San Vicente Blvd. in the 1950s

This image from 1950 or 1951 shows a City truck sprinkling Mesembyantheumum Rosea (ice plant) along the parkway strip on San Vicente Blvd. Included in the shot are the newly planted coral trees (Erythrina Constantian). The truck could use 3,000 gallons of water to water the plantings in 35 minutes.

Presidents in an around Santa Monica

California Governor O.H. La Grange presenting President McKinley

to the veterans of National Soldier's Home, Sawtelle, Califr. on May 9, 1901

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) presenting the Robert J. Collier trophy

to Donald W. Douglas and technical and production personnel from

Douglas Aircraft Company for development of the twin-engine commercial tra

President Lyndon Johnson speaking at

Douglas Aircraft Company sometime in the 1960s

Undated sand sculpture on the beach in Santa Monica

of U.S. Presidents

Images and information from the Santa Monica Public Library Imagine Santa Monica digital images collection

Montana Branch Library's past renovations

Montana Branch exterior 1952

Montana Branch Interior 1960

Exterior Montana Branch 1960

Current Customer Service desk

The third library branch opened in Santa Monica will be closed for internal improvements between January 16 and February 24, 2012. The Montana Branch first opened on February 12, 1952 in a rented building at 1528-30 Montana Avenue. The orginial book collection totalled 4,292 items. Later, two lots were purchased on Montana Avenue for a total of $72,050 at the current library location, which opened to the public on March 1, 1960.

Bank on Santa Monica

Crocker Bank built in 1929 (image from 1983)

Bay Cities Guaranty Building and Loan Association 1929

Undated advertisment inviting women to set up bank accounts at Merchant's National Bank

In 1899 there were two banks in the City of Santa Monica: Bank of Santa Monica located at Third Street and Oregon Avenue (now Santa Monica Blvd.) and Commercial Co's Bank at 219 Third Street. By the late 1920s there were thirteen financial institutions, including multiple branches. Bank of Italy later became Bank of America, which survived the Depression, but did not remain in Santa Monica in the early 1930s. Other banks in town included - Bank of Santa Monica, California Bank, Los Angeles-First National Trust & Savings Bank, Santa Monica Savings Bank and Security Trust & Savings Bank.

Images from Imagine Santa Monica online digital collection. Bank names and addressed culled from the Santa Monica City Directories for 1899, 1921-22 and 1930-31 in the California Reference Collection at the Main Library.

33rd Academy Award held at the Santa Monica Auditorium

On Monday, April 17, 1961, the 33rd Annual Academy Award ceremony was held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. The master of ceremonies was Bob Hope. The winning motion picture was "The Apartment." The best actor was Burt Lancaster in "Elmer Gantry" and best actress, Elizabeth Taylor in "Butterfield 8." The best director award went to Billy Wilder for "The Apartment." The Oscar for best music score of a dramatic or comedic film was for "Exodus."

Resources consulted include Imagine Santa Monica's Image Archives and the Oscar Legacy section of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Science website.

http://http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/33rd.html