Theodore Hall Photographs of Bunker Hill, Los Angeles and Environs: Finding Aid
photCL 384
Suzanne Oatey
The Huntington Library
February 2022
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Theodore Hall photographs of Bunker Hill, Los Angeles and environs
Creator:
Hall, Theodore
Identifier/Call Number: photCL 384
Physical Description:
16.3 Linear Feet
(34 boxes, 7 binders)
Date (inclusive): approximately 1939-1962
Abstract: A collection of photographs chiefly
documenting the Bunker Hill neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles before and during
redevelopment in the mid-twentieth century. Also includes images of residents and adjacent
districts of Los Angeles.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Theodore Hall photographs of Bunker Hill, Los Angeles and
environs, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Irving Haines, November 1993.
Biographical / Historical
Theodore Seymour Hall (1880-1963) was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to William Wisner Hall and
Elizabeth Archer Van Cleve Hall. He attended Berkeley High School, in Berkeley, California,
and Harvard University. In 1909, he married Ruth Houghton, and they had two children:
Houghton Seymour Hall (born 1910) and Winslow William Hall (born 1912). Hall worked in
various managerial positions, and in 1920 was manager of the Standard Chemical Company in
Alameda, and lived in Oakland, California. In 1925, Hall had settled in New York, working in
industrial banking. He and Ruth divorced in 1929, and the same year, Hall married Edna Kofal
Davison; they lived in Long Island while Hall worked as a bond salesman and sales executive.
By 1938, the 58-year-old Hall was again divorced and living on Bunker Hill in Los Angeles,
as a roomer at the Sherwood Apartments on South Grand Avenue. He took up photography and was
befriended and mentored by Irving Haines, a local commercial photographer, and Haines' wife,
Martha. Hall joined outings of Haines Camera Club, which met downtown on Olive Street. In
1952, Hall was living in the Cumberland Hotel on South Olive Street (Bunker Hill), which he
later vacated because the building was scheduled to be torn down. In 1960 he was living at
the Engstrum Apartments on West Fifth Street. Hall died in 1963, in Los Angeles, at age
83.
Biographical / Historical
The Bunker Hill neighborhood of Los Angeles was an enclave of wealthy residents and grand
mansions at the turn of the century. By the 1920s to 1940s, it had transformed into a
mixed-use urban residential area with a more transient population, and went into decline.
The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles proposed the Bunker Hill Urban
Renewal Project, which was officially adopted by the Los Angeles City Council in 1959. The
CRA acquired Bunker Hill properties, relocated residents and businesses, and began
demolishing buildings and clearing land, changing the landscape dramatically.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains approximately 9,000 negatives (2 ¼ x 2 ¼ inches), 7 binders of
contact prints of a large portion of the negatives, and 3 photobooks (11 x 14 inches). The
photographs were taken by Theodore Hall, an avid amateur photographer and resident of Bunker
Hill, Los Angeles from 1938 to 1963. Photographs depict the historic structures and streets
of the neighborhood before and during the urban renewal of the 1950s, when buildings were
razed and much of the hill was lopped off and graded. Hall photographed houses, storefronts,
signs, architectural details, cars, and often the residents: shopkeepers, newsstand vendors,
local children, and people on their front porches. A diverse population including African
American, Asian American, Latin American, and white residents are pictured in everyday
activities in the neighborhood. Grand Central Market, the downtown food and grocery
emporium, is featured extensively in detailed images of vendors, customers, neon signs, and
food stalls. Also seen on Bunker Hill are hotels and apartment buildings, the Angels Flight
funicular railway, Victorian mansions turned into rooming houses, liquor stores, and
construction crews grading land and pouring cement. Many historic buildings are seen in
disrepair, and some are pictured in the midst of being torn down.
Other Los Angeles sites depicted are: Union Station, City Hall, Olvera Street and the
Plaza, churches, freeways, and automotive tunnels. The contact print binders also contain
Hall's photographs of friends, social gatherings, camera club members, practice portrait
sessions, annual visits to family in the San Francisco Bay Area, and a few day trips in
Southern California.
Some of the Los Angeles architects whose buildings are represented are: John C. W. Austin,
Austin and Brown, Welton Becket, Dodd and Richards, Frederick R. Dorn, Edelman &
Barnett, Theodore A. Eisen, Charles O. Ellis, Arthur L. Haley, Marsh and Russell, T. J.
McCarthy, William H. Mohr, Joseph C. Newsom, John Parkinson, John Cotter Pelton Jr., James
M. Shields, Lewis A. Smith, Train and Williams, George Herbert Wyman, and Robert Brown
Young.
Processing Information
Processed by Huntington Library staff, circa 1996. In 2022, Suzanne Oatey created a finding
aid. The three photobooks contain captions by Hall, which have been transcribed in the
container list. Supplemental information in the Scope and Contents notes has been provided
by Nathan Marsak, author of "Bunker Hill Los Angeles: Essence of Sunshine and Noir" (Angel
City Press, 2020).
Arrangement
Organized in three series:
Series 1. Photobooks, 1939-1962
Series 2. Contact prints (photographs), approximately 1951-1961
Series 3. Negatives, approximately 1939-1962
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
RESTRICTED: Photographic negatives (Boxes 2-33) housed in cold storage; extended retrieval
and delivery time required.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Negatives (photographs)
Photobooks
Photographs
Photographs -- California -- Los Angeles -- 20th century
African Americans -- California -- Los Angeles -- Photographs
Apartment houses -- California -- Los Angeles -- Photographs
Architecture, Domestic -- California -- Los Angeles --
Photographs
Architecture -- California -- Los Angeles -- Photographs
Asian Americans -- California -- Los Angeles -- Photographs
Boardinghouses
Bunker Hill (Los Angeles, Calif.) -- Photographs
City Planning -- California -- Los Angeles
Hispanic Americans -- California -- Los Angeles --
Photographs
Hotels -- California -- Los Angeles -- Photographs
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Photographs
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Buildings, structures, etc. --
Photographs
Low-income housing
Mansions -- California -- Photographs
Olvera Street (Los Angeles, Calif.) -- Photographs
Urban renewal -- California -- Los Angeles -- Photographs
Wrecking -- California -- Los Angeles -- Photographs
Grand Central Market (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Angels Flight (Railway) -- Photographs
Austin, John C. W. (John Corneby Wilson), 1870-1963
Becket, Welton
Train and Williams (Firm)
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.
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.
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 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 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 34
Negatives of Hall and family; 1938 construction of Union Station;
miscellaneous