THIS is a "Ritzy Mansion?"
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| 1948. 5667 W. Olympic Blvd., L.A., Herald Examiner Collection. |
I was browsing the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Archives the other day and found two photos detailing a gambling raid at a "ritzy mansion" at 5667 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles. This is right in our neighborhood! Granted, the homes in this area are nice and spacious, I wouldn't exactly call them "ritzy mansions," more like comfortable homes.
Ooooo....nefarious goings-on in our 'hood in 1948!
Here's the description for the photo above:
Vice squad officers staged a raid
and broke up a party at a ritzy mansion at 5667 West Olympic Boulevard.
Thirteen men and four women were arrested on gambling charges. Swank crowd was
playing for stakes "that could run as high as $150,000," police
reported. Equipment was valued at $15,000. Photo dated: April 30, 1948.
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| 1949. 5667 W. Olympic Blvd., L.A., Herald Examiner Collection. |
The next photo in this series is described as: Three
of four women placed under arrest file out of ritzy mansion at 5667 West Olympic
Boulevard where vice squad officers staged a raid and broke up the gambling
party. Thirteen men were also arrested in the raid.
Notice that the street address is painted VERY prominently over the front door of the home. Gambling patrons and police should have been able to locate this address easily!
Today, this once "ritzy" mansion, located on the north side of Olympic Boulevard, just east of Hauser Boulevard has been remodeled into a boring, blocky building. It is now home to the Ziegler Family Center of Hope, next door to the Chabad Residential Treatment Center. Ritzy no more. Sigh.
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| 2014. 5667 W. Olympic Blvd., L.A., Google Map Photo |
Labels: Architecture, Fashion, Home, Los Angeles, Vintage Photos
posted by Ellen Bloom @ 12:21 PM
4 Comments:
Yet another reason to love, love, love Ellen and her perky & punctual blog. These little history lessons told each week in your Vintage Friday posts are the best. This one in particular is terrific, right down to the duds on the perps. The guy in front looks like he's on his way to a rockabilly gig at the Redwood Inn.
I've often wished for a time machine, but only for the purpose of diving into Los Angeles history. Once again, you've proved that L.A. Is My Beat is the next best thing. Thanks, Ellen.
Love the porch tile on that ritzy mansion.
Thanks for the comments, FRIENDS! Thank you, Richard for your extremely kind sentiment!!! I am constantly amazed by our faboo City!
The media never changes, always hyping something in a way that it isn't. Could they have sold the story if they said, nice middle-class neighborhood home the site of a gambling den? sounds so much better to call it a Ritzy- mansion.
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