The Epworth League Album 16, Another River

Pay attention to the photo with the ragged borders. More to come. On the second, the far ridge line is the San Gabriel Mountains and the closer ridge line looks like the Verdugo Mountians. If I'm right, then these three people are next to the Los Angeles River, very likely near where I live.

The Epworth League Album 15, Contrasts

In the novel Mildred Peirce by James M. Cain, much is made of the differences between Pasadena and Glendale, California. Pasadena is the city of old money and social position. Glendale is the city of a nascent middle class and social ambition. I do a lot of cycling in the L.A. area and I've ridden by the intersection shown in the first picture and while I'm not sure, I think it's in San Marino, a wealthy city on the southern edge of Pasadena. Some of the other photos show the type of house that was built for the new residents moving to southern California. Quickly built, smallish and moderately priced, just the type of home that once could be found lining every street in Glendale.

Ostriches in Los Angeles

All that meat, giant eggs and a fashion scene dominated by big hats with even bigger feathers. So why aren't the great plains of the United States covered in herds (flocks?) of ostriches? Another American get rich fad fails to catch on. The message written along the edge of the card reads, "My dear little friend. Where is my little red-headed girl that I don't hear from her anymore. I so often think of you and wonder if you are in the Park again. Do let us hear from you. Mr. S. send regards & love from your friend Mrs. Sisco." Mailed to, "Miss Frances Schroeder c/o Vern Stockwell, Billings, Mont" There is a space on the back of the card reserved for a return address, "Mrs. Charles O. Sisco, #4901 Vermont Ave Square, Los Angeles, Calif." Post marked, "LOS ANGELES, STA. C. JUL 7, 5:30 PM 1908."

Men In Love

Well. it's hard not to jump to conclusions on this one. The heart shape has been a symbol of a romantic relationship for centuries. This picture probably dates from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century.

Child Labor at the Hotel Gloria

When this photograph was taken, child labor was common. Guests at the Hotel Gloria wouldn't have thought twice about the morality of a ten year old staying up all night just in case an early morning newspaper was wanted, or if a lady needed her shoes cleaned for an early morning carriage ride. Went to Google and punched in Hotel Gloria and found hotels of that name in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Springwood, Australia, Jerusalem, Israel, Beatenburg, Switzerland, Chisinau, Moldova, Budapest, Hungary, Gran Canaria, Spain, and others.

The Epworth League Album 14, A New Reality

In my last couple of Epworth League posts, I mentioned that things were changing for the people in this album. Look closely at the second photo on the page. Palm trees. The mid-west has been left behind and now it's life in California. In the first decades of the twentieth century Harry Chandler, publisher of the Los Angeles Times and son-in-law of Harrison Grey Otis, the Times owner put out special national editions of the paper, publicizing the advantages of L.A. Snow covered mountains but a snow free city. Sunny days and beautiful beaches. Wide open spaces, orange groves and low cost homes. (Many built by real estate developer Harry Chandler.)

The Epworth League Album 13, Still Transitioning

Take my word for it, this is going somewhere. Hint, the clue is in the second photo. And remember, click on Epworth League in the labels section to review all of the posts to date.