#TBT – Photos of Union Oil Station at Wilton and Wilshire (1932)

In social media, each Thursday brings out a lot of nostalgia in a phenomenon known as #TBT – which, for the uninitiated, stands for ‘Throw Back Thursday’. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter users dig up all kinds of old pictures and share them on their social media channels as a way of stimulating shared memories (and reminding their community of followers of how cute a little kid they were).

This summer, Larchmont Buzz is jumping in to the #TBT movement by sharing photos of various sites in the Greater Wilshire area. Some of the photos we have lined up will surprise and delight! A special thanks in advance to some handy resources – including the Twitter handle @PhotosofSoCal, The Huntington Digital Library  and the USC Digital Libraries.

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#TBT – Union Oil Station | South Wilton Place and Wilshire Boulevard | 1932

The southwest corner of Wilton Place and Wilshire Boulevard is currently home to the US Social Security Administration building. In 1932, this Union Oil Station was a high-class, full service joint that was newly opened on the edge of our growing neighborhood. The world was deep in the Great Depression and Los Angeles was playing host to the Xth Olympiad.  A gallon of gas appears to have cost 16 cents…as compared to the $4.17 and higher one will find in the area today.

Enjoy!

1932 – Luv these next few photos (detail and clarity is great). Location was 4006 Wilshire Blvd. 1 of 6. pic.twitter.com/xWrgJKebll

— PhotosOfSoCal (@photosofsocal) January 4, 2014

1932 – 2 of 6: Unocal (Union Oil) now owned by @Chevron. 76 brand is owned by Phillips 66 (not sure the difference). pic.twitter.com/N2PIYn1AwR

— PhotosOfSoCal (@photosofsocal) January 4, 2014

1932 – 3 of 6: Is that a gas pump or a scale (or both)? BTW, these pumps can command thousands of dollars today. pic.twitter.com/KPgQbYuZfl

— PhotosOfSoCal (@photosofsocal) January 4, 2014

1932 – 4 of 6: 4006 Wilshire Blvd makes the gas station near the SW corner of Wilshire & Wilton Pl. (Koreatown). pic.twitter.com/KmCLdgDdXh — PhotosOfSoCal (@photosofsocal) January 4, 2014

1932 – 5 of 6: Come inside Station #932 and relax while we fill your tank and check the oil. pic.twitter.com/o8D3BHIvrH

— PhotosOfSoCal (@photosofsocal) January 4, 2014

1932 – 6 of 6: Cool street lamp but…where’s the Union 76 orange ball? pic.twitter.com/YVW1KwVJTK

— PhotosOfSoCal (@photosofsocal) January 4, 2014