Lost L.A. Archive
Southern California social history as told through buildings, landscapes and objects that are no more
- 1
Railroad magnate housed his late wife’s beloved art in a gallery that is no more.
May 14, 2011
- 2
Known as La Miniatura, the design is married to its site. A breakup would be tragic.
Sept. 4, 2010
- 3
Jonathan Bixby had 26,000 acres in what is today Long Beach. But as car travel pushed oil exploration, it went from sprawling ranch to oil supplier and, eventually, to the 7 1/2 acres that remain.
Aug. 7, 2010
- 4
The picture of two artists in the garden of the San Gabriel Valley mill tells a story of our nation’s past.
July 3, 2010
- 5
A forthcoming history of the Banning family recounts son Sanford’s adoration for all things equine.
June 5, 2010
- 6
Small, simple homes with an open floor plan were born from a demand by ill people who came to SoCal for warmth and clear air.
May 1, 2010
- 7
The Valley-based Guardian Service targeted 1950s homemakers.
April 3, 2010
- 8
Some of the works commissioned for Home Savings buildings have been destroyed or painted over.
March 6, 2010
- 9
Remember Sir Thomas More in HBO’s “The Tudors”?
Feb. 6, 2010
- 10
After founding Farmers and Merchants National Bank, the brothers Herman and Isaias went their separate ways, but gave the downtown some distinct structures.
Dec. 26, 2009
- 11
The city’s founders created the lane of cedars in the late 19th century. In 1920 city officials jazzed up the trees with holiday lights and Christmas Tree Lane was born.
Dec. 12, 2009
- 12
The Hollenbeck Home for the Aged in Boyle Heights in the 1890s: A home for ‘fortunate unfortunates’
Oct. 17, 2009
- 13
Built as a hotel, the ornate structure found its true calling as a home away from home for good living.
Sept. 19, 2009
- 14
The onetime Pasadena home was part of an architectural experiment of dynamic design to avoid wasted space in the house and create a unique shape.
Aug. 22, 2009
- 15
- 16
In the early 1900s, gardeners took a shine to the prickly plants, and ‘cactus rustling’ was born.
June 13, 2009
- 17
What happened to her studio is emblematic of what happened to Venice itself: Something edgy became cool, for better or worse.
May 16, 2009
- 18
A midcentury-modern beauty gave visitors a glimpse at SoCal living.
April 25, 2009
- 19
When it debuted with a modern design in 1952, it was a trip to the future. Now plans for it are uncertain.
March 14, 2009
- 20
Mining mogul and his young bride shared fine mansion, but marriage, and home, went up in flames.
Feb. 14, 2009
- 21
A retreat in Pacific Palisades’ Rustic Canyon served as a live-work destination for top painters, writers and musicians.
Jan. 10, 2009
- 22
Silent-screen star Harold Lloyd’s huge ornament collection made tree-trimming difficult until he found a way to keep the holidays fresh.
Dec. 13, 2008
- 23
Humble lives blossomed at 742 Clara St., built by developer William Mead for those of modest means. Then came the plague of 1924.
Nov. 1, 2008
- 24
A certain Pennsylvania Avenue address has spawned imitators across the continent, including Beverly Hills’ once-grand Rosewall estate.
Oct. 4, 2008
- 25
The developer bought his San Marino ranch in 1903, then tore down its mansion. He wanted the land.
Sept. 6, 2008