News

2605, 2024
On the passing of Spider John Koerner

May 26th, 2024|

I was really saddened to learn that John Koerner had died. He was an extremely talented guitarist and folksinger who was a mentor to young Bob Dylan and a fixture in the music scene in Minneapolis, especially on the West Bank (of the Mississippi River). John was the last of ... [Read More]

912, 2023
The Los Angeles New Year’s Flood of 1934

December 9th, 2023|

Ninety years ago, on New Years Eve, a powerful thunderstorm swept through the San Gabriel Mountains. It unleashed a violent flood of water, rocks, and mud that roared down the canyons, uprooted trees, destroyed homes, swept away cars, and resulted in nearly a hundred deaths. Five years later Woody Guthrie ... [Read More]

1507, 2023
LARB Review: L.A. and the Birth of Car Culture

July 15th, 2023|

The driving force of car consumption was much more than just an American “natural” love of automobility (or even their promotion, via massive advertising). The vanguard of the new consumer culture was the car, and its leading edge was arguably the car dealer. And Driving Force argues that Los Angeles was home to some of the most important retail innovations.

2206, 2023
Video: Society of Architectural Historians Interview ‘Driving Force’ Authors

June 22nd, 2023|

Video: Society of Architectural Historians Interview Darryl Holter and Stephen Gee Co-Authors of "Driving Force: Automobiles and the New American City, 1900–1930". The Society of Architectural Historians is a nonprofit membership organization that serves an international network of institutions and individuals who, by profession or interest, focus on the history of the built environment and its role in shaping contemporary life.

2106, 2023
Video: Los Angeles World Affairs Council and Town Hall

June 21st, 2023|

Video: Author and CEO of The Shammas Group, Darryl Holter, discusses the early auto industry, how it shaped LA, and how LA changed the industry. The conversation is moderated by Corporate Archivist at the Automobile Club of Southern California, Morgan Yates.

306, 2023
A Book to Check Out – The H.H. Franklin Club

June 3rd, 2023|

Thanks to Roger Moffat, the ACN has been introduced to a newly published book that has some distinct Franklin connec- tions: specifically Ralph Hamlin. Following is a synopsis of the book and a few photos and quotes from the book. Released on May 9, 2023, Driving Force: Automobiles and the New American City, 1900–1930 (Angel City Press) reveals how the city’s passion for automobiles was ignited by an unlikely mix of entrepreneurs and risk-takers.

On the passing of Spider John Koerner

May 26th, 2024|

I was really saddened to learn that John Koerner had died. He was an extremely talented guitarist and folksinger who was a mentor to young Bob Dylan and a fixture in the music scene in Minneapolis, especially on the West Bank (of the Mississippi River). John was the last of ... [Read More]

The Los Angeles New Year’s Flood of 1934

December 9th, 2023|

Ninety years ago, on New Years Eve, a powerful thunderstorm swept through the San Gabriel Mountains. It unleashed a violent flood of water, rocks, and mud that roared down the canyons, uprooted trees, destroyed homes, swept away cars, and resulted in nearly a hundred deaths. Five years later Woody Guthrie ... [Read More]

LARB Review: L.A. and the Birth of Car Culture

July 15th, 2023|

The driving force of car consumption was much more than just an American “natural” love of automobility (or even their promotion, via massive advertising). The vanguard of the new consumer culture was the car, and its leading edge was arguably the car dealer. And Driving Force argues that Los Angeles was home to some of the most important retail innovations.

Video: Society of Architectural Historians Interview ‘Driving Force’ Authors

June 22nd, 2023|

Video: Society of Architectural Historians Interview Darryl Holter and Stephen Gee Co-Authors of "Driving Force: Automobiles and the New American City, 1900–1930". The Society of Architectural Historians is a nonprofit membership organization that serves an international network of institutions and individuals who, by profession or interest, focus on the history of the built environment and its role in shaping contemporary life.

A Book to Check Out – The H.H. Franklin Club

June 3rd, 2023|

Thanks to Roger Moffat, the ACN has been introduced to a newly published book that has some distinct Franklin connec- tions: specifically Ralph Hamlin. Following is a synopsis of the book and a few photos and quotes from the book. Released on May 9, 2023, Driving Force: Automobiles and the New American City, 1900–1930 (Angel City Press) reveals how the city’s passion for automobiles was ignited by an unlikely mix of entrepreneurs and risk-takers.

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