L.A.’s Legendary and Landmark Restaurants, 1897-1946

Exterior of a dome-shaped building with signage that reads "Eat in the hat" and "The Brown Derby"

Past Event

Mon, Sep 23 2024 - Sun, Feb 23 2025
All Day
Central Library, History & Genealogy Department

About the Exhibit

The restaurant scene in Los Angeles has been a dynamic and evolving tapestry, reflecting the city’s rapid growth and the diverse cultural influences that shaped its development. During its early days, Los Angeles transformed from a modest frontier town into a sprawling metropolis, and its culinary landscape evolved in parallel, influenced by waves of immigrants, the rise of Hollywood, and significant social changes.

Using the images from the Los Angeles Public Library’s historic photo collection, author and chef George Geary has curated an exhibition that celebrates the many iconic restaurants that have closed and those still open for Angelenos to enjoy.

  • exterior of Schwab’s Restaurant at night
    Roy Hankey/Los Angeles Photographers Collection. Exterior of Schwab's Pharmacy at 8024 Sunset Boulevard, in Hollywood.
  • a person orders food from the hot dog-shaped stand
    Tail o’ the Pup. Gary Leonard/Los Angeles Photographers Photo Collection. Eddie Blake's, Tail o' the Pup hot dog stand at 311 North La Cienega Boulevard.
  • Exterior image of the Van De Kamps building
    Van de Kamps, 1929. Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection. The Parkhurst building on Main Street in the Ocean Park area of Santa Monica once housed a Van de Kamp’s retail location. Today, the 1927 building houses offices.
  • Exterior of a dome-shaped building with signage that reads "Eat in the hat" and "The Brown Derby"
    The Brown Derby. Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection. Exterior view of the Brown Derby Restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard at Alexandria Avenue.

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For disability-related accommodations, please call (213) 228-7430 at least five business days prior to the event.

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