Hall (Theodore) Photographs of Bunker Hill, Los Angeles and Environs

Photobooks Series 1 1939-1962

Physical Description: 1.17 Linear Feet(3 volumes in 1 box)

Scope and Contents

A series of three photobooks titled "Bunker Hill, Los Angeles, California: The Passing of an Era," Books 1-3, by Theodore Seymour Hall, A.P.S.A. (Associate, Photographic Society of America). Each album contains 61 black-and-white photographs, 11 x 14 inches, and an index of captions.

Processing Information

Image titles and negative numbers were transcribed from Hall's indexes; corresponding negatives may be found in Series 3, though some negatives are missing. Additional information in the Scope and Content notes is from Nathan Marsak, author of "Bunker Hill Los Angeles: Essence of Sunshine and Noir" (Angel City Press, 2020).

Box 1

Book 1 - Bunker Hill, Los Angeles, California: The Passing of an Era 1939-1962

Scope and Contents

Begins with foreword written by Hall, August 1962, explaining his interest in photographing Bunker Hill.

Front cover

Foreword

Part of area from City Hall tower in 1940 with cheap camera Book 1, pg. 3 / Neg. 2349

Scope and Contents

Looking west on Court Street across the top of the Hall of Records building. Top of Court Flight.

From same location in 1960 Book 1, pg. 4 / Neg. 13194

Scope and Contents

The Los Angeles County Courthouse at left, recently completed; opened January 5, 1959. The Los Angeles County Hall of Administration, right, is nearing completion.

Old residence, N/W cor. 4th & Hope Street Book 1, pg. 5 / Neg. 4750

Scope and Contents

The Edward T. Hildreth residence (architect: Joseph Cather Newsom, 1889). It spent most of its existence as a boarding house, but was restored in the early 1950s by the Haufe family. It was taken by eminent domain for a highway project, the Fourth Street Cut, and demolished in 1954.

Same, side view showing decorated outside chimney Book 1, pg. 6 / Neg. 5955

Melrose Hotel, 120 S. Grand Avenue, 1957 Book 1, pg. 7 / Neg. 10157

Scope and Contents

Architect: T. J. McCarthy, 1902. Demolished in 1957.

Same, from another angle Book 1, pg. 8 / Neg. 4610

Melrose entrance, shortly before wrecking in 1957 Book 1, pg. 9 / Neg. 9897

Melrose Annex, 130 S. Grand Avenue, 1939 Book 1, pg. 10 / Neg. 14093

Scope and Contents

This was the original Melrose, which became known as the Annex. Designed by Joseph Cather Newsom for Marc W. Connor and built in 1889. The top of the cupola was removed after the parapet ordinance of 1949.

Some detail of same, 1957 Book 1, pg. 11 / Neg. 10348

Scope and Contents

Note the removal of the top of the cupola, and the initials "MWC" for Marc W. Connor carved above the door.

More detail Book 1, pg. 12 / Neg. 10327

Entrance detail Book 1, pg. 13 / Neg. 10138

Door detail Book 1, pg. 14 / Neg. 10156

Rear of Melrose and 130 S. Grand Avenue from Olive Street Book 1, pg. 15 / Neg. 10088

Scope and Contents

From left to right, the rear of the Richelieu, 142 South Grand; the Melrose Annex at 130 South Grand, and the Melrose at 120 South Grand, shot from Olive Street looking west.

Rear detail of 130 S. Grand Avenue Book 1, pg. 16 / Neg. 10088

142 S. Grand Avenue, 1957 Book 1, pg. 17 / Neg. 9992

Scope and Contents

Robert Larkins built this house in 1888 at 142 South Grand as his residence and to house boarders. It was demolished in 1957. Its architects are unknown but may be Bradbeer and Ferris.

Entrance detail of same Book 1, pg. 18 / Neg. 10122

142 S. Grand Avenue, being wrecked, 1957 Book 1, pg. 19 / Neg. 10210

Detail, front wall plaque on 142 S. Grand Avenue Book 1, pg. 20 / Neg. 10236

Angels Flight on S. Hill Street, 1940 with cheap camera Book 1, pg. 21 / Neg. 2284

Scope and Contents

Looking west from Third and Hill.

Close up of Angels Flight car, Hill Street Book 1, pg. 22 / Neg. 10977

Showing grade angle of Angels Flight car Book 1, pg. 23 / Neg. 10380

Inside Angels Flight car, en route Book 1, pg. 24 / Neg. 10989

Angels Flight car crossing Clay Street Book 1, pg. 25 / Neg. 9391

Commemorative plaque Book 1, pg. 26 / Neg. 10024

Scope and Contents

Presented by Native Daughters of the Golden West, November 1952. Contact prints Volume 5 contains several images of this event.

Olive Street end of Angels Flight, and control house Book 1, pg. 27 / Neg. 8200

(Angels Flight details) Book 1, pg. 28 / Neg. 14090

Scope and Contents

Four small photographs of Angels Flight on one page. The other negative numbers are: 14060, 13967, 13939.

West end of 2nd Street tunnel (i.e. Third Street tunnel) Book 1, pg. 29 / Neg. 6231

Scope and Contents

Hall made a mistake here; this is the west end of the Third Street tunnel. The white structure above with two bay windows is 632 West Third. Below is the Crown Hotel at 702 West Third, the Havlin Hotel at 706 (with "Café Bobs"), and the moving/storage company was at 710 West Third. At left, Cinnabar Street runs from Third, between Hope and Flower, north to Second Street.

Steps from 2nd Street (i.e. Third St.) to Hope Street at west end of tunnel Book 1, pg. 30 / Neg. 14084

Scope and Contents

Actually, steps from Third Street, at Hope, running from "Lower Hope" to "Upper Hope" next to the Crown Hotel at 702 West Third.

South on Grand Avenue from 3rd Street Book 1, pg. 31 / Neg. 12634

Scope and Contents

At right, the southwest corner of Third and Grand: 301, 305, and 311 South Grand. The Alta Cresta, Kenneth, and Capitol hotels are at 319, 325, and 333. The Fourth and Grand Service Garage is seen near the end of the block. The image dates from 1959; the construction on Grand is the erection of the 13-story addition (architect: Welton Becket) to the Standard Federal Bank at Wilshire.

South on Grand Avenue from 2nd Street, 1959 Book 1, pg. 32 / Neg. 12920

Scope and Contents

The Dome Hotel (201 S. Grand, 1902) at right. Left, the Frontenac (212 S. Grand, 1905).

Detail of building (the DOME), S/W corner of 2nd, and Grand Avenue, 1957 Book 1, pg. 33 / Neg. 10232

Scope and Contents

The Moorish/Mission-style Minnewaska, renamed "the Dome," 201 South Grand, built by James Shields and daughter Maud, in 1902. Burned in 1964, it was demolished soon after.

Building on N/W cor. of Grand Avenue and West 3rd Street Book 1, pg. 34 / Neg. 11852

Scope and Contents

Originally named the Nugent when built by Arthur Nugent McBurney in August 1903, it was renamed the New Grand in 1940.

North side of 3rd Street from Grand to Olive Book 1, pg. 35 / Neg. 14114

Scope and Contents

The Lovejoy Apartments at 529 West Third (architect: Charles O. Ellis, 1903).

West 3rd Street from Grand to Olive, night view Book 1, pg. 36 / Neg. 9997

Scope and Contents

The southeast corner of Third and Grand. Angels Flight Drugs (architect: Frederick R. Dorn, 1910). The upper terminus of Angels Flight is at the end of the block down Third. The domed structure above Angels Flight is the Million Dollar Theater at Third and Broadway.

South side of 3rd Street, Grand to Olive, the Hill's Business Center, 1957 Book 1, pg. 37 / Neg. 10313

Street scene on West 3rd Street Book 1, pg. 38 / Neg. 10165

Scope and Contents

The Budget Basket at 528 West Third St, attached to the west side of Angels Flight Pharmacy.

"RED," well known newspaper vendor on West 3rd near Grand Book 1, pg. 39 / Neg. 11577

Scope and Contents

Red, the one-armed newspaper vendor and two men outside 530 West Third St.

In "Budget Basket" grocery on West 3rd, near Grand Book 1, pg. 40 / Neg. 14140

Manhattan Café on West 3rd Street Book 1, pg. 41 / Neg. 12960

Scope and Contents

Located at 520 West 3rd, in an apartment house.

Angels Flight Café and apartment houses on Olive Street near 3rd Book 1, pg. 42 / Neg. 12693

Scope and Contents

The Café was given a streamline remodel in 1936. Behind the Café, the La Loma at 251 S. Olive (architect: Lewis A. Smith, 1923) and the Cumberland (architect: Marsh & Russell, 1904).

Astoria Apartments on Olive near West 3rd Book 1, pg. 43 / Neg. 10229

Scope and Contents

The Astoria at 248 S. Olive (architect: Arthur L. Haley, 1904). Its neighbor, the Hill Crest, 258 S. Olive, was built in 1905 by Col. Eddy of Angels Flight fame, and designed by Henry Cogswell. It was demolished in September 1961.

Detail at West 3rd and Olive streets — 1962 Book 1, pg. 44 / Neg. 14089

Scope and Contents

The Angels Flight Café opened in 1933. The neon sign likely dates to the 1936 remodel. In the distance can be seen the recently-constructed Court House. The Victorian structure to the left of the man is 238/236 South Olive.

Inside Cumberland Hotel Apartments, 243 S. Olive, 1952 Book 1, pg. 45 / Neg. 5654

Scope and Contents

Hall was living here in 1952 per voting registration records. The man pictured here is the manager, Benjamin Abowitz, born in Kovno in 1891. His wife Fannie née Shulman can be seen in the contact prints, Volume 1.

Inside Cumberland Hotel Apartments — now completely wrecked, 1962 Book 1, pg. 46 / Neg. 10172

Detail at 224 S. Olive — 1959 Book 1, pg. 47 / Neg. 12649

Scope and Contents

Built about 1894, also known as "The French Flats."

Hill Crest Hotel, 258 S. Olive Street, 1957 Book 1, pg. 48 / Neg. 10025

Scope and Contents

At the top of the stairs adjacent to Angels Flight.

Detail on S. side of Hill Crest Hotel Book 1, pg. 49 / Neg. 11893

Scope and Contents

Spelled "Hillcrest" in previous photographs; this sign reads "Hill-Crest."

Display on porch next to Hill Crest Hotel Book 1, pg. 50 / Neg. 11568

Scope and Contents

The Sunshine Apartments, built around 1904, at 413-423 West Third Street.

Entrance to 2nd Street tunnel at Hill Street — night shot Book 1, pg. 51 / Neg. 11036

Detail in 2nd Street tunnel—night shot Book 1, pg. 52 / Neg. 11043

Scope and Contents

The tunnel, lined with white glazed tile, started being built in 1916 and opened in 1924.

Detail of porch 239 S. Bunker Hill Avenue, showing "basket weave" railing Book 1, pg. 53 / Neg. 14033

Scope and Contents

The George H. Stewart House (Attributed to architect George F. Costerisan, 1887).

Detail of old house at 315 S. Bunker Hill Avenue, 1957 Book 1, pg. 54 / Neg.?

Scope and Contents

Built by William and Anna Foss in the mid to late 1880s. Noted mystic Max Heindel became a lodger at the Foss house and marries Augusta Foss in 1910, and thereafter 315 becomes commonly known as the Foss-Heindel house.

Group of children near partially wrecked house, S. Bunker Hill Avenue Book 1, pg. 55 / Neg. 10016

Through gate of old L.A. Police Station on West 1st Street, 1940 Book 1, pg. 56 / Neg. 2155

Scope and Contents

The demolition seen through the gate shows the removal of the Tajo Building (architect: George Herbert Wyman, 1896).

At corner of 1st and Olive streets, 1953 Book 1, pg. 57 / Neg. 6933

Scope and Contents

At right, the Hotel Gladden at 100 South Olive. Built as the Hotel Cecil in 1903 by Bernard Holmes.

From Apartment building on S. Olive Avenue showing, at right, original Hill on 1st Street Book 1, pg. 58 / Neg. 7903

Scope and Contents

Looking down Olive to the intersection at Second, shot from the Cumberland Hotel. At corner, the backside of the Claridge Hotel. The Mansard roof structure at Second and Olive is the Hotel Argyle (architect: Robert Brown Young, 1887). See also Photobook Volume 3, pages 38 and 39.

From the hill (as above note) at 1st, Olive and Hill streets, 1950 Book 1, pg. 59 / Neg. 4475

From same hill — night, 1953 Book 1, pg. 60 / Neg. 5953

General view of Bunker Hill area from a 5th Street bldg. at Grand, 1959 Book 1, pg. 61 / Neg. 12764

Scope and Contents

Shot from the Edison Building. The three prominent buildings, center, are the Casa Alta, 317 S. Olive, the Ems, 321 S. Olive, and La Casa de Don Leõn, 314 S. Olive.

General view from same location at same date as above Book 1, pg. 62 / Neg. 12763

Scope and Contents

Grand runs north at right; Bunker Hill Avenue runs north up center.

General view looking south and west from City Hall Tower, 1959 Book 1, pg. 63 / Neg. 12828

Scope and Contents

The Dome, center, at Second and Grand. Much of the Hill still extant south of Second Street but parking and empty lots to the north. The newly-completed County Court House at First and Hill at right.

From same location looking a little more south, same date Book 1, pg. 64 / Neg. 12829

Scope and Contents

Construction of the State Building underway at First and Broadway. Above it stands the Hotel Northern (1910), on Clay Street at Second.

INDEX

Box 1

Map of Bunker Hill Redevelopment Area Book 1 / Neg. 14094

Box 1

Book 2 - Bunker Hill, Los Angeles, California: The Passing of an Era 1941-1962

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 1

Index

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 2

Composition and Rhetoric Neg. 10225

Scope and Contents

Sign on door signed by Laura Gatta, the owner of 208 South Olive, a Victorian house turned into an apartment hotel, one story in front, three stories running down to Clay Street in the back. Demolished around 1959.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 3

Corner of 3rd Place and Bunker Hill Avenue Neg. 14078

Scope and Contents

343 S. Bunker Hill Avenue. 3rd Place was built to run north from Bunker Hill Avenue to Hope after the construction of the Fourth Street Cut.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 4

E/S Bunker Hill Avenue between 2nd & 3rd streets Neg. 10123

Scope and Contents

232 S. Bunker Hill Avenue. This home was built by Los Angeles pioneer Joseph F. Bont, carpenter and furniture dealer, who is listed at this address as early as 1883.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 5

325 Bunker Hill Avenue Neg. 13385

Scope and Contents

"The Castle," built in 1887 by developer Reuben M. Baker.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 6

E/S Bunker Hill Avenue Neg. 10126

Scope and Contents

Rose, the cat lady, tends to one of the Hill's many felines at 246 South Bunker Hill Avenue. This house and no. 244 were purchased by the CRA in May 1961, as part of the urban renewal plan.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 7

310 S. Bunker Hill Avenue, 1957 Neg. 12620

Scope and Contents

Built between 1894 and 1906.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 8

Residents of Bunker Hill Avenue, 1957 Neg. 10300

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 9

231-233 S. Grand Avenue Neg. 10092

Scope and Contents

This two-story duplex was one of the earlier structures on the Hill, built in the mid-1880s.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 10

Part of old door Neg. 10048

Scope and Contents

Close-up of 233 South Grand, demolished in 1962.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 11

256 S. Bunker Hill Avenue Neg. 13406

Scope and Contents

The Arthur Nugent McBurney home, 1887.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 12

S. Bunker Hill Avenue between 2nd & 3rd streets, 1951 Neg. 4740

Scope and Contents

Attorney and judge George M. Holton built the residence at 227 South Bunker Hill Avenue in 1882.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 13

A resident of Bunker Hill area Neg. 5996

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 14

S. Bunker Hill Avenue between 1st and 2nd streets Neg. 9883

Scope and Contents

This is likely looking toward the rear of 115 South Grand under demolition in the fall of 1957.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 15

Trash Cans Neg. 10031

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 16

S. side of Apartment House at 145 S. Bunker Hill Avenue Neg. 9858

Scope and Contents

Mansion at the northwest corner of Second Street and Bunker Hill Avenue built by a man named Berke in 1886. It became a rooming house known as "The Berke" soon after, run by the family. It was demolished in 1957.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 17

145 S. Bunker Hill Avenue Neg. 9846

Scope and Contents

Front of the Berke mansion.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 18

Residents of S. Bunker Hill Avenue Neg. 9993

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 19

221 S. Bunker Hill Avenue Neg. 4739

Scope and Contents

Built by Prussian carpenter Frederick Willhelm Sparr in 1883.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 20

302 S. Bunker Hill Avenue Neg. 12672

Scope and Contents

Home of the Human Engineering Laboratory, an aptitude testing and measurement service founded in 1922.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 21

219 S. Grand Avenue Neg. 9962

Scope and Contents

The Grand Crest apartments.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 22

750 W. 4th Street near Hope Street, 1949 Neg. 3227

Scope and Contents

Entrance to the Castle Tower Apartments.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 23

Side and Back of 750 W. 4th Street Neg. 6236

Scope and Contents

The Castle Tower Apartments. The structure behind is the Briggs apartments, also known as the Barbara Worth, at 407 South Hope.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 24

118 1/2 S. Olive Street. The Halls of Ivy, 1957 Neg. 10133

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 25

Residents of S. Bunker Hill area Neg. 6001

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 26

344 S. Grand Avenue Neg. 10954

Scope and Contents

Built by C. A. Judd in 1903, designed by Train and Williams. Known as "the Judd."

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 27

208 S. Olive Street, 1957 Neg. 9932

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 28

301 S. Bunker Hill Avenue Neg. 9857

Scope and Contents

Built prior to 1888.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 29

Restful benches W/S Bunker Hill Avenue at 3rd Street Neg. 9855

Scope and Contents

The benches of Third and Bunker Hill Avenue. A well-known spot, frequently used in movies.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 30

W/S Bunker Hill Avenue at 3rd Street Neg. 9886

Scope and Contents

The Alta Vista, 255 South Bunker Hill, developed by James M. and Maud Shields in 1903.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 31

238 S. Bunker Hill Neg. 10161

Scope and Contents

Built by Judge Julius Brousseau in 1883.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 32

More detail from new angle. Neg. 9971

Scope and Contents

Same house as page 31.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 33

Window in Apartment at 219 S. Grand Avenue, 1948 Neg. 3056

Scope and Contents

The Grand Crest Apartments.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 34

Looking west by south at 4th and Olive Neg. 12720

Scope and Contents

Former site of the Fremont Hotel at 401 South Olive, which has been removed in preparation for the Fourth Street Cut; what remains is the retaining wall below.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 35

N/S of 4th between Olive and Hill streets, 1959 Neg. 12721

Scope and Contents

Looking east down Fourth Street. The Hotel Clark/Center Garage (architect: Dodd & Richards, 1919) at left. At center, the Selma Hotel, built as the Antlers (architect: Robert Brown Young, 1902); the Black Building (architect: Edelman & Barnett, 1910) is at Hill.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 36

Corner of 4th and Clay streets just before being wrecked, 1962 Neg. 14169

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 37

Window of Barber College (with reflections), 349 S. Hill Street. Neg. 1428

Scope and Contents

American Barber College, located in the Pembroke Building.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 38

Inside Barber College Neg. 14177

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 39

337 1/4 S. Hill Street Neg. 14130

Scope and Contents

The Doran Building (architect: Austin and Brown, 1904).

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 40

W/S of Hill Street from 3rd Street South, 1962 Neg. 14173

Scope and Contents

The Ferguson Building (architect: George Herbert Wyman, 1910). Behind it, the Luckenbach (architect: Edelman & Barnett, 1910).

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 41

Spiral iron stairway back of hotel on Clay Street near 3rd Neg. 11194

Scope and Contents

Hotel Central, 310 South Clay.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 42

Cinderella Snack Shop on Hill Street opposite Grand Central Market Neg. 10332

Scope and Contents

At the base of the Luckenbach Building, this freestanding lunchstand was built in the fall of 1945.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 43

Cooper Do-Nut Shop, W/S of Hill Street between 4th & 5th Neg. 12814

Scope and Contents

441 South Hill. The double feature on the Town Theater marquee across the street dates this shot to 1959.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 44

Pool Room W/S of Hill between 3rd and 4th Neg. 12951

Scope and Contents

Pool hall in the Pembroke Hotel, 339 South Hill.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 45

From S. Hill Street opposite Grand Central Market Neg. 14109

Scope and Contents

Pioneer/Luckenbach building at 317 S. Hill, right.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 46

W/S of Hill Street between 3rd and 4th Neg. 14112

Scope and Contents

Left, Pembroke Building; at right, Doran Building.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 47

More South, same side of Hill Street Neg. 14113

Scope and Contents

Tall building at far left is the Black Building at Fourth and Hill. From there, left to right, the Roberts Block, 353 South Hill (architect: Robert Brown Young, 1904); the arch-windowed University Club, 349-51 South Hill (architect: John Parkinson, 1904); 345-47 South Hill (architect: Parkinson and Bergstrom, 1905); Pembroke Building; Doran Building.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 48

700 W. First Street, corner of Hope Neg. 11212

Scope and Contents

The Majestic Apartments (1904), designed by Millan Holmes. Later, the Rossmere and the Lima apartments (the sign over its door reads Lima Apts).

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 49

Playmates in Bunker Hill area Neg. 4592

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 50

Apartment window at 1st and Olive streets, 1957 Neg. 10134

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 51

George's Grocery at 1st and Bunker Hill streets, 1953 Neg. 9933

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 52

Angels Flight station on S. Olive, 1941 Neg. 2719

Scope and Contents

Upper terminus of Angels Flight, looking east on Third St.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 53

Stairway parallel to Angels Flight Neg. 11378

Scope and Contents

Stairway from Hill Street up to Olive.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 54

Same stairway from Olive Street, 1959 Neg. 12637

Scope and Contents

Looking down from Olive Street alongside the Hill Crest apartments at 256 South Olive.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 55

Overcast day view from Olive Street Neg. 8212

Scope and Contents

Looking down Third from the top of Angels Flight.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 56

Night view of Angels Flight cars (in motion), 1962 Neg. 14155

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 57

Watch your step Neg. 4116

Scope and Contents

People descending the Angels Flight steps.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 58

Surroundings of Angels Flight from Hill Street as of 1959 Neg. 9942

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 59

Tunnel entrance under Angels Flight Neg. 10333

Scope and Contents

The 1901 Third Street tunnel from Hill Street.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 60

In 2nd Street Tunnel looking west, at night Neg. 10022

Scope and Contents

Neon signs for the Hotel President, 925 West Second, and the Shamrock, 825 West Second, which was inside the Hotel Clift at Second and Figueroa.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 61

Weathered spokes Neg. 11350

Scope and Contents

601-611 West Sunset Blvd.; detail of the railings.

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 62

Detail of old residence on Sunset near Grand Avenue, 1957 Neg. 11352

Box 1, Volume 2, Page 63

Evacuation - 1st and Olive streets, 1957 Neg. 10150

Box 1

Book 3 - Bunker Hill, Los Angeles, California: The Passing of an Era 1950-1962

Cutting down hill between Bunker Hill, Second St., and Grand Ave., 1957 Book 3, pg. 1 / Neg. 12688

Scope and Contents

Looking toward the site being cleared for the Civic Center expansion.

South on Hill St., from former hill between Olive, First and Hill Sts., 1952 Book 3, pg. 2 / Neg. 5280

From same location showing old Central Police Station on 1st near Hill Street, 1952 Book 3, pg. 3 / Neg. 5636

Scope and Contents

Central Police Station, 318 West First St., built 1898, was demolished in 1956.

Touraine Apartments at 447 S. Hope Street Book 3, pg. 4 / Neg. 13372

Scope and Contents

The Touraine Apartments (architect: Arthur L. Haley, 1904), demolished in late 1963.

Back of Touraine Apartments, 448 S. Flower Book 3, pg. 5 / Neg. 10327

Scope and Contents

At right is the Sunkist Building; in the distance is the Edison headquarters at Fifth and Grand.

Alta Vista Apartments, 3rd and S. Bunker Hill Avenue Book 3, pg. 6 / Neg. 9945

Scope and Contents

255 South Bunker Hill Avenue (architect: James M. Shields, 1902). The large front porches were a 1914 addition.

A child of the Bunker Hill area Book 3, pg. 7 / Neg. 6330

125 - 127 1/2 S. Bunker Hill Avenue Book 3, pg. 8 / Neg. 9881

Scope and Contents

Duplex built about 1883; it was the home of George Ward Burton, writer and newspaper editor. One of the earliest extant structures on the Hill.

Part of same house Book 3, pg. 9 / Neg. 9882

Wrecking same house, 1957 Book 3, pg. 10 / Neg. 9982B

A resident of the Bunker Hill area Book 3, pg. 11 / Neg. 10148

Wrecking Sherwood Apartments at 431 S. Grand Avenue, next to Edison Bldg., 1957 Book 3, pg. 12 / Neg. 11304

Scope and Contents

Hall lived in the Sherwood (architect: Meyer & Holler, 1913) when he moved to Los Angeles, but relocated to the Cumberland in 1952. The adjacent Southern California Edison purchased and demolished the hotel for an employee parking lot, September 1957.

Entrance to Sherwood Book 3, pg. 13 / Neg. 10955

An apartment in the Sherwood Book 3, pg. 14 / Neg. 10957

Wrecking of Capitol Hotel, 300 block, W/S of S. Grand Avenue, 1962 Book 3, pg. 16 / Neg. 14101

Scope and Contents

Demolition of the Kenneth, 325 South Grand Ave (architect: William H. Mohr, 1905); still standing is the Stevens at 321 (architect: Frederick R. Dorn, 1904) which was demolished at the end of 1964.

General

Page 15 caption inadvertently skipped by Hall.

Colonial at 316 S. Grand Avenue, 1957 Book 3, pg. 17 / Neg. 10953

Scope and Contents

The Colonial Flats, 312-314 South Grand Ave. (architect: Frederick R. Dorn, 1902) contained four apartments, finished in yellow pine.

Corner of 3rd and Grand Avenue, 1957 Book 3, pg. 18 / Neg. 9895

Scope and Contents

The New Grand Hotel, 255-259 South Grand Avenue.

Looking east from Grand Avenue at 4th Street, 1953 Book 3, pg. 19 / Neg. 6408

Scope and Contents

Note the Mission-style Fremont Hotel (architect: John C. W. Austin, 1902) at the corner of Fourth and Olive.

Same from bridge on Grand Avenue, 1959 Book 3, pg. 20 / Neg. 12919

Scope and Contents

The Fremont Hotel has been removed for the widening of Fourth Street as part of the Fourth Street Cut project.

Parking lot between 4th, Grand Avenue and Hope St., 1959 Book 3, pg. 21 / Neg. 12918

Scope and Contents

Parking lot where the Zelda, Granada, and Sherwood apartment hotels once stood.

George's Market, 644 W. First Street, 1957 Book 3, pg. 22 / Neg. 9934

Scope and Contents

At the southeast corner of First and Hope streets.

107 S. Bunker Hill Avenue Book 3, pg. 23 / Neg. 10037

Tenement house, N. Bunker Hill Avenue, 1953 Book 3, pg. 24 / Neg. 6009

Alley near 1st and Olive, 1957 Book 3, pg. 25 / Neg. 10105

Scope and Contents

The "alley" is Olive Court.

Steps from Olive to Clay streets Book 3, pg. 26 / Neg. 10101

Scope and Contents

Looking up along the steps between the Hillcrest and Astoria apartment buildings.

Steps from Clay to Olive streets Book 3, pg. 27 / Neg. 11884

From West 3rd, on Olive looking South, 1957 Book 3, pg. 28 / Neg. 12693

Scope and Contents

Partial view of the Casa Alta at right, then from right, the Ems Apartment Hotel at 321 South Olive, the Olive Inn and the Central Garage on the corner of Fourth Street.

Looking south on Olive from near West 3rd, 1957 Book 3, pg. 29 / Neg. 10372

Scope and Contents

Left to right, 324, 326, 330 and 334 South Olive St. These four structures were built as two-unit flats by Marcellus Manley, an oil man from Ohio, in 1898. All demolished in 1963.

Corner of 1st and Olive, 1952 Book 3, pg. 30 / Neg. 5629

Scope and Contents

Pollinger's Market, corner of First and Olive, was demolished in 1953 for the County Courthouse.

Corner of 1st and Grand looking East, 1953 Book 3, pg. 31 / Neg. 6163

Scope and Contents

The block was demolished in 1953.

Looking East on 2nd Street, between Grand and Olive, 1953 Book 3, pg. 32 / Neg. 7102

Scope and Contents

The Koster House, on the north side of Second Street, 515 W Second. The mansard-roofed Argyle Hotel, right, sits at Second and Olive. Other lost structures include the Hall of Records, California State Building, and the gasometers at Commercial and Center streets.

La Loma Apartments, 251 S. Olive, 1962 Book 3, pg. 33 / Neg. 14106

Scope and Contents

Built 1923 by Lewis A. Smith; demolished in 1963.

Cumberland Hotel Apartments, 243 S. Olive, 1962 Book 3, pg. 34 / Neg. 14105

Scope and Contents

The Cumberland Hotel (architect: Marsh and Russell, 1904). This is where Hall moved in 1952. There are numerous shots of its interior in the contact sheet binders. Hall moved to the Engstrum Apartments at Fifth and Grand when the Cumberland was marked for razing.

Wrecking the Cumberland, 1962 Book 3, pg. 35 / Neg. 14120

Scope and Contents

The Blackstone, demolished in 1964, can be seen directly across the street.

221 South Olive, 1957 Book 3, pg. 36 / Neg. 10974

Scope and Contents

Herman Baer house (architect: John Cotter Pelton Jr., 1887). Demolished in 1964.

Close up Book 3, pg. 37 / Neg. 10974

From apartment at 243 S. Olive. Looking N/E, 1956 Book 3, pg. 38 / Neg. 8983

Scope and Contents

From Hall's apartment window. The two large structures, center, are the back of the Hotel Northern at Second and Clay, and the Fashion League building at Second and Hill Streets.

From same location, 1959 Book 3, pg. 39 / Neg. 12826

Scope and Contents

From the same spot three years later. Note that 208 South Olive has been demolished.

209 S. Olive, 1957 Book 3, pg. 40 / Neg. 10231

Scope and Contents

The May Hotel, built in 1902 as the Larkin.

On S. Olive between 1st and 2nd, 1957 Book 3, pg. 41 / Neg. 10153

125 S. Olive, 1957 Book 3, pg. 42 / Neg. 10107

Scope and Contents

The boarded-up entrance of "Olive Cottage."

From the hill (long razed) overlooking Olive at Court Street looking South and West, 1950 Book 3, pg. 43 / Neg. 4595

South Olive near 1st, 1957 Book 3, pg. 44 / Neg. 10223

Children of the Bunker Hill area, 1957 Book 3, pg. 45 / Neg. 11206

Cornice decoration, 1953 Book 3, pg. 46 / Neg. 5154

Scope and Contents

The Court Apartments, 202 North Hope Street at corner of Court street (architect: Theodore A. Eisen, 1906).

Looking West from Clay Street, 1957 Book 3, pg. 47 / Neg. 10145

Scope and Contents

The rear of 230-232 South Olive, one of the oldest structures on the Hill, dating to the mid-1880s. Demolished in 1961.

Back of apartment between Clay and Olive streets, 1957 Book 3, pg. 48 / Neg. 10104

A resident Book 3, pg. 49 / Neg. 12727

121 South Hill Street Book 3, pg. 50 / Neg. 10127

El Moro, 109 S. Hill Street, 1957 Book 3, pg. 51 / Neg. 6273

South side of 1st Street, between Hill and Olive streets, 1953 Book 3, pg. 52 / Neg. 9874

Same between Olive and Grand, 1957 Book 3, pg. 53 / Neg. 9876

512 West First Street, 1957 Book 3, pg. 54 / Neg. 9902

"Grand" Hotel on E/S of Grand Avenue between 4th and 5th streets, 1957 Book 3, pg. 55 / Neg. 9999

Scope and Contents

The Grand Avenue Hotel, 416 South Grand Ave., built 1904.

Wrecking the "Grand," space now occupied by a Pacific Telephone building, 1957 Book 3, pg. 56 / Neg. 13252

Looking South on Grand Avenue from the Court House, 1959 Book 3, pg. 57 / Neg. 12922

From the Court House looking down Olive Street, 1959 Book 3, pg. 58 / Neg. 12925

Fantastic construction of old building in area, 1957 Book 3, pg. 59 / Neg. 11199

Scope and Contents

Detail of 601-611 West Sunset, at the corner of Sunset and Hill Place.

Detail of same Book 3, pg. 60 / Neg. 11200

Box 1, Folder 1

Ephemera approximately 1939-1958

Scope and Contents

Miscellaneous printed and written items including notes, lists of negatives, envelopes with Hall's addresses, and photograph contest correspondence.

Contact prints (photographs) Series 2 approximately 1951-1961

Physical Description: 8.19 Linear Feet(7 volumes)

Scope and Contents

Contact prints made by Hall of photographs he took approximately 1951 to 1961. Each print has the negative number written on it by Hall. Subject matter varies; images of Bunker Hill are interspersed with photographs of Hall's friends and family, or places he visited. There are only occasional identifications.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically, by negative number.

Binder 1

Contact prints Binder 1 approximately 1951-1952

Scope and Contents

Photographic prints made from negatives 5018-5997 by Theodore Hall. Negative 5585 has a wall calendar showing the year as 1952. Los Angeles photographs include Bunker Hill, City Hall, Grand Central Market, Plaza Church, Victorian houses, camera club outings. Other locations: San Francisco Bay Area (where Hall's relatives lived); Santa Anita Park racetrack in Arcadia, California; Kellogg Park, West Pomona. Photographs of families, children playing, and other topics are interspersed throughout.

Binder 2

Contact prints Binder 2 approximately 1953

Scope and Contents

Photographic prints made from negatives 5998-7215 by Theodore Hall. Negatives 6172 and 6406 are both dated 1953. Subjects include: Bunker Hill, Biltmore Hotel, Grand Central Market, Angels Flight, Union Station, an ice skating rink, and a drugstore. Also includes parties, families, children, churches, cars, and offices.

Binder 3

Contact prints Binder 3 approximately 1954

Scope and Contents

Photographic prints made from negatives 7216-8591 by Theodore Hall. Negative 7291 is dated June 7, 1954. Subjects include: Bunker Hill, cars and freeways, Angels Flight, Union Station, Grand Central Market, Santa Anita Park racetrack. Also scenes of clearing land, cement work, and construction on Bunker Hill.

Binder 4

Contact prints Binder 4 approximately 1955-1956

Scope and Contents

Photographic prints made from negatives 8592-10006 by Theodore Hall. Negative 8906 dated 1955; negative 9061 dated 1956. Subjects include: Bunker Hill, Los Angeles Fire Department station no. 16, Angels Flight, the Farmers Market in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Also scenes of a trip to Death Valley and a typed summary of the trip by Hall. Many images of Victorian houses and streets on Bunker Hill, and the street named "Bunker Hill."

Binder 5

Contact prints Binder 5 approximately 1957-1958

Scope and Contents

Photographic prints made from negatives 10007-12010 by Theodore Hall. An image of the marquee of the Hollywood Chinese Theater dates the shot to 1957. Also, negative 11602 is dated April 5, 1958. Subjects include: Bunker Hill, various downtown hotels and apartment buildings, Pico House, Plaza Church, Olvera Street, Bradbury Building (beginning at negative 11770), Hollywood, and possibly Hollywood Park racetrack. Also scenes of construction on Bunker Hill, pouring cement sidewalks.

Binder 6

Contact prints Binder 6 approximately 1959

Scope and Contents

Photographic prints made from negatives 12011-13063 by Theodore Hall. Contains photographs and a map of Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge, dated 1959. Other subjects include: Bunker Hill, Grand Central Market, Central Library building, Mascotti Block building, Edison building, and the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Lucky Baldwin's historic properties in Arcadia. Several images of construction on Bunker Hill, particularly huge mounds of dirt on top of a hill where land was graded. Also some movie theaters downtown: the Roxie, Palace, and Paramount theaters.

Binder 7

Contact prints Binder 7 approximately 1960-1961

Scope and Contents

Photographic prints made from negatives 13064-14284 by Theodore Hall. Negative 13906 has a calendar for April 1961. Subjects include: Bunker Hill, Clifton's Cafeteria, bird's-eye-views of downtown and Union Station, Olvera Street, Central Library, Angels Flight Cafe, Grand Central Super Market, F.P. Fay building, American Barber College, Hotel Trenton, Hotel Albert, and the Touraine apartment building. Scenes of building demolition, and empty lots on Bunker Hill. Images of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson campaign headquarters at Biltmore Hotel, and a bungalow court downtown with address 127-131 S. Hope Street (no. 14085).

Negatives Series 3 approximately 1939-1962

Physical Description: 22 Linear Feet(34 boxes)

Scope and Contents

Numbers are not inclusive; some negatives are missing, or there are gaps in numbering. The contact print binders contain prints of negatives 5018-14284, with some gaps in numbers.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Photographic negatives housed in cold storage; extended retrieval and delivery time required.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Box 2

Negatives 100-2276

Scope and Contents

Negative numbers skip from 1099 to 2000.

Box 3

Negatives 2277-3599; 4126-4840

Box 4

Negatives 3600-3899

Box 5

Negatives 3900-4125

Box 6

Negatives 4841-5006

Box 7

Negatives 5020-5334

Box 8

Negatives 5335-5663

Box 9

Negatives 5664-5995

Box 10

Negatives 5998-6307

Box 11

Negatives 6308-6609

Box 12

Negatives 6610-6899

Box 13

Negatives 6900-7215

Box 14

Negatives 7216-7540

Box 15

Negatives 7541-7849

Box 16

Negatives 7850-8154

Box 17

Negatives 8155-8521

Box 18

Negatives 8522-8836

Box 19

Negatives 8837-9164

Box 20

Negatives 9165-9498

Box 21

Negatives 9499-9854

Box 22

Negatives 9855-10279

Box 23

Negatives 10280-10646

Box 24

Negatives 10647-10998

Box 25

Negatives 10999-11360

Box 26

Negatives 11361-11693

Box 27

Negatives 11694-12014

Box 28

Negatives 12015-12332

Box 29

Negatives 12333-12679

Box 30

Negatives 12680-13063

Box 31

Negatives 13064-13458

Box 32

Negatives 13459-13850

Box 33

Negatives 13851-14284

Box 34

Negatives of Hall and family; 1938 construction of Union Station; miscellaneous