Visual Materials

The Old Downey Block

Description: Image of the corner of Temple Street and Main Street in downtown Los Angeles, California, showing the Downey Block building, with cobblestone streets, horse-drawn wagon, and water fountain in the foreground. The awnings and windows of the Downey Block storefronts have signs including: "Dr. Crawford, Dentist," "Dr. U.D. Reed, Dentist," "Maier & Zobelein Pilsener, Beer on Draught," "John Brown Our Best 5 Cigar ... 301 J.N. Rushton" at 301 N. Main Street, and "303 New-York Clothing House." The edge of Hazard and Harpham Patent Office can be seen attached to upper floor of building in upper left of image.
Type: Visual Materials(Opens in new tab)
Date: approximately 1897-1904
Call number: photCL_555_06_02
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Downey Block

Visual Materials

Image of the corner of Temple Street and Main Street in Los Angeles, California, showing the Downey Block building, with dirt street and horse-drawn wagons in the foreground. Visible signs and lettering on the Downey building include "Carpets," "Levy and Coblentz, wholesale dealers in wines and liquors" (located at 71 Main Street in the 1875 Los Angeles city directory) and "I.O.O.F." and "New York Millinery Store" can be seen on the building in the background.

photCL 555

Temple Block

Visual Materials

Elevated view of the three-story Italianate Temple Block building with streetcar and horse-drawn carriages in front, at the intersection of Main Street and Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles, California. The clock tower of the old Los Angeles County Courthouse can be seen directly behind the Temple Block building and the four-story Nadeau Hotel building at Spring and First Street can be seen under construction at upper right. With visible signs on the Temple building for "Jacoby Bro's Clothing House" and "County Bank." A sign for "Books" can be seen on the Downey Block building at lower right of image; "California Confectionary and Candy Works" and "Restaurant" can be seen on a building on Main Street in the background at left; and signs for "H. Jevne" and "City Wholesale Dry Goods, Clothing ..." can be seen on building on Spring Street at right.

photCL 555

Junction of Main Street and Spring Street, Los Angeles

Visual Materials

photCL 555

Amestoy Block's last days

Visual Materials

The Amestoy building, 202 North Main Street, occupied half a block on Market Street between Main and Los Angeles Streets. The vacant structure is prepped for wrecking.

photCL 486

Ex. Gov. Downey's Home, Main St. near 3rd

Visual Materials

View of a large brick house with Mansard roof, seen from the back and side. Identified as the home of John Downey, governor of California from 1860 to 1862, on South Main Street near 3rd Street, Los Angeles.

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A Standard Oil Station replaces a block of slums

Visual Materials

Standard Oil service station occupies a triangular block of North Alameda Street, Main Street and Macy Street.

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The Old Downey Block

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Downey Block

Temple Block

Junction of Main Street and Spring Street, Los Angeles

Amestoy Block's last days

Ex. Gov. Downey's Home, Main St. near 3rd

A Standard Oil Station replaces a block of slums