Classics

We took a little drive yesterday to drop off some hazmat at the recycle center in San Pedro. We were also curious about the opening of the new 22nd Street Park. On the way through town, I stopped and took this photo of one of the prettiest buildings in San Pedro.

This is the San Pedro Municipal Building, built in 1927. Since it is a steel structure inside, the building survived the terrible earthquake that hit the area in 1933. It would have been a shame for this beautiful Gothic and Art Deco structure if it were demolished. We’re glad that it is still there.

From the LA OK website:

This is the San Pedro Municipal Building, also known as the “San Pedro City Hall”. Construction began in 1927 and completed the fall 1928. This seven-story Beaux Arts edifice has both Neoclassical and Baroque characteristics. It was built by the Charles W. Pettifer Construction Company under the supervision of Charles O. Britain of the City of Los Angeles Construction Dept. At 112 feet high, it is the tallest and one of the most recognizable structures in San Pedro. It is built of steel frame, brick and molded stone. The 7th floor housed an old jail that was nicknamed, “7th Heaven”. The 6th floor housed a beautiful wood paneled courtroom. A fire station occupied the ground floor basement, but was converted to a garage. The building has recently been renovated and retrofitted.

Bob photo shopped the image to get rid of the ugly communications towers on top of the building. Click on the image to enlarge.

We ‘celebrated my first day of retirement by running out and doing some chores that would have usually taken place on a weekend. On our way home, we spotted this old Chevrolet truck with some interesting customization. I doubled back and went up the side street so Verna could get this photo. Click to enlarge.

We were trying to figure out the weird hubcaps and the cryptic chrome letters on the hood. The red trim was kinda weird too. Nice truck, though.

As we were leaving the Phoenix Convention Center yesterday, I snapped this picture from the car window. This is now a muffler shop, but judging from the art-deco architecture style, it must have been a 1930’s era service station. Most people don’t remember a time when a service station attendant would pump your gas, check your oil and wash your windshield, all for about nineteen cents a gallon. Buildings like this popped up all along Old Route 66 and elsewhere in thriving southwestern cities and towns.

Click image to enlarge.