Snow Way! A Look Back at Vintage Los Angeles Blanketed in White in the 20th Century
A veritable wonderland greeted residents of Glendale early January 11, 1949, when they looked out windows and wondered what happened. This beautiful sight of a portion of the city, cloaked in a mantle of snow, was taken from Arcadia Hills. | Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
You know that old song that goes, "It never rains in Southern California"? Well, wet winters like the one we're having right now show that's not exactly true.
Not only does it rain — at least sometimes, when we're lucky — but it also hails and snows. Yes, even in Los Angeles!
Although Angelenos are never that far from a snowy mountainscape in the winter, they haven't always had to travel to Mount Wilson, Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead to experience some of the white stuff and get a little snow play in. Because over the course of history, there have been times when snow has blanketed the Southland.
But that didn't stop locals from trying to work, or even drive. And it definitely encouraged them to get out and play.
Here are some of the scenes from historic snowstorms that struck in the 1930s through the 1970s.
Snow covering the ground wasn't enough to stop traffic or people continuing to play in it at night, in an undated photo taken under a "City of Los Angeles" sign. | Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
Malibu youngsters help free a California Highway Patrol cruiser stuck in snow on Saddle Peak Road on Feb. 2, 1979 | Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
"Rain or Shine" motto becomes "Rain or Snow" as real estate agent Florence L. Hinshaw, right, greets prospective customer Hal Palmer during an open house at 3928 Ballina Dr., Encino. (January 30, 1957) | Valley Times Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
Tractors stand idle in Woodland Hills as heavy snowfall blankets site of Ventura Freeway construction at Ventura and Topanga Canyon boulevards. Snow piled up to four inches deep in Canoga Park and falls were reported in Encino, Chatsworth, Reseda and Northridge. Cars skidded and motorists were advised to drive slowly and use chains. Weight of snow toppled trees and broke branches in Woodland Hills. Up to 12 inches of snow was reported in foothills surrounding Valley. (January 29, 1957) | Valley Times Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
Heavy flakes of snow fell in the darkness of the early dawn on January 11, 1949, and stalled traffic on this road in Coldwater Canyon, where many motorists turned back. | Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
In Little Tujunga Canyon, a car inches gingerly on snow-slick road through New England-like scenery on Jan. 13, 1954. | Valley Times Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
No, it's not Lassie — but it is a collie dog that sits alongside three boys, bundled up in coats, waving "hi" as they ski past a local business in an undated photo | Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
Two boys roam a snow-laden road in icy Tujunga forest on Blanchard Canyon road in Blanchard Canyon on Jan. 28, 1957, after an estimated five inches of snow fell in the Tujunga area. | Valley Times Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
Residents of Lockhaven Avenue in Eagle Rock take a sleigh ride and throw snowballs outside of a residence on March 11, 1973. | Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
Children of the Basilone Homes Housing Project in Sun Valley making a snowman after an unprecedented snowfall in Los Angeles on January 11, 1949. | Housing Authority Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
A rare view of snow in Los Angeles at the Griffith Park Zoo (the site now known as the "Old Zoo" in Griffith Park), circa 1949. | Los Angeles Public Library Legacy Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
