7 Astonishing Images Of Vintage Los Angeles Will Leave You Amazed

A century before & after — mind-blowing historic LA.

Los Angeles is perhaps one of the most well-known cities in the World. So what makes LA so famous?

It’s the movies, and tv industries, along with famous Hollywood celebrities, gorgeous beaches with an amazing Mediterranean climate, sprawling metropolitan areas, and cultural and ethnic diversity, all adds up to make LA one of the most remarkable cities around the World — and a popular holiday spot for many.

However, it is not the LA of today that we are here for; instead, we are here to look at LA for how it was long before its busy highways and smoggy weather.

Below are some photos of Los Angeles from the period of 1800s till the early 1900s, which truly looks hundred percent different from today’s Los Angeles.

These pictures are of much importance because they show true Los Angeles back in the day.

Long before it was changed because of industrialization and the arrival of the railroad in California in the mid-’90s, which changed the whole vibe of the entire city.

This was the time when modern LA, or the LA as we know it, started taking shape. These early black and white photos are guaranteed to blow your mind if you are ever visiting or even live in LA. Let’s dig in:

1900, View Of Westlake Park

The picture above shows a daylight view across the lake at Westlake Park — later named MacArthur Park.

MacArthur Park, originally known as Westlake Park, dates back to the late 19th century. The park was renamed after General Douglas MacArthur.

The picture above captures what the park looked like in the 20th century. Interesting.

1888, View Of Spring Street

View south on Spring from Temple, Los Angeles c.1883–1894. In the background are the towers of Philips Block; the two larger buildings to its right are the City of Paris (One with Turrets) and the Jones Block.

To the far right are Allen Block and Harris & Frank’s London Clothing Co. with its iconic clock. This section is a part of the Downtown’s Historic Core district area together with portions of Broadway, Hill, Los Angeles streets, and Main.

Interestingly, Spring Street in Los Angeles is perhaps one of the oldest streets, if not the oldest, in the city.

1900, Famous Bunker Hill

Photograph of Downtown Los Angeles from the 1900s, looking Northeast from Pershing Square at the Neighborhood of Bunker Hill.

Bunker Hill was a large hill separating the city’s western end from Downtown Los Angeles.

It was not until the late 20th century that the hill was lowered in elevation and the entire area was re-developed, and today Bunker Hill is full of high-rise buildings and other modern structures for education, commerce, residences, and entertainment.

1921, Iconic Ambassador Hotel

Isn’t it a dreamy Aerial view of the late Ambassador Hotel in 1921?

The Ambassador Hotel, designed by Myron Hunt, opened to the public on the 1st of January, 1921. The hotel was also home to Los Angeles’ premier club for decades, Cocoanut Grove nightclub.

The place also got famous because of the Oscars, and it is the only hotel that has hosted Oscar ceremonies six times and every President of the United States from Hoover to Nixon!

The hotel was later renovated by Paul William in the late 1940s. However, after a long battle to preserve the iconic hotel ended in defeat, the Ambassador Hotel was demolished in 2005. Sadly, nothing lasts forever.

1922, Under Construction Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

This is an old picture of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum under construction in 1922

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is also known as The Greatest Stadium in the World. The stadium is a living memorial to all who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America during the first World War.

In addition, it is a civic treasure for the people of Los Angeles and generations to come. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is the only venue that has hosted two Summer Olympics; the third will be in 2028.

1922, Famous Sunset Boulevard

Trench across Vermont Avenue at its intersection with Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA

Sunset Boulevard is located in the Central and Western parts of Los Angeles. It stretches from Pacific Coast Highway to Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

It is the city’s most famous street and a thoroughfare between West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

1875, Los Angeles And Independence Railroad Depot

Isn’t the image above of Steam Engine in front of the Los Angeles and Independence Railroad Terminal at San Pedro and Fifth Street, super interesting?

It was on the 17th of October, 1875, when the iconic Los Angeles and Independence Railroad opened. It was a steam-powered rail line that ran between the Santa Monica Long Wharf and San Pedro and 5th Streets in Downtown Los Angeles.

Final Words

Los Angeles is still one of the most popular holiday destinations in the World, and it still has much to offer; only some work is needed in the areas of pollution control and cleanliness of the city.

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