Motion Pictures Clips of the week: L.A. County in the late 40s and early 50s...

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Clips of the week: L.A. County in the late 40s and early 50s...

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Hello,

This photo in the 1950s is probably taken from Alameda Street near the Union Station. It is far enough away to see the famous Los Angeles City Hall Tower building and Federal Courthouse Building on the adjacent block.

The early section that shows early 40s cars and streets is relatively unrecognizable. But in the back of one of the roads, is what looks like a drive-in restaurant. So, it may have been on Wilshire Blvd. heading west toward the “Miracle Mile” district.

We were well versed in driving on Alameda Street as it was the big street that ran from the harbor area in Long Beach/Wilmington, going past the Lion’s Dragstrip entrance (in 1955) at 223rd street and continues on through several cities to lead to the Union Station (since 1939)and beyond. What is beyond a block away? Why the famous Phillipe’s French dipped sandwich restaurant that has been around since 1951.

So, the significance of Alameda Street that runs by the city hall and union station is without a doubt, one of the busiest streets around.


Jnaki

Our dad used to drive up Alameda Street right after he drove by the exit of the Lion’s Dragstrip on Willow Street in our Westside of Long Beach neighborhood. Then on Alameda, it is a straight shot to Los Angeles downtown area while driving by the Union Station building complex for all train traffic in So Cal.

Our mom did not drive, so when we went to Los Angeles, we had to take the red car train trolley up the tracks similar to alameda street north through Compton, south central, crenshaw area and into the downtown area of Los Angeles close to the city hall, by few blocks. Today , the blue line still makes the daily trip from Long Beach to Los Angeles on the same tracks as back in the 50s. The red train car trolley in Long Beach started on Ocean Blvd right in front of the Pike Amusement Park.

For us little kids, riding the red trolley was a fun way to go to get into downtown Los Angeles. It was our only way to get there from our house in Long Beach. But, when our dad drove, first it was the 41 Buick fastback sedan from 46 to 49. Then the huge black 4 door Roadmaster from 1948 to 53. The times we went to Los Angeles during the 53 to 55 era was less due to my brother buying his first car in 1955. The 51 Oldsmobile sedan.
Rumbling North on Alameda Street, near our Westside of Long Beach house, after driving by Lions Dragstrip, all the way to Downtown Los Angeles. YRMV

 

Thank You J-B. Quite the change in how people dress and walk.
The cars, of course, make us jealous.