Press Release: Rediscovering Los Angeles—“Los Angeles Before the Freeways” Reissued
Los Angeles, CA—Angel City Press has released an expanded edition of “Los Angeles Before the Freeways: Images of an Era 1850-1950,” highlighting the remarkable photographs of Arnold Hylen. First published in 1981, this new version includes 143 images—additional unseen works meticulously curated by historian Nathan Marsak.
Hylen, a Swedish immigrant who arrived in Los Angeles as a child, documented the city’s evolving urban landscape during a transformative era. His photographs capture long-gone buildings and neighborhoods, reflecting a poignant contrast to the rapid modernization occurring in mid-20th century Los Angeles.
“Hylen was ahead of his time,” notes Marsak. “While most were fixated on the future, he recognized the value of the past, capturing vanishing architecture before it was lost forever.” As the city continues to transform, Marsak hopes the book inspires a preservation movement among its readers.
This edition not only showcases Hylen’s original essay but also contextualizes his work for today’s audience, emphasizing the ongoing narrative of Los Angeles’s dynamic history. Whether you’re a longtime resident or a newcomer, this book offers a visual journey through a city’s rich, albeit fleeting, architectural heritage.
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