George Mann "Bunker Hill"

Found via On Bunker Hill is George Mann, a vaudeville star of Barto & Mann who in his later years turned to photography. The photos you see are of the old Bunker Hill before it was torn down in the 50s by the city and rebuilt as high rise business buildings.

Initially a residential suburb, Bunker Hill retained its exclusive character through the end of World War I, but in the face of increased urban growth fed by an extensive streetcar system, its wealthy residents began leaving for enclaves on the west side and Pasadena. Bunker Hill's houses were increasingly sub-divided to accommodate renters. By World War II the Pasadena freeway, built to bring shoppers downtown, was taking more residents out. Additional post-war freeway construction left downtown comparatively empty of both people and services. The once-grand Victorian mansions of Bunker Hill became slum housing. (via)

Check On Bunker Hill for some more amazing photographs of days gone by.