Kevin Roderick has written a beautiful and fascinating illustrated history book called “Wilshire Boulevard: Grand Concourse of Los Angeles” J. Eric Lynxwiler did a tremendous job researching.

The book shows the development and evolution of the Boulevard as it progressed from bean fields into mansions, apartment houses, fine stores, and elegant architecture. From the 1920’s until well into the 1960’s, it was considered the best address in Los Angeles. It is enough to bring you to tears to see the Ambassador Hotel in its heyday astride the litter free sidewalks.

Crazy in a Los Angeles way, with its hat shaped Brown Derby Restaurant and filling stations with costumed attendants waiting next to the pumps, Wilshire also erected religious buildings of great dignity, lush parks and man made lakes. There are archival photos of elegant and unique homes, neon signs and even… lampposts… that created a sense of propriety and maturity in the young metropolis.

Roderick’s book reminds us of what we have lost, and how poorly we measure up to those visionaries who came before us in building a beautiful city.

NOTE: the above “Wilshire Boulevard” photos are from www.yesterdayla.com.