LA History

See How DTLA Dressed Up For the Holidays in 1929

Celebrate Repeal Day at These Prohibition-Era L.A. Haunts

The famous Hollywood sign, which originally said ‘Hollywoodland’. The last four letters were removed in 1949.

Hollywood Boulevard, 1950s.

Hollywood, 1959.

Cars drive along the Hollywood freeway in Cahuenga Pass, 1940s

The Hollywood Bowl in 1928

“Hollywoodland” was its original message, which, at night flashed “HOLLY,” then “WOOD,” then “LAND.” The sign was created and erected by LA Times publisher Harry Chandler in 1923 as a billboard for his upscale Hollywoodland real estate development. During the Great Depression, the development company could no longer maintain it. In 1949, the “H” fell due to heavy winds and lack of maintenance. Hollywood Chamber of Commerce repaired the sign and removed the last four letters.

Stan’s Drive-In, Hollywood, California, 26 March 1958.

Rural East Hollywood, circa 1905.

The NBC Radio Studios in Hollywood, at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street, in 1938.

‘Eat in Car’ early drive-in, Hollywood California 1935

Hollywood, 1977, with a ‘Star Wars’ billboard on Mann’s Chinese Theater.

Showing some leg in the Hollywood Hills, 1940s

Formerly Brooklyn Avenue, Cesar E. Chavez is one of the oldest streets in the city

From 2012: A Snowstorm in Los Angeles? It's Happened.

Boozy Stroll Through Old Hollywood Is a Must for History Buffs