Want to be swept away to another place in time? These rare black and white photos of Southern California will take you back to SoCal like you've never seen it before. Flipping through these pictures is like flipping through an old photo album you discovered in your grandparent's attic. You'll find a snapshot from a 1920s beauty pageant, a candid moment at a glitzy Hollywood party, a charming main street from the 1940s, and many other surprises.
If you can't get enough of these vintage gems, take a look at these other rare photos of Southern California in my other post that takes you back in time to SoCal's major cities: What Southern California's Major Cities Looked Like in 1910. Ready to be dazzled? Let's look at some vintage black and white pictures!
1. A candid photo taken at a 1940s Hollywood party with the Hollywood legend, Clark Gable, captured in the shot.
2. A great picture of the main street in Pasadena in 1945. If you look closely you can see the Broadway Pasadena in the background. That building no longer exists, but many of the other structures are still there today.
3. Look at this old ambulance in Orange County stopped in front of the Towner and Hartley building. The date is unknown -- any guesses?
4. A rare look at the YWCA in Los Angeles on Hill Street in the early 1900s.
5. The Egyptian Theatre as photographed in 1926 in San Diego shortly after its grand opening.
6. Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa in 1933 post-earthquake showing the damage that was done to the buildings and the street.
7. Another shot of the 1933 earthquake damage in Orange County. In addition to the damage, it's hard not to notice the price of items at F.W. Woolworth Co. at 5, 10, and 15 cents. Wow!
8. Doctors and nurses surround a patient in this Interior photo of the Los Angeles Infirmary in 1908. Located at Sunset and Beaudry, this location later became St. Vincent's Hospital.
9. A giant buffalo burger is devoured by radio DJ Texas Tiny in front of Buffalo Ranch in Newport Beach circa 1955.
10. Santa Fe Depot in Santa Ana as it looked in 1911. Over 100 years ago!
11. A rare look at a 1927 Los Angeles "Perfect Back Contest" sponsored by the National Chiropractic Association.
12. If you were a Boy Scout in 1953, you probably remember the Boy Scout Jamboree held at Irvine Ranch, which is now part of Newport Beach. This dynamic archway was designed by the famous and local resident, Virgil Partch.
If you like what you see, you can look at even more vintage pictures of SoCal from 1930, 1950, 1960 and 1970. If you love old photos, you won't be able to resist these pictures, I promise!
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