July 29, 2004

•  

  
  

  Small Town America In Lost Angeles

  
  

  

  
  

  Where has America Gone? Can the essence of Small Town America be found in the midst of the rather large “big city” of Los Angeles, California? When I was young, I grew up in El Monte, California, then (the early 60s) a rather sleepy little town with friendly neighbors and a distinct “Main Street”. That was a long time ago, in a different America. Wasn’t it?

  
  

  

  
  

  We live in the 21st Centrury now. We exist at a speeded up pace of a life where everyone has cellphones, most people shop in malls, and some on the internet. A lot of folks have, besides their cellphones, pdas, notebook computers, and ipods. The electronic revolution has happened in America, echoing other parts of the world. Because of the flood of information, each and every one of us seems to crave more instant satisfaction, and the always well remembered but rapidly disappearing slower pace of life in this country is something to be treasured. Small Town America. Does it exist anymore? Is there a Main Street in the Los Angeles area in real life that looks anything remotely like Main Street in Disneyland, USA? (located in Orange County in Anaheim)  On Easter Sunday earlier this year, I was aching to take some pictures with my then rather new Sony DCR-PC105 digital video/still cam, and I didn’t want to drive a long way, since gas prices had just then skyrocketed to a $2.30 cent figure a gallon, and I was still reeling from the shock. (In the “small town America of my youth (in L.A. El Monte, to be specific) ” gas only cost 39cents a gallon.) I drove around town, and ended up in “old downtown” Torrance. I snapped some photos, some of which I am presenting on this post.

  
  

  

  
  

  Looking over these photos more closely. (The complete set is in my Webshots Folder: “Torrance and Lomita Shots“  ) I noticed that I was essentially looking for shots of older buildings, and aiming for a nostalgic look. This was unintentional. I’m merely “framing” what I hope will come out as nicely framed shots, or attempting to get some image I can use in a future composite. As I took photos, a theme had emerged, but I didn’t think about it at the time.

  
  

  

  
  

  I know a lot of “Main Streets” that have been allowed to fall into disarray, and some are even enjoying a resurgence. In a Los Angeles Times article about Bellflower in today’s “California” section, the reporter mentioned the efforts of the city council to beautify the storefronts on Bellflower Blvd, the Main Street going through the center of town, by removing the steel and concrete facades on the buildings to get to the stone and wood beneath, and in doing so, “retrospect” the town. I used to live in Bellflower with Pat, and when we were ”estranged” after she confessed she was “actively” cheating on me, and I moved into the garage, I spent many long afternoons walking along Bellflower Blvd, marveling at how something so evocative of “small town America” had fallen on such hard times because of big box stores and malls. (and if you don’t know it, Walmart has not gained a major foothold in the L.A. area yet, they’re “just another retailer” and as an old L.A. retailer, I can tell you that stores come and go very quickly here.)  

  
  

  

  
  

  Even before I read this article today, I have been thinking after going over these photos, (some of which are rather good, if I do say so myself) of taking more picures evocative of “Small Town America in Los Angeles.” Since going to Court in San Pedro, a sleepy little harbor front town. (Quite rowdy in the 30s and 40s, but the Navy base is gone.) I have been walking around the downtown area, and am seeing a lot of interesting shots amongst the old buildings. (I’m taking my camera in with me on Monday) I’ve got an idea for a webphoto album of just “Small Town America in L.A.” photos, spread amongst some of the older Main Streets. I actually lined up about 8-10 potentials just walking down 6th Street towards Pacific in Pedro yesterday.

  
  

  

  
  

  The shot above is of the old El Monte Theater, which is completely vacant. The building is just a shell, and the marquee is gone, as is the box office. The only thing remaining is the restored sign, which makes me cry. This is the theater I attended during Summer Saturday Matinees with my brother, sister, and the neighbor boy. It’s where I first saw “Jack the Giant Killer” and  ”Jason and the Argonauts” (not to mention at least two Elvis pictures every year). I am on the lookout for the remnants of my youth in the hills and valleys of the Los Angeles basin. My expected targets will take me through memory lane (and hopefully I won’t be shot if I drive down the wrong street, like I was afraid I almost did in El Monte, which did not really resemble the town as it was in my youth at all, but I’m looking for the hidden canvas beneath the “modern facade”)

  
  

  Oh  well, that’s just one of the ideas I have kicking around for the Webshots Gallery.

  
  

   

  • 8:46 pm
  • 5 Comments