California

1955 L.A. smog siege

In 1955, downtown L.A. buildings are barely visible from 1st and Olive streets at the peak of heavy smog. Faintly visible from left are the Hall of Records, law building, new county law library and state building, with City Hall in background.

In 1955, downtown L.A. buildings are barely visible from 1st and Olive streets at the peak of heavy smog. Faintly visible from left are the Hall of Records, law building, new county law library and state building, with City Hall in background.

  (John Malmin / Los Angeles Times)

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Sept. 13, 1955: Hot weather and a low inversion layer leads to the highest recorded ozone level in Los Angeles history.

L.A. smog

Sept. 13, 1955: City Hall, a short block away, is a dim specter behind the Stephen M. White statue on the Hall of Records lawn during the peak of the city’s dense smog attack. This photo was published in the Sept. 14, 1955, Los Angeles Times. The statue is now in San Pedro.  (John Malmin / Los Angeles Times)

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