Historic Photos of the Reservoirs

Silver Lake has changed dramatically in the past 100 years. The photographs on these pages reflect that change.  Also, the housing density is very apparent in the aerial photograph section.   Please choose a category to view photos from that topic or time. [Photos are courtesy of DWP unless otherwise noted.]

1906 Panorama
Aerial Views

(All Photos can be 
enlarged on clicking)

Miscellaneous
The Neighborhood
Red Car Lines
Studios
Ivanhoe Reservoir Early view of Ivanhoe Reservoir (date unknown)
Comparison_of_reservoirs-lower_shows_roof_cons.jpg (36144 bytes) SIlver Lake Reservoir (top) and Ivanhoe Reservoir cover under construction.   Silver Lake Reservoir held 773,000,000 gallons before the "bay" was eliminated.  The roof covering Ivanhoe required 750,000 ft. of lumber.  Date unknown.  [photo courtesy Los Angeles Public Library)
Ivanhoe Reservoir, 1930s View looking east towards the intersection of Tesla and W. Silver Lake Drive. The black structure is a wooden cover with black roofing material over Ivanhoe Reservoir. c. 1930s
Silver Lake, 1930s View looking north from southeast corner. 1930s  [photo courtesy of Doug Baldwin]
SL_Baxter.jpg (127756 bytes) Looking Southeast, Baxter Street, with Eltinge house in the center. Date unknown. (photo courtesy David Kalwitz)
W. Silver Lake Drive, 1930s Intersection of Bright Lane and Kenilworth Avenue.  View looking east towards W. Silver Lake Drive. c. 1930s
Silver Lake Reservoir from SE Corner, 1930S North view from southeast corner. 1930s [photo courtesy of Doug Baldwin]
Silver Lake Reservoir Looking NW (CIRCA 1930s) Northwest view from southeast end. Cove or Earl looking at Silver Lake Blvd. 1930s [photo courtesy of Doug Baldwin]
Silver Lake, 1933 View looking north from southeast end.  Taken from Duane just above Silver Lake Blvd. 1933 [photo courtesy of Doug Baldwin]
1933_image_from__1911_Redcliff.jpg (33269 bytes) View of reservoir from 1911 Redcliff.  1933
 
[photo courtesy Los Angeles Public Library)
Silver Lake, 1936 Northwest view from southeast end. Taken from Easterly Terrace near Silver Lake Blvd. 1936 [photo courtesy of Doug Baldwin]
Silver Lake, 1936 View of southwest end of Silver Lake Reservoir taken from the east side. 1936
Silver Lake, 1936
Northeast view from southwest end. Taken near Rotary or Redesdale and Fall.  The original Silver Lake Recreation Center can be seen at the intersection of Van Pelt and W. Silver Lake Blvd.  1936  [photo courtesy of Doug Baldwin]
Silver Lake Trees, 1936
Tree-lined walking path next to the water's edge near the southeast corner of Silver Lake Reservoir, just north of the dam. 1936
Trees_along_reservoir_date_unk.jpg (26550 bytes) Tree-lined reservoir edge just north of the dam. Date unknown. photo courtesy  Los Angeles Public Library)
1938 photo from William Reagh.jpg (41794 bytes) Photo of reservoir looking Northeast; taken by WIlliam Reagh.  1938  [photo courtesy [photo courtesy Los Angeles Public Library)
Silver Lake, 1941) North view from southeast end.  Taken near Fanning and Silverwood Terrace, looking down on Silver Lake Blvd. 1941 [photo courtesy of Doug Baldwin]
Silver Lake, 1940S North view from southwest end.  Taken near Redesdale and Castle. 1940s.  [photo courtesy of Doug Baldwin]
West View of Silver Lake, 1941 Ivanhoe Reservoir. Photo taken from the east bank looking west. 1941
Painting by Dedrick B. Stuber (1878-1954).  "Early View of Silver Lake"  Photo of painting reproduced with permission of the owner.
Silver Lake outlet tower, 1941 View of outlet tower on west bank of Silver Lake Reservoir, looking north. 1941
Silver Lake, view looking northeast, 1987 Northwest view from southeast end.  Taken near Fanning and Silverwood Terrace. 1987 [photo courtesy of Doug Baldwin][photo courtesy of Doug Baldwin]
View larger version (1500 x 1000 pixels)

If you have any historic photographs of Silver Lake, please contact Spencer L. SooHoo at
soohoo@silverlake.org.

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