Circa 1915 view of the Ship Cafe and Venice pier at sunset.

Circa 1915 view of the Ship Cafe and Venice pier at sunset.

Hollywood after dark, circa 1955.
The photo, part of the Dick Whittington Photography Collection in the USC Digital Library, looks north up Vine Street from the corner of Vine and Sunset Boulevard.

Hollywood after dark, circa 1955.

The photo, part of the Dick Whittington Photography Collection in the USC Digital Library, looks north up Vine Street from the corner of Vine and Sunset Boulevard.

Venice at night, 1939

Venice at night, 1939

A rain-soaked Hollywood Boulevard, decorated for the holidays as Santa Claus Lane, circa 1930s.

A rain-soaked Hollywood Boulevard, decorated for the holidays as Santa Claus Lane, circa 1930s.

Circa 1940s Hollywood decorated for the holidays. The view looks east down Hollywood Boulevard from the corner of Hollywood and Highland.

Circa 1940s Hollywood decorated for the holidays. The view looks east down Hollywood Boulevard from the corner of Hollywood and Highland.

Nighttime view of downtown Los Angeles decorated for the holidays, circa 1940

Nighttime view of downtown Los Angeles decorated for the holidays, circa 1940

Venice Pier at night, 1907

Venice Pier at night, 1907

Los Angeles Union Station and the surrounding area at night, 1941

Los Angeles Union Station and the surrounding area at night, 1941

Wilmington Oil Wells at Night, circa 1930.

Wilmington Oil Wells at Night, circa 1930.

Hollywood at Night, 1930

Hollywood at Night, 1930