Los Angeles, March 1961

Here are two 1961 photos featuring some iconic Los Angeles buildings. Hooray!

First up is the picture of the Los Angeles Central Library building as seen from South Hope Street. This lovely structure is the third-largest public library in the nation. It was built in 1926, and designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue (now that's a name) borrowing elements from ancient Egyptian and  "Mediterranean Revival"  motifs. According to Wikipedia, the library (which has been expanded over the years) now has nearly 89 miles of shelves. ZOIKS! 

To the right you can see the sign for the "Church of the Open Door", which is described as non-denominational, but Evangelical. Locals are probably most familiar with its large "Jesus Saves" sign (now atop the nearby Ace Hotel). The church relocated to Glendora in 1985; in 1987, the building seen in this photo was damaged in the Whittier Narrows earthquake, and subsequently razed.

This next photo shows the wonderful Richfield Tower, which was the headquarters for Richfield Oil, naturally. They sponsored stuff at Disneyland! Like the Autopias, don'tcha know. The Tower was built in 1928/29 and was notable for its striking black and gold Art Deco façade. There were rows of terra cotta angels encircling the top. 

Richfield outgrew these headquarters, the building was destroyed in 1969, in spite of the efforts of local preservationists. Such a shame!