Interesting websites and photo
collections related to the history of
Wilshire Boulevard and Westwood...

Here are some Wilshire history resources I've come
across that are fun to explore. Please contact me if you
  know of other sites or photo collections of interest.

--Bill Counter

 about photos from other
websites that appear on this page...

    Curating the City    

http://www.curatingthecity.org/

A view of the interior of the Wilshire Temple by
Larry Underhill as part of the Wilshire tour photo gallery.

This 2005 project of the LA Conservancy takes
you on a journey along Wilshire via an interactive map. 
There are lots of thumbnail images along the way to
click on for more information.  Also check out the
 downloadable tour booklet.

The site got an upgrade in 2010 with many new photos added.

     Elizabeth Fuller's LA Postcards    

www.flickr.com/photos/zilf    

  Elizabeth Fuller has amassed a wonderful collection
of Los Angeles postcards--459 at last count. Here's a
classic Miracle Mile view from her collection.

Here we're looking east. The El Rey Theatre.
sign is poking out at the left. full size view

Also see Zilf's:
|  Wilshire at night |  Prudential Building  |
  |  1947 Miracle mile night view  |

    Jericl Cat on Flickr    

 flickr.com/photos/79761301@N00

Browse through Jericl Cat's Wilshire Blvd. set for a great
stroll along the boulevard. There are photos, postcards,
restaurant menus, matchbook covers and lots more. 

Here we have a photo of the Wilshire Bowl, a
nightclub on the Miracle Mile, at Wilshire and Masselin.
full size view  |  another Wilshire Bowl view  c. 1938 |

See also Jericl Cat's terrific Los Angeles Theatres set.

    Miracle Mile on Flickr    

www.flickr.com/groups/miraclemile/pool

The Miracle Mile photo pool has lots of great images. 

Here's a view of a Miracle Mile sign in
the pool by MR38.   full size view

Also see Mr38's
Movie Theatres & Marquees set.

    Carlos Rossi on Flickr    

www.flickr.com/photos/fatalblades

Carlos Rossi's Wilshire Blvd.set has over 200 nice
views of the architecture along the Boulevard.

Here's a shot of a detail on the Desmond's
Department Store building. full size view.

    Tejana on Flickr    

 www.flickr.com/photos/tejana/sets/321380/  

A 2006 view of marquee soffit of the Fine Arts
by Tejana as part of the Wilshire Beauty set. 
full size view

In addition to many nice photos in the Wilshire set,
see also Tejanas's Hollywood set and Neon set.

    Wilshire Blvd: Grand Concourse  

www.kevinroderick.com/books.html

Kevin Roderick's book "Wilshire Boulevard: Grand
 Concourse of Los Angeles" (Angel City Press, 2005,
 2008 pages, $40) celebrates "one of the most
 magnificent thoroughfares on the planet" (to quote
 a blurb for the book).

Kevin gives you a glorious ride down
 the "Main Street of Los Angeles."

    You Are Here   

www.you-are-here.com

Take Martin's tour down  Wilshire Boulevard for
lots of terrific photos. Clicking on the name of any
building will get you a photo.

Here's Martin's view of Bullock's Wilshire
full size view

 A movie shoot in Westwood.

photo: Bill Counter - 2007

[ click to enlarge ]

The former Ralph's market in Westwood.

photo: Bill Counter - 2007

[ click to enlarge ]

     Card Cow    

www.cardcow.com

A wonderful collection of vintage postcard views of the city. 
Shown here is a Dick Wittington view of Wilshire Blvd.
 full size view

Search the site:
  |  wilshire blvd.  |  beverly hills  |  westwood  |  santa monica  |

    Early Santa Monica    

by Louise B. Gabriel and the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum
Arcadia Press Images of America Series, 2006
ISBN: 9780738531441

www.arcadiapublishing.com

|  preview and buy on Amazon |  preview on Google Books  |

The book has many wonderful photos of early Santa Monica.
Here we're looking at the North Beach Bathhouse, built in 1894.
On Google Books:  larger view


Also see:
"Santa Monica: A History on the Edge" 
by Paula Scott

    Great Wilshire Walk    

   www.flickr.com/photos/waltarrrrr

Browse Waltarrrrr's Great Wilshire Walk set for
a tour from downtown to the beach via 325 photos.



Here's his view of the Gaylord Apartments.
full size view

    Penny Postcards from California    

www.usgwarchives.org/ca/ppcs-ca.html 

 

Lots of fun here browsing through submissions
 from many contributors.  Shown here is a view of
Wilshire Boulevard at Macarthur Park from the
site's Los Angeles section.
full size view

Search the site:
 |  beverly hills  |   los angeles  |  santa monica  |

    Public Art in L.A.    

www.publicartinla.com 

This terrific website has lots of photos
of signage and historic buildings. Check
out the Wilshire Neon Signs page.

Here we're at Wilshire and Norton for Perino's and
the Los Altos Apartments.   full size view

    Vintage Los Angeles    

www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Los-Angeles

Alison Martino's Facebook page is a wonderland for
vintage photos. Here we're looking at a view of the Beverly
Wilshire posted on the site by Brian McCray. 
full size view

A 1928 cover of "Wilshire Topics" added
to the archive by Nile Hight.
full size view

Go browsing!

    Westwood    

by Marc Wanamaker
Arcadia Press Images of America Series, 2010
ISBN: 9780738569109

www.arcadiapublishing.com

|  preview and buy on Amazon |  preview on Google Books  |

  A nice history of the area with many historic photos from
 from Mr. Wanamaker's Bison Archives.   Here we're looking at the
 observation tower at Wilshire and Beverly Glen.
On Google Books:  larger view

     Wikipedia    

en.wikipedia.org

A 2008 view of the Granada Shoppes from the
  Wikipedia article on Monuments along Wilshire Blvd.  
full size view

Wikipedia's Article on Wilshire Boulevard  has all
 sorts of interesting data as well as links
for additional browsing.

The Miracle Mile article has some history on
 the stretch between Fairfax and La Brea.

And there's even an article on
 the Mid-Wilshire area.