Los Angeles Way Back When

I found this small collection locally, here in Los Angeles, and it really speaks to those times when people were coming to southern California in search of the good life. No dates on any of these images, but I would guess that they arc from the late twenties to the early thirties.

Home From the War

Drafted during World War 2, not knowing if they'd survive or not, a lot of guys got married before shipping out and came home to children they had never seen.

Drunk Driver

Contrary to what most people now think, prohibition wasn't an idea of the blue nose anti-sin crowd. Rather, it was a reaction to massive alcohol abuse in the United States, especially in the years right after World War 1. I hope the driver is drinking water, but considering the era, I doubt it.

Betty Jane Easterly

Written on the back, "Betty Jane Easterly." Stamped, "B29." I know that I've written that children are the photo subjects that interest me the least, but the toy car made this one different. Based on the car's style, maybe the late twenties or early thirties. Those square front radiators started to disappear in the thirties. Anyway, the toy cor looks expensive, the house is nice looking, and the bit of the neighbors home that can be seen in the background indicates that these homes were built on fairly large lots. Does that mean that Betty Jane came from a well to do family, or just an indulgent one?

Old Cars

I bought these photos because I liked the old cars, but in time I found myself more fascinated by the house.

Cars

I've got a lot of photographs of people and cars, so I'm going to bunch some together every once in awhile. The vertical format image is dated on the back, "Aug 18-1935." Notice the woman in the bathing suit in the background. The photo with the child on the running board has a New York license plate from 1921. Note the "NO BALL PLAYING ON THIS WALL OR FENCE," warning behind the four women.

Going to the Dance

A nice young couple going off to a party, probably from the 1930's.