Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Visual Materials
This collection contains 131 black-and-white photographs (including some duplicates) of views of building exteriors and streets scenes in Old Chinatown and neighboring residential and industrial areas of downtown Los Angeles, California, that were taken prior to the demolition of the area beginning on December 23, 1933, to make way for the Los Angeles Union Station railroad terminal. The photographs consist of eye-level street views focused on the area of downtown Los Angeles, around Apablasa Street (spelled Apalabasa or Apalabassa on the images), that was bordered by Alameda Street to the west, Aliso Street to the south, Date and College Streets to the north, and Lyon to the east. The views include images of industrial and commercial areas; retail storefronts; warehouses; manufacturing; utility and railroad buildings; houses and apartments with balconies; dirt streets and alleys; children; automobiles; and dilapidated and vacant buildings. The signage on retail buildings often reflects the Chinese and Hispanic heritage of residents and shop owners in the area. The photographer is unidentified, but presumably the photographs were created to aid in planning for the project, perhaps as part of the process of determining property valuation.
photCL 502
Visual Materials
View of a one-story wooden building next to a two-story brick building with balcony on Apablasa Street in Old Chinatown, Los Angeles. There is a child in the street.
photCL 502 (39)
Visual Materials
View of street corner with two-story brick buildings on Apablasa Street at the corner of Juan Street in Old Chinatown, Los Angeles.
photCL 502 (36)
Visual Materials
View of two-story attached brick buildings on Apablasa Street in Old Chinatown, Los Angeles. There is laundry hung outside one building and two children on the sidewalk. A sign with Chinese characters hangs on one balcony.
photCL 502 (38)
Visual Materials
View of Apablasa Street in Old Chinatown, Los Angeles, with attached brick one- and two-story buildings, some with balconies, visible on either side, and an automobile in the foreground.
photCL 502 (44)
Visual Materials
View of two-story attached brick buildings, with balconies and drying laundry, on Apablasa Street in Old Chinatown, Los Angeles. Two automobiles are parked in front and there is a tree planted at the edge of the sidewalk.
photCL 502 (32)
