The 3rd Annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar

Larry Harnisch

Los Angeles Times

Anyone who has researched Los Angeles history knows that the material is spread all over the city and not always in the most logical spot. For example, items from the early history of USC’s medical school are housed at UCLA. The archives bazaar, sponsored by L.A. as Subject, is an annual gathering to show off Los Angeles history and provide a clearinghouse for researchers, whether they are working on a scholarly project or family genealogy.

The list of exhibitors shows the amazing diversity of the city’s many archives and libraries. Of course, the better-known collections, like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Autry National Center, Los Angeles City Archives, Los Angeles Public Library, and UCLA Special Collections, will be represented.

But that’s only the beginning. Consider these groups, which will also be taking part:

Boyle Heights Historical Society; Chinese Historical Society of Southern California; Filipino-American Library; Japanese American National Museum; LA84 Foundation–Sports Library; Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum; One National Gay and Lesbian Archives; Orange Empire Railway Museum; Society of California Archivists and the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Library and Archive.

The bazaar will also include screenings of films, presentations on genealogy, teaching sessions and  book signings by William Estrada, “The Los Angeles Plaza”; Jonathan Gold, “Counter Intelligence”; Carina Monica Montoya, “Filipinos in Hollywood”; Icy Smith, “Mei Ling in China City”; Jervey Tervalon, “Lita: All the Trouble You Need Understand This”; and J. Michael Walker, “All the Saints of the City of Angels.” 

The Los Angeles Archives Bazaar will be held at USC Davidson Conference Center, 3415 S. Figueroa (at Jefferson Boulevard). Free. Parking at USC Parking Structure D is $8. Visitors can get free or discounted admissions to museums in Exposition Park.

For more information (PDF): USC-Archives-Bazaar-2008

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‘Changeling’ revisits a crime that riveted L.A.

The Walter Collins case would end up becoming the O.J. Simpson drama of its day.

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By Rachel Abramowitz
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

October 18, 2008

ONE OF the most notorious crimes of Jazz Age Los Angeles began quietly enough with a lost boy.

But the Walter Collins case would end up becoming the O.J. Simpson drama of its day, a horrifying crime that inspired a media frenzy and captivated the Southland. What started as the real-life tale of a missing child would eventually take on a much larger significance in the then-burgeoning city. Though the details may have faded into the miasma of time, its commentary on corruption and abuse of authority, on female empowerment and on the ultimate price of justice, continues to echo throughout the canyons of L.A.’s collective memory.

In the middle of it all was Christine Collins, Walter’s mother, a victim turned unlikely heroine.   (Click on ‘Continue Reading’ for more)

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Continue Reading »

OLYMPICS SPECIAL

1932 LOS ANGELES OLYMPICS

By Allan R. Ellenberger

With tonight’s opening ceremonies of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad being held in Beijing, China, I thought a look at the 1932 Olympics would be appropriate. The games of the Tenth Olympiad which were held in Los Angeles from July 30 to August 14, 1932, contributed the greatest series of athletic events ever held in the United States up to that time. Here is a look at some of the highlights.

Aerial view of Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony (IOC/Olympic Museum collections)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1932 OLYMPICS INCLUDE:

• The crowds set records, starting with the 100,000 people who attended the Opening Ceremony
• The 1932 Olympics were the first to last 16 days. The duration of the Olympics has remained between 15 and 18 days ever since. Between 1900 and 1928, no Summer Olympics was shorter than 79 days.
• At the victory ceremonies, the medal winners stood on a victory stand and the flag of the winner was raised.
• Official automatic timing was introduced for the track events, as was the photo-finish camera.
• 14-year-old Japanese Kusuo Kitamura won the 1,500m freestyle to become the youngest male in any sport ever to earn a gold medal in an individual event.
• Ivar Johansson, a Swedish policeman, won gold medals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Another Swedish wrestler, Carl Westergren, won his third Greco-Roman title, each in a different division.
• In the spirit of fair play, British fencer Judy Guinness gave up her hopes for a gold medal when she pointed out to officials that they had not noticed two touches scored against her by her final opponent, Ellen Preis of Austria.

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PICTORIAL EVENTS

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 ABOVE: Argentina’s Juan Carlos Zabala, winner of the marathon, ahead on the first lap of the track (IOC/Olympic Museum collections )

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ABOVE: Los Angeles 1932, Games of the X Olympiad. Personalities and competitors in transit: (L to R) Duke KAHANAMOKU, Miss Earhart PUTMAN, Paavo NURMI, Douglas FAIRBANKS and Arthur JONATH. (Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections)

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ABOVE: Los Angeles, August 1932. General view of the Olympic Stadium during an equestrian event at the Games of the X Olympiad.  (Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections)

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