Episode #90: Guest Books & Grid Lock

You Can't Eat the Sunshine

Join us this week as we visit with amateur historian Dennis Harbach, who has recently completed the herculean project of identifying almost all the names inscribed in the guestbook at Charles Fletcher Lummis’ historic Highland Park home, El Alisal. We’ll also talk with Jeremiah Alexrod, professor of history at Occidental College, and author of “Inventing Autopia: Dreams and Visions of the Modern Metropolis in Jazz Age Los Angeles,” about the past century of automative annoyance.

We’ll also discuss the ongoing restoration of a Route 66 gas station in Rancho Cucamonga, concerns about the preservation of the Art Deco Warner Theater in Huntington Park, Loretta Ayeroff’s photographs in the series “California Ruins and Historic Sites,” a lawsuit accused the California prison system of demolition-by-neglect of the Lake Norconian Supreme resort in Norco and a new Los Angeles ordinance that will abolish secretive demolitions of historic structures. All this and more as Kim & Richard usher in the week of December 1st.

Photo: Hill Street north from the Pacific Electric depot between 4th & 5th in 1920

Closely Watched Trains & URLs for Podcast

About Dennis Harbach’s work with the El Alisal housebook. (To purchase a copy of his two-volume book about the housebook, call El Alisal at 323-222-0546.)

An update on the status of the Lummis House.

Professor Jeremiah B.C. Axelrod’s college website.

Jeremiah’s book, Inventing Autopia: Dreams and Visions of the Modern Metropolis in Jazz Age Los Angeles.

The Cultural Heritage Commission reconsiders the landmark status of the Bartlett House (PDF link).

Route 66 gas station restoration in Rancho Cucamonga continues.

Warner Theatre Huntington Park info page, and new photos by Hunter Kerhart.

Loretta Ayeroff’s “California Ruins and Historic Sites” webpage.

Suit accuses state of neglecting Lake Norconian Club.

Los Angeles making it illegal to secretly demolish old buildings.

January's arson-themed forensic science seminar.

Listen to Episode #90!

https://esotouric.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/yces-90.mp3