LA History

Can’t get enough of California? Try hopping into this Huell Howser livestream

PBS SoCal is trying out a new experiment by streaming Howser’s Visiting on YouTube, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A black and white wide view of a man with a light skin tone and dark pilot shades on smiling in at the camera. He's standing neara crowd of people and a small train car next to the downtown L.A. skyline.

Think you know the origins of the ‘Valley Girl’ accent? Like OMG, as if!

We explore the origins of how the ear-cringing accent really evolved in the San Fernando Valley.

Two people stand in front of a white backdrop with the words Valley Girl above their heads. On the left is a woman with a light skin tone with blonde hair and a pink outfit. On the right is a man with a light skin tone wearing a black open vest, no shirt and a loose tie. He has pink and blue spikey hair. On the right, it says "She's cool. He's hot. She's from the Valley. He's not."

Tiki bars were born in LA. Now, a tiki revival might be underway

A new documentary called "The Donn of Tiki" sheds light on the appeal, aesthetic, and appropriation of tiki culture.

Listen 36:45

A pile of miscellaneous objects are spread out across a table.

Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood home is LA’s newest historic-cultural monument

The 5th Helena Drive home is the only one Monroe ever owned and is where the Hollywood icon died at 36 years old.

A woman with light tone skin and a glamorous fur trimmed suit on left. At right, a black and white photo a Brentwood bungalow with a Spanish roof tile.

Here's the latest on the push to preserve the iconic Hollywood Arby's sign

Some people, including from Glendale’s Museum of Neon Art, are trying to save the 10-gallon hat on Sunset Boulevard.

A close-up of a huge red and yellow neon Arby's sign pictured from below. The sign has red and black letters that read "Farewell Hollywood TY For 55 Great Years"

The Black founders of Los Angeles you may not be aware of

Of the 44 men women and children who settled El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles in 1781, over half had African ancestry.

A dark-skinned older woman wearing a floral dress is smiling, standing next to a large plaque which says Los Pobladores on the top and lists names beneath

From hotel rooms to art deco icon: How LA's city hall evolved into that big downtown tower

Plus, why L.A. actually has four city halls.

Vintage postcard in color depicting the State Building, Hall of Records, Hall of Justice, and City Hall in the Civic Center.

Storms, politics, and activism: The history of the Santa Monica pier

The Santa Monica Pier started off as a sewage line over a century ago and has since transformed into an amusement park, event center, and tourist destination.

An aerial shot of a pier which includes a ferris wheel and other rides. Beyond is a long beach and numerous buildings.

Olvera Street’s beloved stuffed donkey is facing eviction. Now the LA city council steps in

A death in the owner’s family has caused a problem with the contract. But the prospect of the street without La Carreta is causing public concern, prompting the L.A. City Council to intervene.

A wide shot of a large stuffed brown and tan donkey that stands outside on a platform with wheels. There are mariachis in the background and colorful plants.

From Fear Of Pirates To Dreams Of Leisure — How LA's Beaches Evolved

We talk to historian Elsa Devienne about how beaches developed and her new book Sand Rush: The Revival of the Beach in Twentieth-Century Los Angeles.

A black and white wide view of people wearing bathing suits while pose on the beach under palm trees. A person sits on a beach chair as another leans against an artificial palm tree waving at three others that are walking along the shoreline. The ocean can be seen in the background.

Former Brooklyn And Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher And Special Olympics Advocate Carl Erskine Dies At 97

Erskine had two career no-hitters and won a World Series with the Dodgers in 1955. But many remember his friendship with Jackie Robinson at a time when segregation was legal.

A man in a Brooklyn Dodgers baseball uniform and cap winks at the camera and raises is left hand up. Another man is behind his right shoulder and is making the same hand gesture. Two men in suit jackets are standing on each side of the frame.

How LA's Streetlights Serve As Beacons To The City's Past

Los Angeles has the most diversity in street light design of any American city.

Black and white photo of a large circular fountain in a park, surrounded by vintage street lights with white, round orb lamps that sit atop graceful slim poles with some intricate designs toward the top. There is a row of tall palm trees in the distance.

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