More sources for information about the Auditorium...
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We also give you a link to the site itself (or sometimes a specific article) for your further research.
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Big Orange Landmarks
bigorangelandmarks.blogspot.com Floyd B. Bariscale is doing Los Angeles landmarks one by one. He has done a great Philharmonic Auditorium page (#61 on his list) with interesting photos and a nice history. The photos here are all from the Los Angeles Public Library collection. Here is a March 1906 construction photo on Mr. Bariscale's page. full size view
A 1920 view. Olive street entrance to the auditorium is at left.
An interior view from the balcony in 1966 by Rothschild Photo.
A detail of one of the proscenium boxes in 1935.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us The State Library has this 1915 view, when the theatre was called Clune's Auditorium, in its collection. full size view
This view looking east on 5th Street is a 1962 view by William Reagh.
The Biltmore Theatre marquee is on the right and the Philharmonic Auditorium vertical in the next block on the left.
History of Palos Verdes Estates
www.maureenmegowan.com Here's on Maureen's History of Palos Verde Estates page is a 1923 photo looking toward the back of Clune's (L.A. Philharmonic Hall at the time) and 4,229 potential investors in the project. Maureen sells real estate but her site has a number of other nice history pages to explore. full size image
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A view back into the dome at the Auditorium in 1966 by Rothschild Photo from the Library's collection. full size view
Looking across the vast auditorium.
Interior detail of the boxes from the Library's collection.
More interior views in the Library's collection: auditorium view - 1931 | main floor - 1951 | from top of balcony - undated | another view toward rear - undated |
Also: stage view of recital hall?? -- undated. The Library identifies this as a photo of the Philharmonic Building but it's certainly not the main auditorium.
More exterior views from the LAPL collection: 1905 construction photo | vintage postcard exterior | aerial view in the 20's | exterior with "Philharmonic Auditorium" vertical | similar view, no vertical | looking west on 5th | east on 5th - 1935 | east on 5th - 1945 | entrance - 1948 | panoramic view -- Auditorium is on far right with Temple office building beyond | lining up for "Music Man" tickets - 1958 | 60's view of Olive & Fifth | south on Olive - 1963 | later view of 5th St. facade | from across Pershing Square - 1966, William Reagh | same view at night | site as parking lot |
USC Archives
digarc.usc.edu A view of the marquee at the Olive St. entrance circa 1950.
A Visit to Old Los Angeles
www.csulb.edu A view of the Philharmonic Auditorium building from across Pershing Square Brent Dickerson's tour: Hill Street Part 2.
The page has many more vintage views of Hill Street and the park.
Zilf's Postcards on Flickr
www.flickr.com/photos/zilf Zilf has amassed a wonderful collection of Los Angeles postcards--459 at last count.
Here's a distance view showing the Auditorium building and Pershing Square. Note that there's no Biltmore Hotel yet. full size view
A closer view of the 5th Street Facade shown in this card sent in 1909. The top of the card says "Largest Concrete Building in the World."
The main building entrance on 5th Street.
For more information on downtown Los Angeles theaters near the Auditorium see the Theaters West of Broadway page.
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