As the prosecution began its case in the War Crimes Trials at Nuremberg, 3000 G.I.s were back home, waiting in line for Thanksgiving Dinner at Castle Steak House. They were guests of the Los Angeles Herald-Express.

The year was 1945.

Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library

Downtown Los Angeles was no stranger to adaptive reuse. Dr. Walter Lindley built California Hospital at 315 W. Sixth Street in 1887. Years later, you could yourself buy a hat for $2.00, or rent a room for 50 cents at “The Lindley.”

The year was 1912.

Photo from the USC Digital Library

Halloween. Celebrated with free carnivals for kids at all Los Angeles City Recreations and Parks Department Playgrounds.

The year was 1961.

Photo from the USC Digital Library

Sixth and Hope was the birthplace of Biola University. Back then, it was still called the Bible Institute of Los Angeles.

The year was 1926.

Photo from the USC Digital Library

Hotel President Herman B. Sarno was joined by film starlets Heidi Heidemann, Beverly Anderson, and Kathy Marlowe, comedian Jack Carson, film Actress Connie Towers, and singing star Byron Palmer for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the luxurious Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel.

The year was 1955.

Photo from the USC Digital Library

When you hailed a 1929 Fiveborough Paramount Cab from the Yellow Cab Company, you were never charged for extra passenger or traffic delays.

The city was Los Angeles. The year was 1934.

Photo from the USC Digital Library

It was a special kind of streetcar. One whose sole purpose was to ferry passengers between the Maryland hotel in Pasadena, and Virginia hotel in Long Beach. It was the fastest car in the Pacific Electric fleet, clocking in at 109mph.

It was the Maryland Special. The year was 1900.

Photo from the USC Digital Library

Mrs. Viola E. Williams. Mrs. Mae Baker. A line has been drawn in the concrete of Westchester.

The year was 1951.

Photo from the USC Digital Library

UPDATE (2:46PM) Make that six. In less than a week.

But, don’t worry. The City Council plans to “more closely monitor upgrades to the city’s aging, leaky water system.”

Oh. Thanks.

In the meantime, may I recommend some afternoon shopping?

Photo from KTLA

They were soldiers from the Spanish-American War who served under Theodore Roosevelt. They were known as Teddy’s Terrors.  They gathered at First and Broadway in Los Angeles.

The year was 1904.

Photo from the USC Digital Library