7290 Sunset To-day

Man. Now there’s a place where you can get your kicks. Unfortunately, such shenanigans and the building what spawned them are no more. Tabu was razed and in its place, come 1963, rose a magnificent googiefied Pioneer Chicken, with a three-arched roof that mimicked Stanley Meston’s 1952 McDonald’s prototype.

Of course, now that’s gone as well. It was razed a couple months ago for whatever this damn thing is going to be. I’ve got some feelers out, and I’ll post a Pioneer shot if and when I get one.

Speed Kills

November 22, 1947
Los Angeles

County officials are in no hurry to play host to 18-year-old Leonard L. Chambers, 652 S. Indiana Street, who was found guilty of going 55 in a 25 mph zone and sentenced by Santa Monica Municipal Judge Lawrence Scherb to 10 days in jail (nine suspended), 30 days without a driving license, and to visit the County Morgue in the next 10 days to gaze upon the mangled body of a speeding victim. A Coroner’s office spokesman told the Times that in light of regulations, it was unlikely that this grisly date would be kept.

No, no, use your OWN wallet!

November 21, 1947
Los Angeles

When Henry Davis Jr., 24, died at Georgia Street Receiving Hospital yesterday, it seemed from his deathbed remarks that he’d been shot for having an empty wallet, after a trigger-happy pair of robbers hadn’t bothered to look for cash in his pockets.

But when a Mrs. Henry Davis Jr. called the hospital asking about her husband, who had just expired, police became suspicious. If Davis had been kidnapped, robbed and dumped at the hospital, how would the wife have the slightest idea where he was?

Det. Sgts. L.O. Burton and J.G. Cotch had a talk with Mrs. Davis at her home at 2228 E. 98th Street, and soon learned that Ervie Smith, 21, of 9697 E. 98th Street had informed her that after holding up some gamblers for $700 in Santa Monica, Henry shot himself in the gut while putting his gun away. As a dying thanks to his partner for not stripping his pockets, Henry came up with the robbery story… and he would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn’t for his meddling wife (who, presumably, will not be getting the $250 Henry died with).

Today’s lesson: use your wallet

November 20, 1947
Los Angeles

When the police found Henry Davis Jr. of 2228 E. 98th Street in the driveway of the Georgia Street Receiving Hospital, where he’d been tossed from a car, he was bleeding from a gunshot to the belly and near death. He told officers that two armed men had forced him into their car, discovered his empty wallet, and shot him before he could offer up the cash in his pockets. Then these hair-trigger fellas had dropped him off at Georgia Street.

After Davis died, police found more than $250 in his clothing.

What price embarassment?

November 17, 1947
Los Angeles

$13,100. That’s the amount Mrs. Marie Waterman wants as compensation for the events of last December 15, when her hand became trapped in the bathroom window of her apartment at 334 N. Normandie. Mrs. Waterman was in the all together at the time, and could not reach a towel. When she finally yelled for help, a man answered her cries and got an eyefull.

She is in Superior Court hoping that Western Loan & Building Co, her landlords, will pony up a whole field of cabbage for her trouble.

334 N. Normandie, To-day

Your tax dollars at work. Call it subsidized housing, or call it the projects, Mrs. Waterman’s nudie-cutie apartment building has been razed to build “Beverly Manor,” a 59-unit Section 8 & 236 complex. This uninspired pile appears to be one of those thrown up in the 80s by HCD, LAHD and CACTC (and, if you live there, your rent is paid by HUD, CALHFA & HACLA. It’s fun!) Marvel at the “Southwest” pastel colors and fake red-tile roof. Of course, this could be a prewar structure, bastardized to such an extent that nothing but its massing gives us a clue to its vintage.

Perhaps Marie the Hotcha Lady lived in something more like this, just up the street at 400 Normandie. A restrained Spanish Eclectic, with, miraculously, the entirety of its original double-hung and pre-1923 inward-opening casement windows. Spanish tile, as opposed to Mission, and nice balconets. The roofline shows Mission conceit, and the corner quoins and quoined arch are a welcome touch. Ah, the scent of the Panama-California Expo is in the air.

Strip Shopping

November 16, 1947
Los Angeles

Three fellas who stopped by the market at 1313 E. Olympic last night got a humiliating surprise when a pair of armed robbers made them slip off their trousers and hand ’em over. While the chilly victims were waiting in the back of the store, the robbers made off with $800 from the till and $289 from various pockets. They were kind enough not to take the trousers when they left.

1313 Olympic To-day


The hustle and bustle of the produce district is still felt in the 1918 Terminal Market at Central and 7th, and the 1909 City Market at 9th and San Pedro, though the building that housed 1313 Olympic has been replaced by this modern distribution center. And the Hebraic gents who ran wholesale produce in Los Angeles have also been largely replaced.

Perhaps the trouser-snatchers thought they were in the garment district, which is in fact located five blocks west.

Pretty Baby

November 15, 1947
Los Angeles

Mother: when a man comes to the door, tells you your little Arnie is the handsomest tot he’s ever seen and suggests that for a mere $2.50 he can snap a swell shot of the little one for entry into the Downtown Business Men’s Association’s beautiful baby contest, slam that screen door fast. There’s no such contest, the guy’s a crook, and to be perfectly honest, your kid is… uhm… gee… well, he’s just adorable.

This has been a public service announcement from your pals at the 1947project.