A Guide to the Best of Southern California : HISTORY : Picture This
Having trouble remembering what Bunker Hill looked like 25 years ago? Can’t conceive of the San Fernando Valley without Gallerias? Need proof that liberal Santa Monica once sported segregated beaches? Not to worry. History may have been plowed over, but it hasn’t been forgotten.
The Los Angeles Public Library’s daunting collection of 2 1/2 million-plus historical photographs--including contributions from Security Pacific Bank, the Herald-Examiner and photographer William Reagh--documents more than 100 years of city life. And such gems as a 1920 front-yard Watts wedding and Nobel laureate Ralphe Bunche’s baby portraits were recently acquired for the archives through the library’s “Shades of L.A.” project, which solicits pictures from family albums in ethnic communities.
If you want to take home a piece of history, a print of any photo is available for $10, as long as it’s for personal or nonprofit use. The collection is shown by appointment only.
Los Angeles Public Library, History and Genealogy Department, 433 S. Spring St., Los Angeles; (213) 612-3316.
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