The Grand Concourse

I just finished Kevin Roderick's book Wilshire Boulevard, the "Grand Concourse" and "unofficial Main Street of dreams that flows through Los Angeles history." (Rodderick is the editor of LA Observed.)

In 150 photos and vignettes, the book retraces the history of the "Champs Elysées of the Pacific", from the late 1800s to this day. Starting Downtown, it chronicles the fifteen mile stretch neighborhood by neighborhood, all the way to Santa Monica and the Pacific ocean.

Quite a trip. And a worthwhile read for L.A. buffs. Plenty of gossip and intel on the city's young but so fascinating history. Written with Roderick's usual talent de raconteur. More here.

To me, Wilshire used to be synonymous with traffic glut, but it will never feel the same after reading Roderick's book. It's like this long, boring snake of a thoroughfare has finally come to life.