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No. 7

This aerial press photo displays the Hollywood Freeway - at the Harbor Freeway interchange - shortly after it was open to the public in 1952.  The southern part of the freeway ran from downtown LA to the northern edge of the historic Cahuenga Pass.  The second phase of construction, stretching the freeway (Route 101) into the San Fernando Valley was completed in1954. 

At the time this photograph was shot, freeways were new and the interlace of roadways on separate levels to create a continuous flow of traffic was still seen as modern and beautiful.  Unfortunately, by the time the Hollywood Freeway was completed in 1968, what was once seen as a marvel of engineering had become emblematic of the clash between urban life and the automobile.

 Hollywood Freeway
 (Looking N. at the 110)

Unattributed press photo, 1953
vintage gelatin silver print
13 7/8 × 11”