Protecting Americans

Even before I was first able to experience Angels Flight Railway for myself last year, I was semi-obsessed with this little transportation gem in downtown Los Angeles. Recently, I acquired this you-are-there image from August 1965, showing passengers enjoying their journey aboard the little orange railway that could. One thing struck me though; there was no door or rail keeping passengers from falling out the back. I had never noticed this detail before in my other vintage images.

Today, not only are there doors to prevent people from falling/jumping out mid-ride, but there’s a sign telling passengers to “wait inside until car stops.”

What has happened to society in the last sixty years to make it necessary to protect them from dangers that would seem like common sense? Is this kind of signage and protection used in other countries, or is being stupid something Americans have cornered the market on?

Yes, I’m shaking my head.

See more Angels Flight Railway photos at my main website.

2020: A Year in Review, Pt. 1

2020 is a year that will go down in history as…well, yet to be determined how it will be classified, but for many it was not a year for good memories. I have been very fortunate in that the pandemic allowed me more time with Willis, continued employment, and the ability to travel via automobile. My number one goal was to improve my health, which meant better eating and a regular exercise regimen. I also made it a goal to get back to the canvas and start painting, which I did, too. This post is a quick summary of the highlights, which started with the virgin trip to Joshua Tree State Park. I was in the Palm Springs area for the wedding of my very good friends Kamy and Amanda. It was definitely one of the most beautiful and touching ceremonies I have been invited to. The Parker Hotel in Palm Springs was the perfect backdrop.

The ready-made family of Amanda, Famous the dog, and Kamy:

The one (and only) plane trip of the year was to Austin, Texas to visit my brother and his family.

I allowed myself one night at the South Congress Hotel, so that I could get some shots of an area I hadn’t really explored before.

The hotel was an excellent choice; hip, clean, and the perfect location.

Neon was in abundance on Congress Avenue:

Back in California, I had the honor of doing the “farewell” shoot of the Dearly Departed Museum in Hollywood before everything was packed up and put in storage.

I was able to get up close and personal with the Jayne Mansfield death car:

The Shirley Temple that Shirley Temple refused!

My one and only “live” concert for 2020 was to hear The Doo Wop Project when they performed in Palm Springs:

It’s always a treat to hear these guys in concert.

2020 marked my first trip to the Anzo Borrego desert:

The pandemic allowed me to capture these shots of an empty Balboa Park at sunset:

There were still reasons to celebrate in 2020; I was hired to do a graduation shoot at San Diego State University:

SO many firsts for me in 2020, including lunch at the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Fallbrook:

…and my first trip on the Angels Flight Railway:

While in Laguna Beach for a photo shoot, I captured this. Yes, the anger that was building in this nation was palpable.

A photo shot took me back to Long Beach, which is so close to where I live but a place I rarely spend time in.

I dined twice at the Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island:

I decided to wear a vintage Hawaiian shirt that belonged to my dad. I had worn it frequently during my college years, and it still fit!

I joined Eric Lynxwiler (neon aficionado and LA history/Knott’s Berry Farm expert) and Darin for the first dining experience at Bali Hai:

…and with the group of guys I have been doing my outdoor workouts with. We definitely had earned our dinner (and drinks)!

Stay tuned for Part 2 on Monday! See more Daveland photos at my main website.

The Only Way To Fly

One of my bucket list items was to ride the Angels Flight Railway in Los Angeles. I stumbled upon it through my vintage slide collecting; a few shots happened to be interspersed with some Disneyland slides I had purchased back in 2007. The rabbit hole began there. The first time I saw it in person was 2008, when it had been shuttered for almost seven years due to the accidental death of a passenger.



Originally called The Los Angeles Incline Railway, it ran northwest from the west corner of Third and Hill Streets. The entire railway was moved to its current location in 1969. The above shot from 1953 and the 1962 shot below show the original location.



A detailed view:



Thanks to a “bit part” in the blockbuster hit “La La Land,” Angels Flight got a nice little publicity push and reopened in 2017. At the time this scene was shot, the attraction was not open to the public. Oops. Tiny slap on the wrist for that one; the end justifies the means.



As serendipity would have it, I was wandering nearby doing a photo shoot recently and a few employees happened to be on site. They asked if I wanted to take a roundtrip. Duh.



While it may not be Space Mountain, it is just one of those little experiences that make downtown Los Angeles special. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip; well worth the wait!



See more Angels Flight photos at my main website.

Angels Flight Today

On my most recent trip to Los Angeles, I made a stop at Angels Flight Railway, the little Railway that could (but not quite yet).



The two cars are currently frozen in time, waiting for the City to come up with a feasible solution that allows them to operate safely.



Such a beautiful little treasure here, it really is sad that they just sit here.



The ticket booth up top.



A shot of the inner workings:





Don't get dizzy!



As I walked back down to the bottom, a junkie sitting off to the side asked me to help him shoot up. That was a first. I just kept walking. As if things couldn't get more bizarre, I saw this:



Somehow, the City of Los Angeles has managed to connect the dots between Condors and Angel's Flight.



More Angel's Flight Railway photos (vintage AND current) at my main website.

Back to Angels Flight, 1953

Another vintage shot of the Angel's Flight Railway, circa July 23, 1953. The photographer was Paul Kutta from West Chester, Pennsylvania (I love it when I have details about these vintage images!).

I believe Ferguson's Cafe is long gone, as is this type of traffic policeman. Check out the ballet-pose he is doing with his feet. Amazing!



More Angel's Flight Railway photos at my main website.

The Little Railway That Could

Some things just never seem to get a break, and Angels Flight Railway in Downtown Los Angeles is one of those. Operating from 1901-1969, it was dismantled when it closed, reopened a few blocks over in 1996, closed after a death in 2001, reopened in 2010, closed and reopened in 2011, and then ceased again in 2013 after a minor accident. Pending design and structural repairs, it has been a victim of graffiti and the ravages of time. Today's post shows a November 1962 shot of the little Railway with a huge fan following.



A closeup of the Los Angeles Times newsstand. This guy looks bored; if only the Kardashians were around to make the news exciting.



For more vintage and (semi) current photos of Angels Flight go to my main website.