noirish Los Angeles

[fhammon]

Yessir. The actual story should be a very rich subject for NLA but unfortunately it's poor in imagery (outside of cheesecake) so I doubt that more than a couple of people, you, me, ER and maybe two others will even notice that we're talking about it.
The known story has yet to be posted.
Add the cheesecake factor (as is allowable) plus the known story and it might get some legs.

I'm still blown away by ProphetM's swiftness, dexterity and discreetness in zeroing in on the loaction. In combination those are rare qualities indeed.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...ostcount=16198

Originally Posted by Krell58

I found a bunch of interesting articles on the history of the pool, the house made of old movie sets, and the owners of the property over the years.

[GaylordWilshire]

"The known story has yet to be posted."

I'm not sure what else is to be told--the address isn't hard to find--McDermott built the house out of old movie sets--it became the scene of wild parties--Harold Lloyd and others got off by photographing doughy women around the pool (as above)--the place was demolished in 1962.


There is certainly plenty of information on the internet:

http://kbco.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/spiderpool-i/

http://redlemonade.blogspot.com/2011...wn-beside.html

http://burlyqnell.tumblr.com/post/33...e-of-burlesque

http://burleskateer.tumblr.com/post/...grapher-harold


Pics Burlesk: As You Like It; Kathleen, Kage and the Company

[Those Who Squirm!]

Those of you familiar with Palms will know this building at the corner of Motor and National Place.


(Own work)

It surprises us at first to learn that this is one of the oldest business buildings in Palms; according to County records it goes back to 1915. The plastic signage belies its history by giving the place a decidedly bland post-WWII air.

From the side the appearance is more typical of when the building was constructed.


(From Google Earth)

And here's the strange part. Notice how what appear to be loading doors, originally intended for trucks or boxcars, are flush against the sidewalk, which seems to make them pretty much useless as such. At the same time, in the second picture there's obviously a slight rise in the level of the street and sidewalk, and as it happens if you keep going along National Place the level soon descends again. The placement of the window seems wrong as well; it's too low. Notice also how the air duct near the window has a right-angle turn near the sidewalk.

Is it possible that the level of the street was raised after the building was built? Before there was a street, is it possible that there was a rail siding between here and the Air Line?

[GaylordWilshire]

To tell you the truth, nothing really seems unusual about this building, including the window heights. That's a downspout next to the window, which appears to angle to go into a drain.


Here's a picture from the Times:

LAT

[GaylordWilshire]

Speaking of Motor Avenue... I noticed this great doctored shot:

http://mstecker.com/pages/irgallery_fp.htm

[MrPoe]

I've been trying with little success to look up the history of "La Casa Del Mexicano" (which was shown on page 333 of this thread) There indeed is a plaque labeling it the "Euclid Heights Methodist Church" built in 1904. However, I've come across a photograph from at least 1904, labeled the "Euclid Heights Methodist Church" (not sure if I have permission to post that picture yet.) That building is definitely not the current dome-shaped Casa Del Mexicano.

What I'm looking for is construction photos of the domed building being built. Can anyone help?

I also understand that the church (or lot it stood on) became a Jewish
Synagogue between 1914 and 1930. Further research states that the
Mexican Consulate was granted the lot in 1937.

Can you shed some light on this? If "La Casa Del Mexicano" isn't the
original structure, then what happened to the church? And are there any pictures of the building now known as "La Casa Del Mexicano" being built?

[Lwize]

Originally Posted by Those Who Squirm

(From Google Earth)

Is it possible that the level of the street was raised after the building was built? Before there was a street, is it possible that there was a rail siding between here and the Air Line?

The old rail siding is across the street, parallel to the Air Line. The spur is still visible behind the public storage place down the street on National, which was at one time a Tootsie Roll factory.

Anyone have pictures of Tootsie Roll on National in Palms?

[ethereal_reality]

I just learned that water cascaded down the spider pool web (supposedly, the old pipes are still there).

-with that in mind, I bet they filmed stag movies here to capture this dramatic falling water effect.

http://laist.com/2008/04/19/every_city_has.php

It would be a hoot to dig up some old 8 m.m. movies! (I'll check the bottom of my dad's closet )
_________________

Some more interesting tidbits.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!to...nt/jyu_7r2lr7c

What to make of this comment about a water tower?



from Picture-Play Magazine (1927)

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!to...nt/jyu_7r2lr7c




below: comment by 'Rowan' at https://groups.google.com/forum/#!to...nt/jyu_7r2lr7c


(his photos didn't show up in his post)




one more from Rowan at https://groups.google.com/forum/#!to...nt/jyu_7r2lr7c


Since there seems to be a plethora of cheesecake photographs taken at the spider pool site,
I tried to locate some beefcake photographs as well. I didn't have any luck.
___

[rbpjr]

Originally Posted by GaylordWilshire

Speaking of Motor Avenue... I noticed this great doctored shot:

http://mstecker.com/pages/irgallery_fp.htm

It's been awhile since I used filters with my camera but just guessing that this was taken with a deep red filter...

[Tetsu]

Originally Posted by Chuckaluck

Colorado Blvd and Raymond Street - Late 1890s.

http://cdm15123.contentdm.oclc.org/u...XT=&DMROTATE=0

The Kinney Kendall Building, built 1896, the only existing commercial building designed by Greene & Greene (there weren't many to begin with). They had their offices in this building for a time. All of the ornamentation was stripped away from the building when Colorado Boulevard was widened in 1929 but the building survives. Here's a photo from 1984. Even though the photo is almost 30 years old, it still pretty much looks like this today:

Living Vicuriously

Thankfully, it was purchased by new owners a few years ago who have been stripping away the 1950's-1960's storefronts to reveal some of the original (that is to say, 1929 vintage) detail underneath. They said they have plans to renovate the whole building, inside and out. Here's a Google street view showing their work in progress:

Google street view

As a small footnote, the building near the center of the photo below still exists as well. It stands at the corner of Raymond & Union and can be barely seen in the Google street view above, just poking out from beyond the white building to the north of the Kinney Kendall.

http://catalog.library.ca.gov/exlibr...BFMTM86PEM.jpg

[Tetsu]

Originally Posted by Chuckaluck

Difficulty viewing this image? Go here http://cdm15123.contentdm.oclc.org/c...2/id/214/rec/8

Looks like 48-52 S. Raymond still stands as well. It's just been Art Deco-ized:



I love Art Deco, but this definitely isn't the best expression of the style. Wish they would've left the original building intact.

[ethereal_reality]

Thanks Tetsu! I appreciate your before and after (as well as the history) of the Kinney Kendell Building.
To be candid, I didn't realize Greene & Greene ever designed a commercial building. duh!

[Tetsu]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Thanks Tetsu! I appreciate your before and after (as well as the history) of the Kinney Kendell Building.
To be candid, I didn't realize Greene & Greene ever designed a commercial building. duh!

Sure thing! There's a great book on the works of Greene & Greene by Randall Makinson (who sadly just passed recently, RIP) called "Greene & Greene: Architecture As A Fine Art." Really comprehensive read about their work.

[Tetsu]

Not sure if this photo has ever been posted here, but if it has it may be worth revisiting. The Rochester House at 1012 W. Temple Street - in color (photo dated 1962)! One of my favorite LA Victorians - I'm salivating right now!

Huntington Digital Library

Maybe one of you guys who are handy with Photoshop would be willing to do some color correction on this photo? Would be greatly appreciated!

[westcork]

One of my favorites buildings... It suffered the same fate as the Castle and Saltbox

The Rochester Apartments, a converted older residence behind storefronts, in 1970, located on West Temple Street in the 1000 block.


LAPL

Exterior view of the Rochester Apartments at 1012 West Temple Street circa 1890. The Dorn and Phillips families are on the porch.

LAPL


LAPL


LAPL


LAPL



HDL

[Tetsu]

Originally Posted by westcork

One of my favorites buildings... It suffered the same fate as the Castle and Saltbox


LAPL

westcork, we must have similar architectural tastes. I remember your recent post about the Culver House in Monrovia too.

One of my favorite things about Noirish Los Angeles is that I've been able to learn the location and context of some of my now-vanished favorite buildings in LA. It blew my mind to see the above-quoted photo earlier in this thread, to know that the Rochester was right next to the Harbor Freeway! Since then I always look for it when I see aerials of the north Downtown area.

[knites]

Hello all. Does anyone have any information on the Hodel Residence and Tea House Historic-Cultural Monument? It's in the Hermon neighborhood of Los Angeles on Monterey Road - right on the South Pasadena border. I think it was built around 1922 by a famous Russian architect? Thanks in advance.

[BifRayRock]

Originally Posted by mdiederi

Pasadena Cycleway (a freeway for bicycles) in 1900. Made mostly of wood, the elevated cycleway was designed to run from the Hotel Green in Pasadena to the Plaza in Los Angeles, and was an attempt to speed up transportation and accommodate the booming bicycle craze at the time. In some areas the cycleway was planned to be 50 feet above the ground. The toll was going to be 10 cents for a one-way trip or 15 cents for a two-way ticket, or cyclist could take one of the trains back up the hill. The sudden popularity of automobiles quickly made the cycleway obsolete and the project was abandoned after only one and a half miles of the intended nine mile track was completed.


looking south, ca.1900.
Pasadena Museum of History


Pasadena Museum of History



Horace Dobbins, creator of the California Cycleway in 1900 showing off what would be the Cycleway's downfall, an automobile. Pasadena Museum of History
http://highlandpark.wordpress.com/20...rnia-cycleway/

Thought the California- Horace Dobbins - Cycleway coverage was exhausted. Maybe not.


1900 - Glenarm Curve (Bicyclists, watch your speed!)


http://collection.pasadenadigitalhis...8/id/81/rec/46






1899 - Promoter Horace Dobbins is said to be visible here. In dark suit? Built using the most modern construction equipment available. Dobbins was probably unconcerned about his structure's elasticity, as he was still 5-6 years ahead of a famous 1906 event in San Francisco.
http://collection.pasadenadigitalhis...8/id/82/rec/47





1900 - Hotel Green. Get that ice tea and lemonade ready!
http://collection.pasadenadigitalhis...8/id/84/rec/49



http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slides...4410_large.jpg







1904/05 - The tension is so high, the building is leaning! (End and/or beginning of the line?) If the given date is correct, this structure may have been usable for quite some time. Curious if anything remains. Probably not since most of the structure was timber, and could have been readily recycled.

http://collection.pasadenadigitalhis...8/id/85/rec/50






The prototype?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/...873d295ce2.jpg

" This is how the cycleway looked from 35 East Calif. st. in 1904 from Mr. Amandus Juers' and Mrs. Hattie Juers' home -- Mrs. Juers still lives there and still subscribes to your paper". Actual address of photograph is 44 East California St. according to the Pasadena City directory listing for Amandus Juers for 1904. Mre. Juers later moved to the other side of the street, possibly leading to confusion on the part of the notetaker.

http://collection.pasadenadigitalhis...8/id/87/rec/52



The Elevated Cycleway was a marvel to be sure. But its popularity had to have been "mixed" given its close proximity to various residences. Amandus Juers' does not appear to be emoting "bliss."

(One hopes the bicyclists were responsible with their empty water bottles and energy bar wrappers.)





Wooden structures at 35 or 44 East California Street appear to have been replaced by bricked commercial affairs. However, a few vestiges may still exist. Structures behind 78 East California Street or the 600 Raymond Block look capable of having witnessed an elevated cycleway.

[BifRayRock]

Sigalert Pasadena?

Heavy traffic on the Colorado, approaching the Carlton Hotel. Bicyclists are advised to use caution, follow the rules of the road, avoid the vapors and leave early, if they intend to reach the Spider pool before nightfall



1900 - Parade of women bicyclists. The available detail is extraordinary. Attire is appropriate, and well insulated. BYOSS! (Bring your own smelling salts.)
http://collection.pasadenadigitalhis.../id/241/rec/59









Hide Toto?










Evidently, Western Union was not the only telegraph business in town. Only thing missing is a shooting gallery! (For those who can view this image, above the restaurant sign seems to be another sign advertising "GAMES." Wonder exactly what type of amusements were offered, aside from cards and billiards.

For those who cannot view this, please go to link. http://collection.pasadenadigitalhis.../id/241/rec/59 )

[ethereal_reality]

I found this photograph earlier tonight on ebay.

The Cliff Cafe on Point Fermin, San Pedro CA (Los Angeles Harbor) circa 1917

ebay
I am surprised by the various pathways and stairs leading down to the ocean.



-close-up view of the cafe

ebay



-is this the Cliff Cafe? (the stairway is visible in yellow)




various walkways leading down to the beach.

__




Point Fermin Cafe in the 1930s or 40s. Was this built on the site of the earlier cafe?

ebay


The Point Fermin Cafe looking south.



Today there are no death defying stairways leading down to the ocean. The 1930s era cafe is on the right.

google earth
__