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Lost LA
How the Thomas Guide Reveals a Changing Los Angeles
Before Google Maps, the Thomas Guide helped generations navigate Los Angeles. Created by the Thomas Brothers, its detailed grid system mapped a rapidly expanding city. Flipping through its pages reveals more than directions, it documents the growth of Southern California, from new freeways to sprawling neighborhoods, offering records of how Angelenos understood their city before digital navigation
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27:42
From a barn to a bowl to a tower, the early history of Hollywood.
29:00
Hidden in plain sight, neon, mosaics and stained-glass shaped Los Angeles’ backdrop.
27:04
Exploring two fruit trees that transformed Southern California.
28:08
Nathan visits Surfridge, the Tehachapi Loop and the largest collection of Thomas Guides.
26:29
From wildflowers to jacarandas, explore the plants that paint California in vibrant hues.
26:40
Discover how the True Crime genre was shaped by its deep historic legacy in Los Angeles.
26:43
Uncover the origins of the sci-fi genre and its unique connection to historic Los Angeles.
27:10
Auto racing's LA roots, from dry lake beds to movie ranches, left tread marks across the region.
27:05
Trace the devastation of the 1928 St. Francis Dam collapse and its deadly flood.
