Downtown Los Angeles smog, 1965
In his 2-seat, convertible MG MGA roadster, this driver took no chances with L.A.’s notorious ozone pollution.
Regardless of the photochemical reactions in the lower atmosphere, this driver was at 1st and San Pedro Street in downtown Los Angeles. In the rearview mirror are City Hall and City Hall South.
Los Angeles battled particularly severe smog in 1965, with three periods of three consecutive days of alerts — sometime referred to as a thick blanket of greyish, greenish haze. One such alert that October topped out at .65 ppm and lasted almost three and a half hours. Officials urged drivers to leave their vehicles and carpool.
Newspapers reported there were 4 million cars in the country burning eight million gallons of gasoline a day, resulting in 13,000 tons of pollutants wafting its way into the city on a daily basis.
Actually, Los Angeles County had been aware of smog effects for years. In 1947, a smog law was introduced; Chapter 2 of Division 20 of the State Health and Safety Code, and introduced the Air Pollution Control Board.
By 1949, the situation was so dire, “smog gas” was responsible for killing crops — probably not a problem if you hated spinach. In 1955 — when the first local air pollution control district monitored pollutants, there were fifteen first-stage alerts — a direct warning to smog-producing industries to shut down if the situation worsened.
On the roads, California’s automobiles came under scrutiny with bills passed requiring used vehicles to install crankcase anti-smog devices. In 1960, California Governor Pat Brown signed the first law on mandatory control of vehicle exhaust (Assembly Bill 17).
Every vehicle in smog-affected areas in the state would have to be equipped with exhaust control within three years of official certification of such devices.
By 1962, Chrysler was testing a carburetor kit; engine modification involving changes in the carburetor timer and ignition system. While those kits were designed for Chrysler, the principle could be adapted by other manufacturers. The proposed cost of the modification on new cars was put around ten dollars. Of course, the new device raised the ire of some veteran motorists who complained of older vehicles malfunctioning as a result. Alleviating some of the crankcase confusion, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) rescinded the need for most users to sign affidavits of smog compliance.
Auto manufacturers were taking it seriously. To fight the pollution problem, the General Motors Research Laboratory in Michigan installed a smog chamber where test subjects were confronted with artificially-manufactured smog testing atmospheric textures that caused eye irritation.
The company produced a short movie called Air Pollution and the Role of the Automobile, which explained the air injection reactor system that would be installed on virtually all GM cars and trucks for 1966.
Eventually every car in the state must have them installed if we are to reduce smog concentrations in our urban areas.
Governor Pat Brown, 1965.
Emissions control got a boost around 1975 with stringent EPA requirements. Auto manufacturer General Motors (makers of Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac) battled hydrocarbons and equipped their vehicles with a catalytic converter.
The device was referred to in Detroit as the “Muskie Muffler”; a reference to the U.S. Senator from Maine who introduced the 1970 Clean Air Act.
It was noted that if a gas station attendant was caught selling a customer leaded gasoline for a catalyst-equipped vehicle, they could be fined $10,000 (or spend 24 hours in a gas station restroom).
Downtown Los Angeles, 1966
The two most recognizable structures in this photograph are the 1965 Department of Water and Power Building (A. C. Martin & Associates) and just behind, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Among the haze to the right are two buildings that saw the wrecking ball; the Richfield Oil Building, at Fifth and Flower (demolished in 1969), and the Statler Hilton. In the distance appears to be the 1961 Occidental Tower Building (William Pereira and Gin Wong).
Eaton’s Restaurant, Wilshire Blvd.
Breaking ground with an oversized knife and fork (not to scale) are the folks behind the new Eaton’s Rancho in the San Fernando Valley. Owned by Charles Eaton (1893-1971), construction began in 1938 on the corner of Ventura Blvd., and Laurel Canyon.
Known for its poultry dishes, Eaton’s had two locations for chicken-craving diners in Beverly Hills, as well as a steakhouse.
Modeled after early-California Hacienda style, Eaton’s Rancho in Studio City was close to Republic Studios and frequented by the stars. The menu included a “Three Mesquiteer”; a three-decker hamburger for 35 cents.
The Studio City location survived until the mid-1950s and various eateries popped up on the site; The Falcon, Country Manor Restaurant, The Tahitian, and McDonald’s in the mid-1970s.
Self Service Gas Station
A sign of the atomic age, self-service gas stations in the Southland cropped up in the late-1940s. No less than LIFE magazine famously covered the Gilmore Serve Yourself Gas Station at 3rd and Fairfax.
Aside from the cheaper gas, one motivating factor in filing your own tank was the curbside appeal of rollerskating attendants in form-fitting slacks and tight sweaters. Their sole job was to unlock the pump and take the money.
One prominent leader in the field was Bernard B. Roth of World Oil Corporation. Starting with a gas station at Florence and Normandie Avenue, Roth lowered gas prices and ditched the attendants. Regional ads touted their simple business plan, “We don’t wash your windows. We just sell you gas for less.”
Despite their growing popularity, opposition was swift. Local authorities cited the fire dangers of untrained personnel handling gasoline, and in 1948, the Los Angeles City Council approved a measure to outlaw self-service gas stations. Some cities later reversed the policy.
Green Mill Gardens
Opened in 1921, the Green Mill Gardens in Culver City was billed as a dancing and dining institution. It was apparently the first café in the world to have its own airplane landing field.
Located at Washington and National Blvd, the boozy hangout burned to the ground in 1922 but was quickly rebuilt. The previous English motif was replaced with 'Oriental', at a cost of approximately $175K.
But it seems the distinctive den for fox-trotting swells lasted until 1923 — no doubt subjected to prohibition and raids.
The proprietors also launched the Ship Café in Venice.
Sadly, it was reported in 1926 that owner and former boxer Morrie Rauch was hit by an automobile whilst crossing the street on his way to an automobile accident. The Boston native was 47 years old