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Martin Turnbull

@martinturnbull.bsky.social
629 followers 158 following 800 posts

Author of a series of historical novels set in and around the real-life Garden of Allah Hotel on Sunset Blvd from 1927 to 1959, as well as other novels set during Hollywood's golden era.

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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 9h
From the “Slice of Everyday Life” file comes this view looking north up Main St. from 8th St, #DTLA, January 1938. Hotel Cecil is still around, but with an infamous reputation these days. It’s been home to at least two serial killers (including the Night Stalker in the mid-80s.) (now photo Jan 2022)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
What strikes me about this circa 1950s shot of #DTLA is how the streets bracketing City Hall—Spring St and Main St—curve around before straightening out and running parallel with the other north/south streets. That’s no longer the case these days.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
These days, LA International Airport is a roiling torrent of cars jostling for curb space and passengers wrestling with luggage. But in this 1961 aerial shot its expansion into the jet age is only just starting. I can only tell it’s LAX from the flying-saucer-like Theme Building. Now photo Jan 2024.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Looking west across Figueroa St from south of 5th St #DTLA. I like the contrast between the two quaintly modest 3-story hotels on Figueroa with the magnificence of the Art Deco Richfield Tower on Flower St that was still a distinct part of the LA skyline in 1950. ("now" photo June 2024)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Looking west on 3rd St toward Hill St, #DTLA 1901. We can see the newly opened 3rd Street Tunnel. (March 1901) This photo is so early that Angels Flight funicular hadn’t been built yet—but it wouldn’t be long. Angels Flight opened on December 31, 1901. ("now" photo October 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Tower Motors at 600 E. Colorado St, Glendale, CA. With its sharply angled roofline and floor-to-ceiling windows, it was an eye-catching presentation of the latest models of Lincoln, Mercury, and Plymouth vehicles - esp especially at night. ("now" photo November 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
In this night shot we're looking west along Ventura Blvd from around near Laurel Canyon Blvd , Studio City in 1962. The local merchants wanted to draw evening crowds to their shopping area - and this stretch of Ventura Blvd is packed door-to-door with stores and cafes. ("now" photo May 2024)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Aerial view of the men’s Olympic village in the View Park–Windsor Hills area of Los Angeles, 1932. It was the first time a village was constructed for the Games, but the bungalows we can see in this photo were for the men only. The women were housed at Chapman Park Hotel. ("now" photo February 2024)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
WOOHOO! Fist pumps and big jumps! I can now reveal the cover and title of my next novel, due out in January. You can read about about it on my website: tinyurl.com/ct6ef9kk
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
We’re looking east along Hollywood Blvd from Cahuenga Blvd. The most striking feature in this scene is the offices of Dr. Sidney Green with its dramatically curved tower. We can date this photo to 1938 because of the banner advertising WB’s “The Adventures of Robin Hood”. ("now" photo December 2024)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Red Car heading thru Echo Park. The domed building is the Angelus Temple, home to Aimee Semple McPherson. The streetcar was on the Glendale-Burbank Line, whose last run was on June 18, 1955, and this photo was taken in 1955, so it captured a soon-to-be-extinct service. ("now" photo Oct 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
From the “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore” file comes this jewel with its towers, crest of arms, bas relief panels. At 1244 S. Lake St, south of MacArthur Park, this photo is from 1926, so the people living here would have referred to it as Westlake Park. ("now" photo August 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
New-View cinema at 6656 Hollywood Blvd, circa early 1970s. Back then the New-View was bracketed by the Larry Edmunds bookstore and the Hollywood Barbecue Restaurant Delicatessen. I don’t know what make of car the white one is, but parallel parking it must have been a challenge. (now photo Sept 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Redondo Hotel as seen from the Redondo pier, Redondo Beach, CA, circa 1890s. And quite the grand affair it was with 225 rooms on 22 acres of oceanfront real estate, a railway track, and a pier, it was one of Southern California’s major tourist and development draws.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Motorist happily poses for a photo at the western end of the Colorado Street Bridge, Pasadena, California, 1918, five years after the bridge opened. These days we cross the Arroyo Seco on the 210 freeway, but this is a much more scenic way to go, if you ask me. ("now" photo October 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Night view looking west over Santa Ana Fwy (the 101) from the “Chinese Wall” at Union Station, #DTLA, 1962. Apparently “the Chinese Wall” was a nickname for the retaining wall along Aliso St. I assume a nod to how Union Station was built where LA’s original Chinatown had been. (now photo Feb 2019)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Melrose Hotel and its neighbor, Hotel Richelieu were a pair of oft-photographed rooming house hotels on Grand Ave #DTLA. Being so spacious — the Melrose had 35 rooms – they could accommodate a large number of people. This photo is from 1920, when they were still in good shape. ("now" photo Oct 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
We're looking easy along Hollywood Blvd from Grauman's Chinese circa 1950s: Paramount Theatre (now El Capitan, Barker Bros. furniture, Coffee Dan’s, Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood Inn, Masonic Temple, Seven Seas which poured water on a faux roof to give the effect of tropical rain. Now photo Aug 2024
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Wait, what #1 - Bandleader Xavier Cugat had a Mexican restaurant? Wait, what #2 - Next to the Alan Hale Jr's Lobster Barrel? Wait, what #3 - They advertised together? Wait, what #4 - Charo performed at Casa Cugat because she was married to Xavier Cugat? (Source Vintage LA on FB)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Ford Model T coupe parked out front of the William Fox movie studio on Western Ave near Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, circa late 1920s. I do wonder what that white boxy structure in the background is. Ideas or suggestions, anyone? ("now" photo December 2024)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Model T Ford in front of a Joshua tree in Death Valley as part of a Sierra Club outing, April 1925. At least he wasn't a lone motorist in this soon-to-be-a-jalopy in the middle of Death Valley mid-1920s when gas stations were fewer and farther between in this part of California.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Billy Graham (& Ruth) in the Tournament of Roses Parade, Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, January 1, 1971. Apparently, he was the first clergyman selected to lead the New Year’s Day event. Behind them is a restaurant called The Chef’s Broiler, which was on Colorado Blvd at El Molino Ave (now photo Oct 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
If you've been wondering how my hibiscus from the Garden of Allah hotel is faring, she has been rather dormant of late. But she just needed more water than I'd been giving her, and suddenly she bloomed with lots of vibrant leaves, and then popped open a bright yellow flower.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Whoa! The original Angels Flight Pavilion on Olive St was quite elaborate with five arches. This photo is dated 1910, so Angels Flight had been operating for less than ten years. We can also see a woman on the observation platform taking in what must have been a glorious view. ("now" photo 2019)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Disneyland's Skyway ride put you in a little metal cage and treated you to a 60-foot view. We can glimpse the pirate ship. This photo is from 1961 when it was known as the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship (because of the sponsor) put that name lacks the threat of Captain Hook.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
We're looking north up the western side of Vine St from Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, circa early 1950s with many landmark signs: Wallichs Music City, ABC, Santa Fe Railway, Plaza Hotel, the huge Miller beer sign atop the Taft, United Airlines, and the Brown Derby restaurant.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Roman Warren flies his bi-plane under the Mission Bridge, Riverside, CA, June 13, 1926. There isn't a lot of wiggle room between the river and the bridge! Note the pattern along the top of the bridge—the mission bell with a double cross, aka the Raincross, Riverside’s emblem. (now photo April 2023)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I don’t have a lot of information on this photo of a hot-air balloon taking off (or landing?) somewhere in Pasadena in 1901. It would still have been a rather dicey proposition back then and probably only appealed to the most foolhardy of risk-takers. But imagine the scenery!
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Life magazine shot taken on the set of Paramount’s “The Big Broadcast of 1938” featuring a lifeboat from the fictional SS Gigantic ocean liner, circa late 1937. Photos like this remind us “civilians” that filming a movie isn’t as glamorous as it’s cracked up to be.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Union Pacific Los Angeles Limited train is welcomed in Riverside, California as part of the “Greet 'Em with Oranges” tourism campaign, January 30, 1926. Local residents dressed in Spanish costumes to greet arrivals with baskets of oranges! ("now" photo September 2024)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I’m not sure who in the '30s decided LA needed a chain of pig-shaped cafes, but apparently they were on to something because at one point there was at least 8 of them. And to gussy it up, we can see in this photo they even had neon around the snout and eyes. (Note the eyelashes!)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This circa 1906 postcard shows Redondo Wharf #2 which stood from 1896 to 1920 south of where the Redondo Beach Pier is today. Those railroad tracks would, I assume, have been for the cargo, but would also have saved the passengers from having to haul their heavy traveling trucks.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Kids TV show “Time for Beany” (1949–1955) was about the adventures of a boy named Beanie and his pal the seasick sea serpent, Cecil. Turns out, there was also a Beany themed drive-in located on PCH at Ximeno Ave in Long Beach. This photo is from 1952, so right at the height of the show’s popularity.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The Carthay Circle Theatre at 6316 San Vicente Blvd, circa 1927, a year after it opened. Urban development was underway, but with swaths of empty land still untouched. It also means that driving home, moviegoers could have passed the oil wells along Wilshire Blvd. ("now" photo February 2024)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen circular traffic signal like this. We can see the “GO” so I assume the “STOP” is hidden behind the white panel on the right. If so, what did those two bumps in the middle of the sign do? And was that a light under the “no U turn” sign? ("now" photo May 2022)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Screenshot from a 1950s British travelogue captured at the moment a pink Cadillac was driving past. My friend David G said: "It started out as a 1955 or 1956 Cadillac coupe, but customized with cut-off Eldorado fins, a noncontemporary bumper, and adapted taillight lenses.” ("now" photo August 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I’m posting this 1957 photo of the Les Bacon & Sons Ford car dealership at 1200 Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach to ask: Is there actually a big slice of bacon on that Ford sign? I guess when you’re the top-selling Ford showroom west of the Mississippi, anything goes. ("now" photo August 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Capitol Records building under construction at 1750 Vine St, Hollywood, circa 1955. Its critics saw the unconventional shape as gimmicky--including Capitol’s president. By the time the building was finished in April 1965, the public had embraced it as futuristic, and memorable. (now photo Jan 2026)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Looking north toward the Hollywoodland sign and Don Lee Television transmission tower atop Mt. Lee in Griffith Park. The tower went up in 1938. The sign went up in 1923, but by the early 1940s it had started to deteriorate. The “LAND” portion was gone by 1949.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
My longest novel to date has been "Selznick's Girl Friday" at 123,000 words. I just finished the latest draft of my new one, and it has come in at 125,000. The prose is now as lean as I can possibly make it, so I've decided that one book has to be my longest, and apparently this one is it.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Looking north up Vine St from Hollywood Blvd toward the Capitol Records building circa 1956. But that big HOLLYWOOD AND VINE neon sign was on the Equitable Building on the northeast corner. I guess someone just cut-and-pasted on? ("now" photo January 2026)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Lindomar Lodge was at Sunset Blvd & PCH, circa 1950s. I bet the owners of the lodge and their motel neighbors were mighty nervous about those residences above them that had collapsed after a landslide. (The full color photo is a color enhanced/balanced version of original.) ("now" photo July 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I’m not convinced that standing in a flooded intersection (Flower & 4th St #DTLA) is a great idea after a heavy rainstorm in 1933. We’re facing south down Flower and can see the distinct silhouette of the Richfield Tower at 555 S. Flower. ("Now" photo July 2025)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The motion picture back lot on Washington Blvd in Culver City known most commonly as “40 Acres” has had many names and owners over the years. This aerial photograph gives us a cross-section of productions filmed there, including GWTW, various Tarzan movies, and many TV shows. ("now" photo Feb 2024)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Finding a date on this aerial photo of the Hollywood Bowl proved more difficult than I expected, but we can narrow it down to sometime between 1953 and 1972. Those are the years when the bowl featured a half-moon-shaped reflecting pool and fountain in front of the stage. ("now" photo February 2024)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
This 1975 east-facing shot was taken at or near the top of the 1st Federal Savings & Loan Building at Hollywood Blvd & Highland Ave. On the far left, we can nearly see the top of the Hollywood First National Bank Building, which shows how high we are. ("now" photo February 2024)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
As part of the 60th Academy Awards on April 11, 1988, someone got the bright idea to fly an enormous Oscar over the Hollywood sign. Its letters are 45 feet tall (the sign was rebuilt in 1978) so even allowing for perspective, that Oscar looks like it was very large indeed.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I’ve always assumed that gas station convenience stores like Arco’s ampm were a modern invention, but this circa 1930 photo disproves that. This is the store that was attached to the Hollywood-Vine Service Station and Parking Garage somewhere south of Hollywood and Vine.
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Blvd cityscape for nearly 100 years. But like all buildings it started as a field of dirt. Here’s a picture taken on May 1, 1929 when excavation had just begun. I like how the fence isn't the usual slap-dash bare-minimum that’ll-do eyesore. ("now" photo February 2024)
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Martin Turnbull @martinturnbull.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
With all those electric lit up in the dusk light, no wonder so many people took photos looking north up Vine St from Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. This one is circa 1950s. The Hollywood Recreation Center housed 22 tenpin bowling lanes, restaurant, and bar: a one-stop destination! (now photo March 2023)
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