Every once in a while it’s fun to go back in time to see just how much has changed in Southern California over the years. These vintage photos of SoCal really capture the incredible transformation that has happened since 1910 in many of the familiar areas we call home. Take a look and see for yourself – the changes will blow you away!
- A Santa Monica beach scene in the early 1900s at the North Beach Bath House.
Wikimedia Commons
- The historic Plaza in Orange before it was historic. The Orange Street Fair in 1910 is pictured here.
Orange County Archives
- Sunbathing at Long Beach in front of the Bath House wearing suits, dresses and hats!
Wikimedia Commons
- Lomita Avenue in Glendale captured in this postcard circa 1910.
flickr/the upnorth memory guy
- Pasadena as it looked on Fair Oaks Avenue and Colorado Street. Check out the electric street car and horse-drawn carriages.
Wikimedia Commons
- Santa Monica as it looked in 1910. An early model automobile travels down Ocean Road.
Wikimedia Commons
- Elysian Park in its early days. It’s the oldest park in Los Angeles.
J Jakobsen/California Historical Society
- Los Angeles still had traffic back then, but instead of cars it was bustling with pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages.
Wikimedia Commons
- The Riverside Courthouse (built in 1903) pictured here in 1910.
Wikimedia Commons
- Sperry Flour Mill in Los Angeles circa 1910. The exact address of where this shot was taken is 1617 E. 7th Street. The building is still standing today, but it sure looks different. You can see for yourself if you view this address in Google Maps.
flickr/William Creswell
- The original Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. It’s pictured here in 1910 before the fire in 1920 that destroyed the building.
Wikimedia Commons
- Laguna Beach long before the mega mansions were built in this area.
flickr/Orange County Archives
- San Bernardino Courthouse on E Street as it looked way back then.
Wikimedia Commons
- Activity in Garden Grove on Ocean Avenue (now Garden Grove Boulevard) around 1914.
flickr/Orange County Archives
- Look at this crowd in Los Angeles in April 1910. This photograph was taken on Spring and 6th Street in front of the All Night and Day Bank long before ATMs or online banking. Wow, things sure have changed!
Wikimedia Commons
Can you believe how many things have changed over time? It makes you wonder what these major cities will look like in the next 100+ years. Flying cars anyone?! If you love looking at vintage photos of SoCal, you will enjoy my other posts that feature Southern California as it looked in 1930, 1950, 1960 and 1970. Hope you’ve enjoyed traveling back in time!
Wikimedia Commons
Orange County Archives
flickr/the upnorth memory guy
J Jakobsen/California Historical Society
flickr/William Creswell
flickr/Orange County Archives
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