Views of Los Angeles from 100 Years Ago

Los Angeles in 1913 had a population of 465,000, and boasted of over 600 miles of graded and graveled streets, of its position as the commercial capital of southern California, and of its spacious homes. The following photographs are from Frank W. Staley’s Views of Los Angeles.

Weeping Willow, Echo Park
Weeping Willow, Echo Park
Residence and Park, Beverly Hills
Residence and Park, Beverly Hills
Pacific Ave and Park, House facing the sea, Long Beach
Pacific Ave and Park, Long Beach
Hollywood Residences
Hollywood Residences
Bathing Scene and Amusement Pier, Venice
Bathing Scene and Amusement Pier, Venice
Boulevard, Hollywood
Boulevard, Hollywood
Broadway, north from 8th Street
Broadway, north from 8th Street

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3 replies on “Views of Los Angeles from 100 Years Ago”
  1. says: hels

    We absolutely HAVE to see the 1913 photos, to be able to see what the city lost (as well as gained). Look at those lovely electric trams gliding around, providing excellent public transport. Why oh why were they pulled out?

    There must have been something magical, green, hopeful and peaceful about 1913 in many places. When I wrote “Glorious Days: Australia 1913” L.A wasn’t mentioned.. but it very easily could have been.

    Thanks for the link
    Hels
    http://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/glorious-days-australia-1913-vida.html

    1. says: trolleyfan

      “Look at those lovely electric trams gliding around, providing excellent public transport. Why oh why were they pulled out?”

      Mostly? Because they hadn’t made any actual money since, well, since those pictures were taken. And they were old and worn out (see: “Hadn’t made any money” for reason), and any time you wanted to change a route it was a major construction project rather than just drawing a new line on your schedule map. And…

      …you get the idea. I *love* the P.E. and LAry and all the other trolleys that used to go around L.A. (heck, look at my name!) – I think they’re really cool. But on the whole, they lost out to better, cheaper, faster systems – buses and cars – and essentially went bankrupt. And even when the last lines were owned by the MTA, they saw that buses did the job cheaper too.

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