Lost LA Locations

Photos taken 50 years ago around Los Angeles. 

This collection of photos is not meant as a site for vintage or historical pictures of Los Angeles in the early 70s. There are no people in my photos for the most part and few of the locations are well known.

Most of the buildings in my photos are gone as far as I know. Some have been saved, restored, and even relocated. Many that still stand, especially downtown, have not survived due to neglect, homeless encampments and piles of trash. These photos are all free from what is now almost to wall-to-wall graffiti. 

Some shots were taken on movie location scouts, looking for unique exteriors, brilliant, beautiful detail, tile work and lost craftsmanship. Others are what are called N/D, meaning non-descriptive locations. There are shots of the once grand downtown theaters, elaborate facades and marquees, with stunning neon lights remembered in these photos. All of these photos were taken by me, Matt Golden, some early ones with Instamatic camera that I’ve been able to restore.

 All images © 2024 Matt Golden