UPDATE:  According to Larry Harnisch (who appeared on the City Confidential Show about the Black Dahlia), a leading expert on the Black Dahlia (and soon to released a sensational book which may name the most likely suspect) "While she was in Hollywood in the second half of 1946, Elizabeth Short lived in a private home at 6024 Carlos Way (demolished), at the Hawthorn Hotel on Orange Drive (demolished) and at the  Chancellor Apartments 1842 N. Cherokee (still there). I know which apartment it was, but am holding it back for my book. She stayed very briefly at two other places in Hollywood (neither of them the Alto Nido) but I'm holding them back for my book as they have never been revealed publicly."

UPDATE II:  The myth of Elizabeth Short living at the Alto Nido may be perpetuated, as the Alto Nido is seen in the movie "The Black Dahlia" as a locale where she lived.

Nathaniel West (born Nathan Weinstein - I guess he wanted to hide his Irish origins) hung out in the Parva Sed (which means "small but suitable") Apartments in 1935   when he wrote "Day of the Locust". West died in a car accident (supposedly due to his wanton and willful negligence), along with his wife Eileen McKenney, near El Centro, California (a small town in the Imperial Valley also known for another momentous event - the birth place of "Cher" - not much happens in El Centro!).

Not far from Musso and Frank's, Miceli's, the Pig 'n Whistle, the Pantages, the Frolic Room, Boardner's, the Egyptian theater, the Chinese Theater, the Power House, and the El Capitan Theater.

It once housed the famous Coconut Grove nightclub as well, with a sand lagoon pool and palms left over from a Valentino movie.

This is where Robert Kennedy was slain on June 5, 1968. Supposedly, Richard Nixon composed his Checkers speech here, that restored him to the good graces of the American public. The jury for Charles Manson made this place a home for a number of months from '69 to '70. Russian dictator Nikita Khrushchev pontificated about burying the West here in the Hotel's Embassy Room (unfortunately his prediction came true regarding the hotel itself).

A recreation of the Coconut Grove can be seen in the movie the Aviator.  The Brown Derby was across the street (now a sad shell at times painted silver).

The former hotel site is near the HMS Bounty, the Prince, the Brass Monkey, and Frank 'n Hanks, and Taylor's Steakhouse (as well as the former sites of the first Brown Derby, the Bull 'n Bush, the Mona Lisa Restaurant, and the Haig Jazz club).

An older version  of the Ambassador's sign (originally not a sign but decorative element - the letters were added later) was exposed when the remodeled version was demolished.

Update:  The Los Angeles Conservancy has lost its brave and hard fought battle to save the Ambassador.  Except for a  remnant of the Coconut Grove nightclub - it's now adios.  Gone are the visual  memories of Hollywood's heyday and Robert Kennedy's last day. Were it not for the Los Angeles Conservancy and Hollywood Heritage, I think Los Angeles might become one big parking lot!

Update II:  Due to supposed structural problems, even the Coconut Grove remnant pictured above will now be torn down as well.

As of May 2008, this is all that is left of the Ambassador (Coconut Gove) building. Are they going to say this crumb for posterity?

Collection of Daniel Sullivan

She died in 1944, but her church lives on becoming one of the largest Pentecostal Denominations in the world - Four Square Gospel Church

Larry F. provides this important information:

Angelus Temple was built in 1922 and opened January 1, 1923. It has been remodeled twice, however, the immense dome, pipe organ grille with mural, stained glass windows and balconies remain original in shape and design. The original W.W. Kimball Pipe Organ dates back to April of 1923, and is being restored.

The building has a pitched glass top that creates an incredible lighting effect, wrought iron curlicues ornamentation, and beautifully ornate open cage elevators that are still functional.  Wyman was inspired to this design while reading science fiction books of the time.  In fabricating this edifice, an underground stream was encountered which threatened the stability of the construction.  Expensive reinforcements were made, the cost of which was offset by utilizing the water for steam heating and hydraulic power for the elevators.

Ironically, Wyman did get some architectural training after doing the Bradbury, but did little else of note after this magnum opus (well - he did remodel the Jonathan Club - near and dear to my heart).

Seen in movies like Blade Runner, Wolf, The indestructible Man, Greedy, Murder in the First, D.O.A. (1950 version) and a Burning Passion, it’s a must see if you are touring Broadway. After checking with the security guard, you are free to roam the bottom floor. Nice shop with great books on Los Angeles inside as well. Truly, the most mystical of downtown buildings, the Bradbury is another "must see".

Near the Redwood 2nd St. Saloon (now "the Redwood"), as well as Clifton's Cafeteria, Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet, Phillipe's, the Original Pantry Cafe, Hank's Bar, and the Yorkshire Grill.

Unverified rumors I hear about the place range from a claim that this is just a recreation of the hat - to claims that not only is it the original (2nd) hat, but the hat brim is the original as well.  Of course - the part that merged into the coffee shop must have been filled in.  Someone - please educate me as to the truth.

UPDATE:  For what it's worth, the mummy has been spruced up a bit and is once again a Korean restaurant.

Near the HMS Bounty, the Prince, the Brass Monkey, Frank 'n Hanks, Taylor's Steakhouse, Langer's and  the ghost of the Ambassador.

Seen in the great noir film Double Indemnity and the TV series Fallen Angels.

One of the greatest art deco treasures of Los Angeles and thankfully preserved by Southwestern Law School including many interior elements. This former department store was quite an innovation in design when it was first built.  At a time when virtually all retail business was centered downtown and looking like big boxes, this was the first suburban department store.  Even in the 1920s, parking and traffic were a big problem downtown and this was the first major store designed with the car and parking in mind. A gamble that paid off!

Sure wish someone would let me go in and take pictures!!!!

Near Langer's, the HMS Bounty restaurant, Langers Deli, Taylor's Steakhouse, the Brass Monkey and the Prince Restaurant (Windsor) 

Collection of Daniel Sullivan 

I just revisited the place and it is still in great shape.  The hotel has been bought by the owner of the Standard Hotel, which means it is in good hands.  Unlike the staff of the two Los Angeles Standard Hotels who are generally warm and friendly, here they seem to have trained the staff here to be professional but emotionally cool (I guess "aloof" is the word). I recommend getting a fairly expensive drink in the hotel lobby (where they automatically include a 15% tip - my server just told me the price without mentioning this (and got a second full tip - I guess I looked the innocent type). I discovered it when I went back another day and charged it and got a receipt).  Despite the mild negatives - you get a big bang for your buck in time machine ambiance and history.  They only begrudgingly seem to allow non-hotel guests in the lobby and restaurant (hopefully me letting you know won't end up in non-hotel guests being completely barred). Probably best to go on a slow week night.  Enter through the garage entrance. 

Near Darby's Coffee Shop and My Brother’s Bar BQ.

Strangely enough, there is an almost exact replica in a theme park in Florida.

Near the Coach and Horses bar, the Hollywood Athletic Club, the Cinerama Dome and the site of Earl Carroll's nightclub.

Near Clifton's Cafeteria, Cole's PE Buffet, the Yorkshire Grill, Philippe French Dipped Sandwiches and Hank's Bar.

This place is now used almost continuously for filming. If you are shooting a film, you would be foolish not to include this fabulous place.

Near Monty's Steak House (now closed), El Cholo (Pasadena branch), Russell's Hamburgers (closed?), El Torero Mexican restaurant, Freddie's 35er bar, the Rialto theater, and Gus's Barbeque Restaurant. 

Near Canter's Deli, Tom Bergin's, the Miracle Mile, the El Coyote restaurant, Patsy's Pizza (inside the Market) and Molly Malone's.

Collection of Joel C.

The HMS Bounty Restaurant and bar is located here as well. The Gaylord started out as one of the first condominium projects in Los Angeles, but converted back to apartments after the depression (and did a stint as a hotel). Located in a very historic part of the Wilshire District, the Brown Derby used to be right next door, the Ambassador Hotel across the street. The the Haig jazz club of Chet Baker fame was virtually across the street on Kenmore, as well as the Bull 'n Bush and Mona Lisa Restaurants (the later being a Musso and Frank Grill progeny). Richard Nixon maintained a place here in the early 60's but it was probably just for brief visits. Formerly owned by Fred Harris.

You can see the beautiful "Gaylord" neon sign briefly in the 1950's noir classic "D.O.A" and in the opening credits of "Playboy After Dark" in the 60's.

Near the Prince (Windsor) restaurant, the Windsor Apartments, the Brass Monkey bar, Langer's Deli, Elks Club/Park Plaza Hotel and Frank 'n Hanks bar.

UPDATE: This place is great danger of disappearing at present. Contact the Los Angeles Conservancy to see what you can do.

UPDATE II:  This place has apparently been saved by a new long term lease. Good news!

UPDATE III: At present all the signage is gone. Hopefully it's just being fixed.

The pattern of the stone's above represents a Hollyhock - Barnsdall's favorite flower.

Below are some beautiful photos of the place generously provided by Phil B. who is a real fan of the Wright creations:

Built on land acquired in 1919 for eccentric millionaire Aline Barnsdall (1882-1946) who allegedly had a few trysts with Wright. Barnsdall, adhering to the same wacko Socialist school of thought as H. Gaylord Wilshire (she was a big fan of Russian anarchist Emma Goldman), had plans to make this an artist hang out in the style of a commune. Despite her love of the proletariat, she had a fortune of close to six million dollars, inherited from her dear old dad.  She had one daughter, Aline Elizabeth Barnsdall.

When Wright and Barnsdall had a tiff over what she perceived as Wright's neglect of the housing project, Wright brought in his son Lloyd, as well as two other architectural greats - R.M. Schindler and Richard Neutra - to help finish up the project (while Frank Lloyd worked on building the Imperial Hotel in Japan).  Talk about a "dream team"! Schindler did the Studio Residence A himself in 1920 and Schindler and Neutra both worked on the pool area.

Barnsdall only lived in the main residence for about two years before handing it over to the City of Los Angeles (a reluctant recipient).  She later sued Los Angeles to try to recoup the property when the illustrious Angelino government let the place become a wreck.  When in Los Angeles, Barnsdall would crash in the smaller "Director's House - Residence B", where she eventually checked out to that great commune in the sky in December of 1946.  For reasons unknown to me, the Residence B was leveled in 1954.  It's rather amazing how close the Hollyhock house was to being torn down on many occasions.

Barnsdall's contributions to the culture of Los Angeles were not appreciated in her day, due to her perceived off beat character.  She was actually in the pokey briefly in 1945 for having over twenty dogs on her residence without a leash.

All kidding aside, Barnsdall obviously made a magnificent gift to Los Angeles culture and architecture. Nice tours are available.

Near the Dresden Room, the Rustic Inn, and the Los Feliz Brown Derby Drive-in site (now thankfully saved by the Save the Derby organization).

UPDATE: This building (see lower left) now has one of those large time machine destroying signs covering much of the exterior like the Hollywood Roosevelt. I understand that you can't make property owners bear the burden of preserving history for the masses. It's a shame that the City of Los Angeles can't purchase a few of these landmarks and use them for public purposes, rather than let them become so degraded. This building is really the anchor of Hollywood.

Near Musso and Frank's restaurant, Boardner's bar and restaurant, Miceli's Italian restaurant, the Pig 'n Whistle,  the Frolic Room bar, the Chinese theater, the Egyptian theater and the Pantages theater.

Near Musso and Frank's, Boardner's, the Pig 'n Whistle, The Power House, Miceli's, the Frolic Room, the Chinese Theater, the El Capitan Theater and the Egyptian Theater.  Pretty easy tour, perhaps by foot during the day.

Typical original Hollywoodland mansion (do not disturb residents or trespass).