Broadway
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| Since this postcard (right) was produced, Broadway has changed in social, rather than physical, terms. The Anglo shopping/entertainment street of old had trolleys, department stores, and many specialty shops, medical and financial services and other offices occupied uppers floors of the buildings. Today's Broadway is dominated by first floor retail businesses primarily for Spanish-speaking customers many of whom arrive by bus. Though for many years upper floors were vacant, some are being converted into lofts and offices. Nevertheless, many empty, deteriorating buildings remain.
Broadway is a "must-see" in Los Angeles. For an interpretation of the evolution of Broadway see: Curtis C. Roseman and J. Diego Vigil's article, "From Broadway to 'Latinoway:' The Reoccupation of a Gringo Retail Landscape." Places Vol. 8(3) 1993: 20-29. The photos below show a Broadway building being renovated, one sorely in need of revitalization (note cinderblocks covering its windows), and highlight of Broadway, a mural at 351 Broadway by Johanna Poethig. PHOTOS: G. DeVerteuil; J. Mapes |
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| Broadway is the home to twelve historic theatres. The oldest and newest of these are shown above. The Cameo (right) dates back to 1910 (as does The Arcade), and the Roxie (left), with its Art Deco architecture, opened in 1932 as the last of the great downtown movie houses. | |||||||||||