Mystery photo

 

Here's a switch--I don't have an answer to the question: "Where on Figueroa was this picture taken?" The postcard is for sale on EBay. Any ideas, let me know.

I stumbled across this journey through early Los Angeles trying to find the location of the pepper trees on Figueroa. The story, part of The Times' edition celebrating its 10th anniversary, is long and the page is very gray (not a single picture; imagine that). If you ever wanted to know what it was like to explore Los Angeles by foot, horse and buggy, and by horse-drawn streetcar, you'll want to read this. Note: Los Angeles was 36 square miles!

Click here for the entire page: Download 1891_1204_page.jpg

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• Well, my best guess (and it is strictly a guess) would be some where around 12th or closer in. The pepper trees obscure the horizon but there is no hint of Bunker Hill so it can't be too close in, maybe 9th street would be possible. The shadows the trees are throwing tells us we're looking north and the grand house in the distance and the street improvements tells us we're in an upscale neighborhood. I'm going to guess 12th St.

• I think closer to Adams...

Comments

[Lawrence Ross]

I'm just trying to remember when Figueroa looked this pretty!

--That's one reason I ran the picture!

--Larry

[Robbie Fields]

Well the accompanying article talks of pepper trees along Adams (Street) which adjoined Figueroa. Was this Adams Street the same as present day Adams Boulevard?

Certainly, the article makes for fascinating reading ...

Vernon, the horticultural center of Los Angeles!

--That was my assumption. It would be fun to retrace the route from 1891... Maybe I'll get to it one of these days.

--Thanks for reading!

--Larry