These photos of Southern California from more than 100 years ago are mind blowing to see. It’s hard to comprehend just how much has changed over time, but the proof is in the pictures. In addition to the structural changes to the land, streets and buildings, it’s also pretty interesting to see how formal everyone looked back then wearing hats and dresses for a day at the pier or the beach. Take a look and ponder these photos for a moment as they will really make you respect the passage of time.

1. Downtown Los Angeles on Spring and First Street as it looked in the early 1900s.
Wikimedia Commons
2. Huntington Beach Pier circa 1910.
flickr/Orange County Archives
3. Seal Beach Amusement Park approximately 1920.
Photo Credit
4. A streetcar in San Diego in 1915 on 5th and Broadway. The San Diego Electric Railway was the mass transit system back then.
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
5. Catalina Island in the early 1900s.
Wikimedia Commons
6. The view of the Redondo Beach pier and pavilion as photographed somewhere between 1910-1915.
Wikimedia Commons
7. Venice, CA in 1913 on Windward Avenue. The banner is announcing a game between the Chicago White Sox and Venice Tigers.
Wikimedia Commons

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8. Venice Beach Amusement Park in the early 1900s. Look at everyone dressed up in fancy hats.
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
9. Santa Barbara in the early 1900s. A view of the downtown area on State Street is pictured here.
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
10. Santa Monica in the early 1900s on 3rd and Broadway. The Bank Building is pictured here.
11. Glendale as it looked in 1915 on Brand Boulevard.
Wikimedia Commons
12. San Pedro in 1907 on a commercial stretch of Beacon Street between 5th and 6th Street.
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
13. Long Beach Pike as photographed near the years of 1907-1915. Pictured here you can see the Majestic Rink in the background.
Wikimedia Commons
14. Long Beach Pier as it was captured on film in 1905.
Wikimedia Commons
15. A glimpse of Santa Ana circa 1910 at Fourth Street and Main during the Ringling Bros. Circus parade.
flickr/Orange County Archives

Doesn’t this make you wonder just how different things might look in Southern California 100 years from now? It’s an interesting thing to ponder after seeing how much progress was made in the past 100 years. If you’re interested in seeing more vintage photos of Southern California, you will enjoy the collection of pictures of SoCal captured in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Did you like seeing these vintage shots? If so, please share this post so other people can enjoy them as well.

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