noirish Los Angeles

[Martin Pal]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

This is truly FANTASTIC information Martin_Pal. Thank you so much!

So oldstuff's neighbor must have managed (owned?) when it was "Keller's"....maybe.
___________________________

Wait, what did I just read? Grauman's was used as a location in 'The Apartment'. I thought all the locations were in NYC.

You're welcome, E_R.

As for "The Apartment" reference, he was referring to a shot of the marquee of "The Apartment" when it opened at the Chinese Theatre June 26th of 1960 and played for five weeks. (For some reason I had always thought it had opened in Nov./Dec.) He said you could see the Keller's lettering on the window of the store.

This is a link to that photo from the Chinese Theatre site, but as I mentioned in my post, they aren't enlargeable.

http://www.graumanschinese.org/1960.html#apartment

Most of the interiors of The Apartment were filmed at the Goldwyn Studios (now The Lot) in West Hollywood including on the backlot used as the street fronting the title role of "The Apartment." In Mad Men when Don Draper moves out into a small apartment they used the same backlot street for the exterior of the building he moved into.

The Apartment is one of my favorite films, movie-wise. Coincidentally, last night I watched an episode of..."The Untouchables with Bob Stack."

[oldstuff]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Close up / detail


oldstuff, I didn't realize Grauman's Gift Shop sold high end items like expensive jewelry.
I'm somewhat embarrassed to say, but I pictured a touristy gift shop selling tacky souvenirs and chotchkies.
Do you, or anyone else for that matter, remember in detail what the interior of the two gift shops looked like?

Oh, and one more thing...do you mind telling us the lady's name who ran the shop?

Her name was Cora Field(s). Her husband was Jesse Field. He died in 1941. she died in 1974. I think that during the time that they were running the shop (and I don't know which side the shop was on) they had a better quality of merchandise, although census records show them as selling "novelties" so there were probably chotchkies as well. I had found some passport records which show that he went on overseas buying trips to Europe.

I can't say for certain how expensive the jewelry was. Maybe it was knockoffs and Mrs. Field was just worried about someone breaking in at night and making a mess. All this happened before I was born. By the time I came along it was just neighborhood lore and she was living, pretty much as a recluse, with her diathermy machine.

[HossC]

Another ebay find. This photo of a shuttered Engine No 30 building is dated June 1983.


ebay

The old fire station at 1401 S Central Avenue (catty-corner from the Art Deco Coca-Cola bottling plant) has been mentioned a couple of times before on NLA, but Albany NY's pictures in post #9597 aren't showing for me. Like the 1925 image below, they all appear to have been taken from lafire.com.


www.lafire.com

I think that the truck in the middle is this one posted by e_r in 2015:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

The seller also has this LAFD photo.


http://www.ebay.com/sch/Historical-M...kw=los+angeles

The building dates from 1913, and closed in 1980. Here's what Albany NY found about it:

Originally Posted by Albany NY

Now the history. According to LAFire.com, "On September 4, 1917 the City Council directed the fire commission to remove the white firemen from Fire Station 30 at 1401 S. Central Ave. and replace them with the black firemen from Hose Co. No 4. Acting Chief Engineer O'Donnell resented the City Council's interference of internal fire department affairs and refused- only he had the authority to assign personnel. In addition, Engine 30 required an engineer and the city's Engineering Department had a policy of refusing to certify blacks. Blacks were only trained to operate chemical hose companies. In the mid-20's there was a sudden upsurge of men of color joining the fire service and a the need for a larger station intensified. The battle to make Engine 30 an all-black station took seven years. Engine 30 was a popular assignment and the white firemen threatened to strike. Racial tensions mounted. Never-the-less on April 16, 1924 the white firemen were removed and the black firemen from Hose 4 were transferred in. As more blacks joined the department Engine 30 became crowded. The department's wrecker (heavy rescue) was assigned to Fire Station 30, simply because there was insufficient riding room for all the firemen on the engines and truck. Another station was needed."

There's more information at laconservancy.org. C. King also added this:

Originally Posted by C. King

Their former station is now the African American Firefighters Museum at 1401 South Central. The museum opened their doors in 1997.

http://www.aaffmuseum.org/

As you can see, the museum is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. They've also rebuilt the wall on the left, partially rebuilt the tower on the right and added detail back to the parapet (although not to the original design).


GSV

[odinthor]

And so, down the rabbit hole we go, thanks to would-be murderer John Stiglitz (he was given a fifty/fifty chance of surviving his suicide attempt; which fifty did he end up on?). Stiglitz’s address, 11000 National Blvd., L.A., is of interest, though I am hitting dead ends to clarify the matter.

What structure was Stiglitz living in at the time of his residence there?

By scrambling hither and thither, with forays into yon, I am able to put together the following scraps: In 1875, that portion of Rancho La Ballona pertaining to Agustin Machado was partitioned. That same year—so the story goes—one Smith, living in a cottage on the rancho land at or about what is now 11000 National Boulevard planted a Moreton Bay Fig in honor of the birth of his first son. The tree remains, now enormous, on the grounds of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, which purchased its present 2.56 acre plot in November, 1949. The current building was dedicated 11/25/1962. The tree is Historic-Cultural Monument #19.


gsv

I am unable to make progress on three fronts:

—Further information about said Smith and his first-born son;

—Further information about the cottage in which he lived in 1875 (a rancho building of the Machado family?);

—Further information about the structure in which Stiglitz lived (was it the Machado?/Smith cottage?), including whether it was present up until demolished to make way for the church (or if it had already been demolished with another structure taking its place).

Since this matter concerns a tree, it obviously is important!

[tovangar2]

Originally Posted by odinthor

And so, down the rabbit hole we go, thanks to would-be murderer John Stiglitz

I would love to know more on this, first of all because I would have never guessed the photo was taken around here, where nothing much ever happens.

Also, I'm kinda liking the name "Hogbin" (and anything to do with trees).

[Noir_Noir]

Originally Posted by odinthor

And so, down the rabbit hole we go, thanks to would-be murderer John Stiglitz (he was given a fifty/fifty chance of surviving his suicide attempt; which fifty did he end up on?). Stiglitz’s address, 11000 National Blvd., L.A., is of interest, though I am hitting dead ends to clarify the matter.

What structure was Stiglitz living in at the time of his residence there?

By scrambling hither and thither, with forays into yon, I am able to put together the following scraps: In 1875, that portion of Rancho La Ballona pertaining to Agustin Machado was partitioned. That same year—so the story goes—one Smith, living in a cottage on the rancho land at or about what is now 11000 National Boulevard planted a Moreton Bay Fig in honor of the birth of his first son. The tree remains, now enormous, on the grounds of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, which purchased its present 2.56 acre plot in November, 1949. The current building was dedicated 11/25/1962. The tree is Historic-Cultural Monument #19.


gsv

I am unable to make progress on three fronts:

—Further information about said Smith and his first-born son;

—Further information about the cottage in which he lived in 1875 (a rancho building of the Machado family?);

—Further information about the structure in which Stiglitz lived (was it the Machado?/Smith cottage?), including whether it was present up until demolished to make way for the church (or if it had already been demolished with another structure taking its place).

Since this matter concerns a tree, it obviously is important!

Here's two aerials of the St. John’s Presbyterian Church site with the present day enormous fig tree marked. In the first from 1928 you can see the main building. By 1941 it's all but concealed beneath the tree.



http://mil.library.ucsb.edu Flight C_272, Frame 39 - 1928



http://mil.library.ucsb.edu Flight C_7255, Frame 24 - 1941

[ethereal_reality]

Moreton Bay Fig planted in 1875, 11000 National Boulevard


GSV

This is truly one of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen.

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by odinthor

Stiglitz's dog, Peter the Great, was advertised as "the miracle dog of the movies".


letterboxd






amazonbooks

I'm surprised Stiglitz didn't attempt to knock off Rin Tin Tin.




Thanks for all your sleuthing odinthor!

__

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by oldstuff

Cora was living, pretty much as a recluse, with her diathermy machine.

and messing up your television reception.


giphy
______________



I hope Cora was careful. This says you could cook a steak in 30 seconds with one of those diathermy thingys!


gabi jones technology future

[ethereal_reality]

...and currently on Ebay.


EBAY

" ROSELLE APTS. 740 HARTFORD AVE. LOS ANGELES, CAL. FEB. 23, 1920 MR. BROWN PROPRIETOR "

[ethereal_reality]

Did anyone notice the awnings that were added to the gift shop in CBD's photo?

Here's his pic a bit larger.

Originally Posted by CityBoyDoug

Shame to cover up that beautiful wrought iron* bay window...but I imagine it got pretty hot in there, especially since the shops face south.

*I'm guessing about the wrought iron. Maybe it was some other material (but it looked like metal to me)

[MartinTurnbull]

I don't recall seeing this photo (or anything like it) among these hallowed pages.

The first Brown Derby restaurant at its original site at 3427 Wilshire Boulevard, circa 1935. I love how the Auburn tower sign is juuuuust out of sight.


(I assume it's okay to post Alamy-protected photos in a forum like this. Or should I take it down?

[ethereal_reality]

Four 1980s slides, Los Angeles Planning Department.

I thought it might be fun to try and find some of these houses (and a 'mystery' playing field)


#1


EBAY







#2


EBAY









#3


EBAY









#4


EBAY



KEY

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Hey Hoss, thanks for the aerials of the Llewellyn Iron Works in Torrance. (& for that terrific map of Torrance) I appreciate it.

[HossC]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

...and currently on Ebay.


EBAY

" ROSELLE APTS. 740 HARTFORD AVE. LOS ANGELES, CAL. FEB. 23, 1920 MR. BROWN PROPRIETOR "

The old Roselle Apartments building is still standing at 740 Hartford Avenue, although it's seen better days. It actually looked worse a year earlier, and I can't see a demo permit, so hopefully it's being restored.


GSV

Here it is looking nicer in 2009.


GSV

As far as I can see from the building permits, 740 Hartford was moved from 1242 W 7th Street in mid 1913, and 712 Hartford was moved to 738 Hartford at the same time. The owner of both was H C Wiley of 1246 W 7th Street. I found a Hency C Wiley at 1242 W 7th in the 1909 CD, and there's a Mrs H C Wiley there in 1913. The 1912 CD lists her as Nellie Wiley, widow of H C Wiley.

The apartments initially seem to have been called the Heath, but the Roselle name is in the CDs by 1918. The CDs of the 60s call it Hartford House.

In the second picture above, you can see that the lot to the right was empty. The old house to the right of that was already boarded up in 2009, but was not demolished until 2014. A modern apartment building now stands on those two lots.

[GaylordWilshire]

Originally Posted by MartinTurnbull

I don't recall seeing this photo (or anything like it) among these hallowed pages.

The first Brown Derby restaurant at its original site at 3427 Wilshire Boulevard, circa 1935. I love how the Auburn tower sign is juuuuust out of sight.


(I assume it's okay to post Alamy-protected photos in a forum like this. Or should I take it down?

More on the block here

[oldstuff]

Originally Posted by HossC

The old Roselle Apartments building is still standing at 740 Hartford Avenue, although it's seen better days. It actually looked worse a year earlier, and I can't see a demo permit, so hopefully it's being restored.


GSV

Here it is looking nicer in 2009.


GSV

As far as I can see from the building permits, 740 Hartford was moved from 1242 W 7th Street in mid 1913, and 712 Hartford was moved to 738 Hartford at the same time. The owner of both was H C Wiley of 1246 W 7th Street. I found a Hency C Wiley at 1242 W 7th in the 1909 CD, and there's a Mrs H C Wiley there in 1913. The 1912 CD lists her as Nellie Wiley, widow of H C Wiley.

The apartments initially seem to have been called the Heath, but the Roselle name is in the CDs by 1918. The CDs of the 60s call it Hartford House.

In the second picture above, you can see that the lot to the right was empty. The old house to the right of that was already boarded up in 2009, but was not demolished until 2014. A modern apartment building now stands on those two lots.

I did find a minimal amount of info on Mr. Brown: William Brown comes up in the 1920 census at the 740 Hartford Avenue address. He was born in Texas in 1859. He was divorced. He is listed as a Cigar, which presumably means he sells them. He is also listed as renting the property, along with 24 other people who are listed as residing at that address. It must have been very crowded. Maybe he ran the place for other owners in addition to selling cigars.

[odinthor]

Originally Posted by Noir_Noir

Here's two aerials of the St. John’s Presbyterian Church site with the present day enormous fig tree marked. In the first from 1928 you can see the main building. By 1941 it's all but concealed beneath the tree.



http://mil.library.ucsb.edu Flight C_272, Frame 39 - 1928



http://mil.library.ucsb.edu Flight C_7255, Frame 24 - 1941

Many thanks, N_N! It looks as if Mr. Stiglitz had a lot of welcome room in which to train his animals. I wonder what's up with that somewhat meandering dirtway around two sides of the lot's perimeter...? Between 1928 and 1941 it developed from slightly traceable to looking like a major thoroughfare.

[Flyingwedge]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Four 1980s slides, Los Angeles Planning Department.

I thought it might be fun to try and find some of these houses (and a 'mystery' playing field)


#3


EBAY

No. 3 looks like a NE-facing view of the Boyle Heights Sports Center at E. 7th and S. Mott Streets. Up on the hill above the
yellow dot is 954-56 S. Mott, which can be seen in e_r's pic near the upper right corner, to the left of and partially shaded
by the large trees:



Google

[odinthor]

I was hoping that the impressive palm tree in e_r's pic


detail from e_r's post

had endured.

It seems to have disappeared and its stately presence in the neighborhood transferred to


gsv

O tempora! O mores!

[HossC]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

#1


EBAY

#2


EBAY

After seeing FW's post, I moved my search area slightly, and realized that the blurry tower in the distance (picture #1) wasn't the USC Medical Center but actually the Sears building. That makes the house with the fancy garage doors 1179 Stone Street. The pink house next door is also relatively unchanged (other than the color).


Google Maps

I'm sure that picture #4 was taken nearby, but haven't found the location yet.