of hot water heaters, boilers and other easily secured “junk”. Los Angeles. USA – June 23, 1933.

A group of boys made diving helmets from sections of hot water heaters, boilers and other easily secured "junk". Los Angeles. USA - June 23, 1933.

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#108 Loud speakers protrude from the Hollywood Tower at the Century of Progress International Exposition (1934).

Loud speakers protrude from the Hollywood Tower at the Century of Progress International Exposition (1934).

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#109 Actors in costume and horses during Amazon staging.

Actors in costume and horses during Amazon staging.

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#110 A record breaking stack of tires is used as advertisement at Hollywood, California. To attract attention to a large stock of used tires two salesmen put a lifelike dummy sitting on the top. 2044

A record breaking stack of tires is used as advertisement at Hollywood, California. To attract attention to a large stock of used tires two salesmen put a lifelike dummy sitting on the top. 2044

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#111 Sylvia Sidney (1910 – 1999) the American film and television actress on the beach in front of her Malibu home where she spends her time when she is not working

Sylvia Sidney (1910 - 1999) the American film and television actress on the beach in front of her Malibu home where she spends her time when she is not working

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#112 A procession passes Los Angeles’ new $10,000,000 City Hall at the opening ceremony for the building which is surmounted by the Lindbergh Beacon 500 feet above street level – December 4, 1930.

A procession passes Los Angeles' new $10,000,000 City Hall at the opening ceremony for the building which is surmounted by the Lindbergh Beacon 500 feet above street level - December 4, 1930.

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#113 Aerial view of Warner Brothers Studios – undated.

Aerial view of Warner Brothers Studios - undated.

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#114 Sixth Street, looking west from Main street, Los Angeles, California, early to mid 20th century

Sixth Street, looking west from Main street, Los Angeles, California, early to mid 20th century

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#115 A view, looking north from Seventh Street, of crowds on Broadway, Los Angeles, California, 1930.

A view, looking north from Seventh Street, of crowds on Broadway, Los Angeles, California, 1930.

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#116 A suburban boulevard in the Wilshire district of Los Angeles, California, 1930.

A suburban boulevard in the Wilshire district of Los Angeles, California, 1930.

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#117 A bunch of people in front of Charlie Chaplin’s studio in the heart of Hollywood

A bunch of people in front of Charlie Chaplin's studio in the heart of Hollywood

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#118 View of Hollywood Boulevard. Hollywood. Los Angeles. California, 1930

View of Hollywood Boulevard. Hollywood. Los Angeles. California, 1930

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#119 Two young Americans, who had just won a model aircraft contest in Los Angeles, 1930s

Two young Americans, who had just won a model aircraft contest in Los Angeles, 1930s

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#120 A view over Hollywood Boulevard and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (bottom, left), Hollywood, California.

A view over Hollywood Boulevard and Grauman's Chinese Theatre (bottom, left), Hollywood, California.

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#121 The mock Tudor house of American actor Warner Baxter at Bel Air, Los Angeles, 1930s.

The mock Tudor house of American actor Warner Baxter at Bel Air, Los Angeles, 1930s.

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#122 An exterior view of the home of Ramon Novarro, the Metro Goldwyn Mayer star, designed by Ramon Novarro himself, situated in the hills overlooking Los Angeles, 1930.

An exterior view of the home of Ramon Novarro, the Metro Goldwyn Mayer star, designed by Ramon Novarro himself, situated in the hills overlooking Los Angeles, 1930.

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#123 Exterior view of a woman entering the hat-shaped Brown Derby restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard, opposite the Ambassador Hotel in Hollywood, California, 1930

Exterior view of a woman entering the hat-shaped Brown Derby restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard, opposite the Ambassador Hotel in Hollywood, California, 1930

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#124 Audience members queue in line to enter the CBS Radio program, Man About Hollywood, which broadcasts from CBS KNX studios at Columbia Square, 1939.

Audience members queue in line to enter the CBS Radio program, Man About Hollywood, which broadcasts from CBS KNX studios at Columbia Square, 1939.

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#125 Exterior view of the Los Angeles Examiner Building, situated at the southwest corner of Broadway and 11th Streets in Los Angeles, 1939.

Exterior view of the Los Angeles Examiner Building, situated at the southwest corner of Broadway and 11th Streets in Los Angeles, 1939.

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#126 Exterior view of the CBS Columbia Square KNX Art Deco style building on Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, California, 1938.

Exterior view of the CBS Columbia Square KNX Art Deco style building on Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, California, 1938.

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#127 View of unfinished CBS Columbia Square KNX Art Deco style building, looking northwest from Gower Street, Los Angeles, 1938.

View of unfinished CBS Columbia Square KNX Art Deco style building, looking northwest from Gower Street, Los Angeles, 1938.

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#128 A view of actor George Brent House in the Toluca Lake area in Los Angeles, 1935.

A view of actor George Brent House in the Toluca Lake area in Los Angeles, 1935.

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#129 Joe Crocker poses in a race car at the speedway with a group of spectators milling about in the background, 1935.

Joe Crocker poses in a race car at the speedway with a group of spectators milling about in the background, 1935.

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#130 High angle view of the Santa Claus Lane Parade on an illuminated Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, 1934.

High angle view of the Santa Claus Lane Parade on an illuminated Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, 1934.

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#131 Aerial view of the Westwood campus of the University of California, with the Royce Hall building (top, centre), Kerckhoff Hall (bottom, right) in the Westwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 1934.

Aerial view of the Westwood campus of the University of California, with the Royce Hall building (top, centre), Kerckhoff Hall (bottom, right) in the Westwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 1934.

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#132 Crowds at the West Coast premiere of Eddie Cantor’s The Kid from Spain at the Warner Brothers’ Western Theater, on the corner of Wilshire and Western in Los Angeles, 1930s.

Crowds at the West Coast premiere of Eddie Cantor's The Kid from Spain at the Warner Brothers' Western Theater, on the corner of Wilshire and Western in Los Angeles, 1930s.

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#133 Exterior of Tux Tavern, a small building with a Tux Tavern sign on top, wood siding and a ladder leading against it, 1930s.

Exterior of Tux Tavern, a small building with a Tux Tavern sign on top, wood siding and a ladder leading against it, 1930s.

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#135 High angle view looking north on Broadway from 11th Street, with the Western Costume Building on the left, with a Texaco sign beyond that, 1930

High angle view looking north on Broadway from 11th Street, with the Western Costume Building on the left, with a Texaco sign beyond that, 1930

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#140 Three men relaxed on a bench overlooking South Hill Street in Los Angeles.

Three men relaxed on a bench overlooking South Hill Street in Los Angeles.

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#141 A newsstand offered snacks, comic books, and even Lockheed uniforms in Burbank.

A newsstand offered snacks, comic books, and even Lockheed uniforms in Burbank.

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#142 Eatery serving ‘Grill-Burgers’ and other dishes that is shaped like a ‘Chili Bowl’, 1939.

Eatery serving 'Grill-Burgers' and other dishes that is shaped like a 'Chili Bowl', 1939.

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#143 The exterior of the ‘Cafe Trocadero’, a nightclub on Sunset Strip, a stretch of Sunset Boulevard, in West Hollywood, 1937.

The exterior of the 'Cafe Trocadero', a nightclub on Sunset Strip, a stretch of Sunset Boulevard, in West Hollywood, 1937.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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4 Comments

  2. Some truly fascinating, wonderful photos here, but one sticks out to me – Number 58.

    There’s nothing entirely special about it, I’m just flabbergasted about how that neighborhood, which I’m in at that exact moment, can have 2’+ of standing water.

    I was complaining just last week about how terrible the drainage is in my neighborhood. I guess it’s gotten better over the years.

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