Visions of Polynesia at least if you were in Los Angeles in 1939. No cruise to Hawaii required. Photographs of the Clifton Cafeteria after it was transformed into the Pacific Seas. The restaurant closed in 1960 and was later razed. Imagery from TESSA the digital collections of the Los Angeles Public Library.

Photographs, Uncategorized 2 Minutes

Clifton’s “Pacific Seas” Cafeteria: Diners have filled one of the rooms of the popular eatery, Clifton’s “Pacific Seas” Cafeteria, located at 618 S. Olive Street. The cafeteria’s decor, intended to evoke a Polynesian setting, includes floral wallpaper, fake flowers and palm trees, baskets, and the Rain Hut, visible in the background, where, according to the posted signs, it “rains approx. every 20 min.” Hats and baskets hanging from a grid of bamboo attached to the ceiling along with other tropical touches. The silverware over on the far right must be for the buffet. Has your standard American 1930s-1940s linoleum floor, too. Image ca. 1945. American, Los Angeles, California. Ralph Morris, photographer. Ralph Morris Collection, Los Angeles Photographers Collection. via TESSA the digital collections of the Los Angeles Public Library. via https://tessa2.lapl.org/digital/collection/photos/id/122818
Having a meal at Pacific Seas: Four women enjoy themselves at Clifton’s Pacific Seas Cafeteria, having lunch in front of a crepe paper palm tree. Late 1940s-1950s image. American, Los Angeles, California. Photographer not given. Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection. via TESSA the digital collections of the Los Angeles Public Library. via https://tessa2.lapl.org/digital/collection/photos/id/103441/rec/11
Dining area of Clifton’s “Pacific Seas” Cafeteria. A postcard with the caption on the back reading “A fantastic neon palm by Polynesian grass hut. Only one of the many fantastic features. Guests pay what they wish and dine free unless delighted. 618 South Olive Street, Los Angeles.” Vintage postcard, ca. 1940s-1950s. Late 1940s-1950s image. American, Los Angeles, California. Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection. via TESSA the digital collections of the Los Angeles Public Library. via https://tessa2.lapl.org/digital/collection/photos/id/87434/rec/13

Interior view of the Pacific Seas cafeteria, located at 618 South Olive Street, showing a decorative neon light. In the background is the reflection of that very same light. Image ca. 1945. American, Los Angeles, California. Lucille Stewart, photographer. Lucille Stewart Collection, Los Angeles Photographers Collection. via TESSA the digital collections of the Los Angeles Public Library. via https://tessa2.lapl.org/digital/collection/photos/id/123419/rec/20

Interior view of the Pacific Seas cafeteria, located at 618 South Olive Street, showing a decorative neon light designed to look like a palm tree with decorative bamboo ladders leading to a balcony in the rear. Image ca. 1945. American, Los Angeles, California. Lucille Stewart, photographer. Lucille Stewart Collection, Los Angeles Photographers Collection. via TESSA the digital collections of the Los Angeles Public Library. via https://tessa2.lapl.org/digital/collection/photos/id/123420/rec/21
Interior view of the Pacific Seas cafeteria, located at 618 South Olive Street, showing a decorative neon light designed to look like a palm tree. Image ca. 1945. American, Los Angeles, California. Lucille Stewart, photographer. Lucille Stewart Collection, Los Angeles Photographers Collection. via TESSA the digital collections of the Los Angeles Public Library. via https://tessa2.lapl.org/digital/collection/photos/id/123425/rec/23
Clifton’s String Ensemble at “Pacific Seas:” Pianist Julius K. Johnson, violinist Caroline Hermann, harpist Grace Curey, and string bass player Nathan Harrison, who make up the Clifton’s String Ensemble, play inside the raised Aloha Entertainment Platform at Clifton’s “Pacific Seas” Cafeteria. Diners surround the performance area. Image ca. 1945. American, Los Angeles, California. Lucille Stewart, photographer. Lucille Stewart Collection, Los Angeles Photographers Collection. via TESSA the digital collections of the Los Angeles Public Library. via https://tessa2.lapl.org/digital/collection/photos/search/searchterm/%20Clifton’s%20%22Pacific%20Seas%22%20Cafeteria


Published by sarahbguestperry

On a voyage to see how much mileage I can get from the creative ability and eye for images that my family thought was useless. On line art curator, fiction writer and now blogger. Historian's daughter. Follow me . . .even I have no idea where I'm going next.

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