A vanished city lives again...

Monday, December 28, 2009

The complete picture

In May, I posted this entry about the image of Los Angeles below. It's a photochrom colorized photograph that was taken by the Detroit Publishing Company in 1899-1900 from the tower of the old County Court House.


Wikimedia Commons.


Well, it just so happens that I recently found two photos taken the same day from the Court House tower showing the complementing views to the east and west, as well. The panorama is complete!

This is the eastward view (actually more south-eastern). Today, City Hall would be in front of and to the left of us here, and looming very large.


Click image for source, and an enlargement.


And this is the westward prospect. Today, the skyscrapers would dominate the center and left of this picture; the Walt Disney Concert Hall would be visible near the upper right.


Click image for source, and an enlargement.


I especially like the latter view of 1900 Bunker Hill. The neighborhood is still very much in its heyday. Note that the Court Flight funicular railway (1904) has not yet been built on the dirt slope in the foreground at center right. And, in case you're curious, that large, remarkable Victorian residence at Court and Hill Streets is the Bradbury Mansion (1887-1929).

Do click on the images and have a look at the enlargements. The detail that can be seen is really quite impressive.

 

1 comments:

Duncan said...

Scott-- When I went to the blow-ups of these shots--especially the one of Bunker Hill--I couldn't help but yell out loud, "Effing (or a various thereupon) phenomenal!" You feel as if you could fall into the pictures. Great finds. Thanks, and Happy New Year.

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