Life in Los Angeles, circa 1938 | It’s always been about the car…
October 6, 2009 by JP
*
“They say in L.A. there are only two methods of transportation-
car and ambulance.”
*
–Unknown
*
~*~
*
Auto traffic on Wilshire Boulevard during rush hour with sign for the WESTLAKE THEATRE looming in the background --ca. 1938.
*
*
Service attendant pumping gasoline into Ford sedan as woman watches at gas pumps covered by the wing of a large permanently parked airplane, on Wilshire Boulevard --circa 1938.
*
*
Motorist in his car making a transaction at the drive up window of a bank --ca. 1938.
*
*
Muller Brothers Service Station's white uniformed attendents pumping gas & inflating tires on a fancy convertible while their uniformed African-Amer. conterparts wield rags as they polish the windshield & chrome --ca. 1938.
*
*
Carhops busy with orders at a drive-in soda fountain --ca. 1938.
*
*
Carhop taking tray of dirty dishes off car window for passenger in car at drive-in soda fountain --ca. 1938.
*
*
Sign for the world's largest screen at entrance to DRIVE-IN THEATRE/ admission 35 cents a person --ca. 1938.
*
*
Posted in American, architecture, Auto, autos, history, LIFE archive, lifestyle, pop culture, style, vintage | Tagged 1930S, 1938, Auto, car, culture, LIFE, Los Angeles, photo, picture, vintage | 3 Comments
It seems much like a world away, as well as many lifetimes. There’s also a sense of real mobility (no pun intended)
Wonderful post and great photos! Love the “airplane-gas station” – seems very California! Good luck.
Dig that ’37 LaSalle at the gas station! Much as we despise L.A., there’s no denying that it’s arguably the cradle of car culture and these images prove it…NEAT.