When the team was new to Los Angeles, fans had only to wait one year; the Dodgers won the National League pennant in 1959, only their second season in California, and from October 1-8 battled the Chicago White Sox for the world championship. As the photographs here – from the USC Libraries' regional history collections – show, things have changed. Fashions both on and off the field were different, temperatures were in the double-digits, and the Dodgers then called the cavernous Coliseum home, which welcomed sell-out crowds of more than 92,000 in games three, four, and five. The Dodgers then flew to Chicago for game six, which they won, 9-3, clinching the series four games to two and securing the first of many world championships for the City of Angels.
The Dodgers and White Sox line up for the national anthem before game 3 of the 1959 World Series.
More than 92,000 filled the cavernous Coliseum for games 3-5 of the 1959 World Series.
A baseball diamond fit poorly within the confines of the Coliseum.
Binoculars and sunglasses were ubiquitous accessories at the 1959 World Series. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Examiner Collection, USC Libraries.
Transistor radios were another popular accessory. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Examiner Collection, USC Libraries.
Hats. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Examiner Collection, USC Libraries.
A Dodger fan. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Examiner Collection, USC Libraries.
A young Dodger fan. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Examiner Collection, USC Libraries.
The Dodgers score in the 1959 World Series. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Examiner Collection, USC Libraries.
The cheeseburger was supposedly invented by Lionel Sternberger at The Rite Spot in Pasadena, when he added a slice of cheese to a regular beef burger and called it the "Aristocratic Hamburger." But the real history behind this fast food staple is a bit more complicated.
The opportunity to get and stay healthy was a major draw for people to both visit and move to Los Angeles — whether it was during the tuberculosis epidemic (a.k.a. the "forgotten plague") during the 19th century or the health and wellness boom of the early 20th century. Both of these topics are explored in Season 6 of the PBS SoCal Original Series Lost LA.
The onset of the spring season heralds the arrival of fragrant flowers in bloom — and all the critters that enjoy them, including the Easter bunny and families who anticipate his arrival with egg hunts, parades and questionable fashion choices.
