A couple of the chapters in my 2001 book, The San Fernando Valley: America's Suburb, deal with the history of the Los Angeles Aqueduct and how abundant water changed the city and the valley. It holds ...

LA Observed is a website devoted to independent reporting, informed commentary and selective linkage on Los Angeles news, media, politics, business, books and other topics. The site went live in May ...

When Daryl Gates ran the LAPD from 1978 to 1992 he also ran a worldwide political spying operation. And he lavished time on it, sometimes several hours each day, including all the dossiers and reports ...

Fun item from historian Michael Beschloss: In 1962, Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax invested in a West Hollywood motor inn, which was renamed Sandy Koufax’s Tropicana Motel. Down Santa Monica Boulevard ...

After reading that the current LA Weekly could not turn up an archive copy of the paper's first issue after the riots in 1992, Los Angeles magazine editor-in-chief Mary Melton dug out her copy and ...

That trompe l'oeil depiction of bookshelves on a garage door spotted in the Hollywood Hills a few weeks ago by author Robert Crais has a backstory, of course. And there's a media angle. Barbara ...

Now this is Hollywood, and a place where some people will do anything to promote anything. So it could be just that: a promo for something yet to be revealed. But it seems that on Page A7 of Monday's ...

Wednesday was the last day of work for many of the close to 80 newsroom staffers who are leaving the Los Angeles Times, with farewell gatherings and toasts in several departments. "Hysterical," is how ...

The 1935 LA Times building is in the foreground, at 1st and Spring. To the rear left, at 2nd and Spring, is the 1948 Mirror building. The 1970s Times Mirror wing, at 1st and Broadway, is what would be ...

The passing of Ray Manzarek, the legendary keyboard player for The Doors, has brought up personal memories of the band all over social media. The Doors performed live a lot, and of course their music ...

During the opening ceremony of the Los Angeles Olympic Games, on July 28, 1984, a dramatic moment came when 84 grand pianos appeared in the peristyle of the Coliseum and began to play "Rhapsody in ...

Officially, there is no admission charge to visit the Getty Museum. That's per the old man's bequest, if I recall correctly. But if you drive a car to the Getty, yes even a Prius, it costs you $15 — ...