Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Image not available
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 Familian Pipe & Supply Co. and Alpert & Alpert Junk Co. buildings on Lyon Street near Old Chinatown in Los Angeles. There are automobiles on the street and in front of the junk business and a wagon in the foreground. Los Angeles City Hall is in the background.
photCL 502 (20)
Visual Materials
View of the Standard Pipe and Supply Co. building on the corner of Date Street and College Street near Old Chinatown in Los Angeles, with an automobile in front and the sign "Will move soon to 4437-4441 Santa Fe Ave. South of Vernon."
photCL 502 (112)
Visual Materials
View of a wooden building housing the Alpert & Alpert Junk Co. business on Lyon Street near Old Chinatown in Los Angeles. Automobiles are parked on the street and on the property and there are palm trees that appear to be on the property.
photCL 502 (19)
Visual Materials
View of Dr. A. H. Pownell, Veterinary Surgeon and James Martin, Grading and Paving Contractor buildings in Los Angeles. The street sign for the corner of Lyon Street and N. Vignes Street is in the foreground.
photCL 502 (22)
Visual Materials
View of Star Hay Co. and Sound Tire and Rubber Products Co. buildings on Lyon Street near Old Chinatown, Los Angeles, with automobiles on the street.
photCL 502 (21)
