Author Archives: desteede

Melton’s Produce Stall, Farmers Market, Hollywood, California

This image shows two of the employees of Martin Melton’s produce stall in the Famers Market in Hollywood, California.

Mirro-Chrome by H. S. Crocker Co., Inc.

The description states:
FARMERS MARKET
Los Angeles, California
“Morning fresh fruits and vegetables” started Farmers Market in 18 little canvas booths many years ago and this motto is still followed by all the produce booths which carry only the choice grades of the many California products.
–The wooden implement in front of the customer, between the two employees, is a shopping cart.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

Shopping at Melton’s, Hollywood Farmers Market, California

This image shows a typical customer looking over the produce for sale at Melton’s, one of the stalls at the Farmers Market in Hollywood, California.

A Mike Roberts Color Production, Berkeley 2, Calif.

The description states:
FARMERS MARKET, LOS ANGELES
This popular shopping center, unique in its arrangement of open air stands, is typical of Southern California’s climate.
–At this time there were over 80 such stalls for vendors, and the establishment continues in the same location today.
The basket to the right of the shopper is not a wastebasket, but a shopping cart for transporting her purchases to her car or other transport.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

Patio Dining, Hollywood Farmers Market, California

This image is a view from above the diners as the eat under colorful umbrellas on the patio of one of the dining establishments associated with the Hollywood Farmers Market.

“Plastichrome” by Colourpicture., Boston 15, Mass., U.S.A.

The description states:
FARMERS MARKET
Los Angeles, Calif.
Dining on the sun deck of the fabulous Farmers Market.
–These diners appear to be eating a more substantial meal than those in the previous posting.
The photo is credited to Geo. E. Watson. This image likely dates from the 1950s.

Hollywood Farmers Market Dining, California

This image shows a small sit down restaurant within the Hollywood Farmers Market in California.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”

The description states:
Scene in the original Farmers Market, West 3rd St at Fairfax — Hollywood’s unique outdoor food market, where motion picture stars and Hollywood housewives shop. The marketplace was opened in 1934 by Roger Dahlhjelm, comprises 80 farm stalls and food specialty shops. The world’s largest, most colorful permanent food fair patronized daily by more than 15,000 Southern Californians.
–The diners visible here appear to be eating a small snack and drinking coffee. The basket in the lower foreground appears to be a shopping bag for one of the diners.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.

Hollywood Farmer’s Market, California

This image shows a colorized photo of the famous Farmers Market in Hollywood, California.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”

The description states:
Scene in the original Farmers Market, West 3rd St. at Fairfax — Hollywood’s unique outdoor food market, where motion picture stars and Hollywood housewives shop. The marketplace was opened in 1934 by Roger Dahlhjelm, comprises 80 farm stalls and food specialty shops. The word’s largest, most colorful permanent food fair patronized daily by more than 15,000 Southern Californians.
–The photo is credited to “Dick” Whittington on the bottom left.
The market still exists at the same location, and has grown to over 100 stalls. It is situated next to the Grove outdoor shopping mall.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.

Streamliner Train through California Orange Groves

This image is an artist’s rendition of a streamlined steam train operating in southern California amidst the orange groves common there in this era.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”

There is no description on the back of this card.
This train strongly resembles the Pioneer Zephyr, a train run on the Burlington Route in the midwest United States, and thus not close to the orange groves of southern California. The badging is different on the front of the train, indicating a different company from the Burlington.
Other postings of this image also conclude that this is not a photograph but instead a mash-up of a train and orange groves, as the Southern Pacific did not have streamliners of this design.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.

Orange Groves, California

This image is a colorized photo of orange groves in California, likely located in Orange County, just south of Los Angeles, California.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”

There is no description on the back of this card.
Such groves have been considerably reduced in number as urbanization has spread through the Los Angeles and Orange Counties, resulting in considerable amounts of farm and orchard land being paved over for homes, businesses and roads.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.

CBS Building, Hollywood, California

This image is a colorized photo of the building housing the CBS radio station known as KNX, located on Columbia Square in Hollywood, California.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”

The description states:
A magnificent new structure, the Pacific Coast Home of the Columbia Broadcasting System, now stands on the spot where the motion picture industry first took root in Hollywood in October of 1911, — now Columbia Square.
Located on Sunset Boulevard, one of the principal traffic ribbons threading its way through the entertainment capital of the world — a five story office building, ten studios, including the Playhouse and adjoining offices.
–The building still exists today, looking much the same from this vantage point, though there are additional buildings being added to the square. KNX radio moved out of the building in 2005, and all broadcasting ceased in 2007.
This card was used and is dated 4 September 1953, but the card description and the appearance of the building indicates this image dates from the 1940s.

Emmett Kelly as “Weary Willie”

This image is of the most iconic clown in America, Weary Willie as performed by the legendary Emmett Kelly.

Florida Natural Color, Inc. 101 NW 176th St., Miami 69, Fla.

The description states:
EMMETT KELLY AS “WEARY WILLIE”,
WORLD FAMOUS CLOWN.
Color Photo by H. W. Hannau
–The fame of this character is such that a museum has been built in his honor.
This card was used and is dated 25 January 1966.

Southernmost Motel, Key West, Florida

This image shows the pool and main building of the Southernmost Motel, so called because of it’s location on the island of Key West, Florida.

Luis Azarraga, 298 Nassau Blvd., Mineola, N. Y.

The description states:
SOUTHERNMOST MOTEL
(at the end of Duval by the Ocean)
Telephone CYpress 6-6577
The newest and most modern motel in Key West. 30 Motel Room and 20 Efficiencies, 100% Air Conditioned and Heated. Our own Private Swimming Pool and Beach Facilities. T.V. Lounge, Solarium, and Shuffleboard. South and Duval Streets, Key West, Florida. A. and B. Mazur, owners and managers.
–The establishment is now known as the Southernmost Beach Resort.
This card was used and is dated 31 January 1962.