The Mystery of the Old Absinthe House Bar

Does the shakey first photo here mean you are still drunk from the weekend? No...you are just experiencing a genuine FauxD© 1950s shot of the Old Absinthe House Bar on Bourbon and Conti. Below is a previously posted shot of the same location:

How the same building looked in 2002, when it was the home of Mango Mango Daiquiris. I’m guessing they didn’t pack as much punch as Absinthe. Today, it appears it is known as SLUSH Frozen Cocktails; 4 stars, nine reviews. Maybe I should put it on my to-do list for the next trip to Nawlins. Or maybe not.

In looking up Old Absinthe House Bar online, all I can find is information about this completely different building on Bienville and Bourbon, which is Jean Lafitte’s Old Absinthe House.

Until somebody steps forward, I can’t tell you which one is older or what the difference was between them. Did the French Quarter really need two Absinthe Bars?

See more Bourbon Street photos at my main website.

Sherry for the New Year

The Sherry-Netherland Hotel was the tallest hotel/apartment building when it opened in 1927. Today’s first image shows MGM actress and singer Jane Powell standing in front of the hotel as the bellman hails her a cab. Judy Garland used the hotel for a little get together with reporters in 1945 to promote her dramatic film “The Clock.”

Here she is again at the Sherry with Sid Luft on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1952. She was in town to sing at Ann and Jack Warner’s party for their daughter Barbara, held at the St. Regis Hotel. The private New Year’s Eve party at The Sherry was given by “Friends of Charlie Cushing,” and guests included the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The Duke and Judy harmonized at the piano; that must have been something to witness in person!

Judy’s February 1964 stay at the Sherry was not quite as pleasant; she slipped in her three-room suite, resulting in a mild concussion which required a hospital check-up. Here’s a contemporary exterior view from 2016 that I shot during one of my visits to NYC:

Scrolling through ebay, I found a few vintage promotional items, like this ashray:

A matchbook:

This delightfully vintage advertisement. Don’t you love the pretentious alliteration? “Distinctive Domiciles for People of Distinction.”

See more Sherry-Netherland Hotel photos at my main website.

Welcome to Calico: The School House

Welcome to the Calico Ghost Town School House! A selfie was in order for my first visit here. It appears that the School House I saw is a replica of the original that stood on this location. It looks appropriately weathered.

Stepping back in time, here are two vintage views; the first shot shows how it looked back in March 1965:



…and February 1971. Not really all that different!



A different paint scheme; maybe they chose haint blue for the trim to keep the alleged hauntings down at the schoolhouse!




From the other side, I was able to capture the “Calico” emblazoned along the mountain. I wonder how often that needs to be refreshed?



When you get to the door, you are warned about the uneven ground conditions and are also rewarded by a vintage shot of the original schoolhouse:





Even though it was closed during my visit, that didn’t prevent me from getting an interior view through the dusty window:



Nothing vintage about the chalkboard!



See more Calico Ghost Town photos at my main website.

Vintage Mission Inn, Pt. 1

A few shots from 1951 showcasing one of my favorite historic (and extremely ecclectic) hotels, the Mission Inn located in Riverside, California. On a hot summer day like today, that pool sure looks good!

A vintage exterior shot; love that classic car. I know a few of my readers can ID it!

The entrance:

A blue classic convertible?!? Only thing missing for me is a rumble seat!

The entrance courtyard:

The same bell can still be found there:

See more vintage and contemporary Mission Inn photos at my main website.

Giving Thanks

While some may be spending time waging a #WarOnThanksgiving, here at Daveland I’m grateful for the opportunity to give thanks for all the blessings in my life. Regardless of the reasons of Thanksgiving’s origins, I believe it’s always good to stop and reflect and think about the good things that abound in one’s life, as it is often too easy to focus on those gray clouds. Today’s first photo shows Mom at the family Thanksgiving table, circa 1939. I love this shot; the family gathering, the bountiful harvest, and the quintessential Norman Rockwell image of the turkey being carved.

I am most grateful for my little ride-or-die partner: Willis.



Our long weekend walks:



The days he comes with me to work (and grateful for that privilege, too!):



His diligent protection of our home:





Yup. He’s pretty much the best!



What are you most thankful for this year?

See more Daveland photos at my main website.

Now and Then: The El Cortez in Vegas

OK, so it’s not a perfect match, but here are similar views of the El Cortez Hotel in Las Vegas from 1952 and 2018. Unfortunately, no vintage detail shots, as the photo is a bit blurry when you zoom in. Never heard of any of the “headliners” on the marquee.



The hotel itself looks very much the same on the exterior; it’s the neighborhood that has changed around it!



See more El Cortez Hotel photos at my main website.

Vintage Griffith Observatory

When I saw this vintage October 1957 slide available I looked at my Griffith Observatory page and realized, hey...this is a unique view taken from the top of the Observatory that I don't have. My completist gene kicked in and I bought it.

When I added it to my site, I realized I had this 1940s shot that I hadn't posted yet. Oops. This is what happens when you fall behind.



Still, this 1940s photo gives a nice view of a vintage bus...the 1957 one is unobstructed...so I guess there was still a reason to buy it.



Yeah...that's called justification.

And crazy.

One thing I KNOW I need to do is match this shot with a contemporary photo on my next visit.

See more Griffith Observatory photos at my main website.

Way-Back Wednesday: The Farmer's Daughter

Located across the street from the LA Farmer’s Market and CBS Studios, The Farmer’s Daughter Motel opened in the 1960s. This October 1963 image shows it before it became a “no-tell motel” in the 1970s. Looks like there’s a vacancy folks!



Today, it is the Farmer’s Daughter HOTEL, and has been completely remodeled into a hip (yet still very retro) place that weary travelers can rest their heads.



See more Farmer’s Daughter photos at my main website.

Sunset and Beverly, 1960

It almost sounds like a line from “Singin' in the Rain,” but no…I’m referring to this January 1960 shot of Sunset Boulevard and Beverly Drive with the Beverly Hills Hotel in the background. The vintage autos are the cherry on the sundae in this gorgeous photo! This guy looks like the cat that ate the canary; I wonder if he was staying at the hotel or just being a tourist?

Here’s my shot of the same location, circa June 2012:



And one from last November, where I showed a little more creativity with the angles:



See more Beverly Hills photos at my main website.

Savannah Union Station

It’s always hard for me to imagine that a building as grand as the Savannah Union Station is no more. Designed by architect Frank Pierce Milburn (Augusta Georgia’s Union Station designer as well), the 1902 Spanish Renaissance and Elizabethan structure was demolished in 1962 to make room for Interstate 16’s exit ramps. Oh the indignity. At least there are some images of the grandeur that used to be.

Here’s an interior shot of the building’s octagonal rotunda, which served as the general waiting room.



A few detailed views of what appears to be a fountain:



…and the building’s newsstand:



Today, a gas station occupies the land. Ugh.

See more Savannah, Georgia photos at my main website.