Saturday, October 29, 2011

The Epworth League Album 17, Back Home


















I have to wonder if the two faded prints are from back home in the mid-west. There's a lot of old growth, far more than there would be around a new home in a new neighborhood. Remember, click on Epworth League in the labels section to bring up everything to date. Start with the first post and see the album in order.


Thursday, October 27, 2011

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.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

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.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

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."

Saturday, October 22, 2011

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.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

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.