37 Amazing Photos of Los Angeles in the Early 20th Century

By 1900, the population of Los Angeles had grown to more than 102,000, putting pressure on the city’s water supply. The completion of the Los Angeles Aqueduct in 1913, under the supervision of William Mulholland, ensured the continued growth of the city. Because of clauses in the city’s charter that prevented the City of Los Angeles from selling or providing water from the aqueduct to any area outside its borders, many adjacent cities and communities felt compelled to join Los Angeles.

Los Angeles from between the 1900s and 1930s

In 1910, Hollywood merged into Los Angeles, with 10 movie companies already operating in the city at the time.

By 1921, more than 80 percent of the world’s film industry was concentrated in L.A. The money generated by the industry kept the city insulated from much of the economic loss suffered by the rest of the country during the Great Depression.

By 1930, the population surpassed one million. In 1932, the city hosted the Summer Olympics. These amazing vintage photos captured street scenes of Los Angeles from between the 1900s and 1930s.

Florence Hotel, Los Angeles, circa 1900s

Hotel Grey, Los Angeles, circa 1900s

Mason Opera House (built 1903 and demolished in 1956), Los Angeles, circa 1900s

Spring Street, Los Angeles, circa 1900s

Hill Street Tunnel, Los Angeles, circa 1910s

Lankershim Hotel, Broadway and Spring Street, Los Angeles, circa 1910s

Main Street, Los Angeles, circa 1910s

Occidental Hotel, 430 Hill Street, Los Angeles, circa 1910s

Spring Street, Los Angeles, circa 1910s

Spring Street, Los Angeles, circa 1910s

The Van Nuys Building located at 7th and Spring Street, Los Angeles, circa 1910s

400 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

800 South Broadway, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

California Reserve Building, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

Hamburger People Store at Eighth Street and Broadway, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

Hayward Hotel, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

Hill Street and Twelfth Street, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

Hill Street, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

J. W. Robinson Department Store, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

Main Street, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

Spring Street and Seventh Street, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

Spring Street and Sixth Street, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

The Alexandria Hotel located at 501 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, circa 1920s

123 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

Amestoy Building, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

Broadway Department Store, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

Hill Street and Fourth Street, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

Hill Street and Second Street, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

Hill Street, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

Hill Street, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

Hotel Moore Cliff, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

James Oviatt Building, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

Los Angeles Theatre, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

South Broadway, Los Angeles, circa 1930s

Spring Street, Los Angeles, circa 1930s