I really enjoyed this one. The only thing that would have made it better would have been someting on screen explaining what area of Sacramento we're looking at.
Since KCRA-TV didn't actually go on the air until September 1955, anything purported to be shot in 1953 by them would be anachronistic. One could say that KCRA radio staff went around town filming various scenes for some reason, although it's difficult to see a radio crew filming various scenes around town for a TV station that didn't exist. While KCRA, Inc. (KCRA Radio's owners, Gene Kelly and the Hansen Brothers) WAS trying to get the Channel 3 license in Sacramento in 1953, one also has to remember that KCRA Radio's owners had stiff competition from 2 other Sacramento radio stations. The chief competitor was Lincoln Dellar, who was trying hard to get that precious Channel 3 license for KXOA-TV (and came VERY close to getting it); the other competitor was Harmco, Inc., owners of KROY. So, just who would get that Channel 3 construction permit was so up in the air in 1953, no one could possibly know who eventually would get it. In fact, it wasn't until April 1955 that FCC Examiner Thomas Donahue recommended KCRA's bid over the other two that the tables would start to turn and look like KCRA would finally get it. So, in 1953, someone shooting footage for a TV station whose very existence was still in question is highly unlikely. So if this footage WAS in fact shot in 1953 and not a later year, my guess is that staff from KCRA Radio either shot this footage, or more likely, KCRA management commissioned this footage to be shot for KCRA Radio Promotional purposes.
I wonder if I interacted with older versions of these people while living in Sacramento from 84 to the present? Most of these places I can't recognize or geographically place though. I do recognize the preview guide channel music at the end of the video though lol.
The train station at the very end of this video, is now a location of The Old Spaghetti Factory. 1910 J St. still looks identical to the shot you see of it with a Sacramento sign on the side facing where the train would pull in. Only now that section is a bar, and the rest of the train station is the main restaurant. Union Pacific RR trains still roll through Midtown, stopping traffic several times a day, but no longer stop at the station as shown above- seeing as it's a restaurant, they roll on through. 😂
Awesome that Tower was showing the Harryhausen classic Beast from 20,000 Fathoms! I'd love a vintage shot of one of our classic theaters with Godzilla King of the Monsters on the marquee!
Thank you for posting pictures of Sacramento. I’m looking for information, pictures, and/or videos of the gasoline station that used to be at 1501 L Street in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s. I think it was a Sinclair Station. That would be kitty corner from Capitol Park on the North East corner of 15/L. Do you have any information on this station?
Our best guest is that they are the shacktowns that were around North B and North C streets, like Louie’s Camp. We posted on them a few years ago: facebook.com/ctrsactohistory/posts/pfbid0RVGjR1TnGViqcs2Ydf75SsrpVnnr89kiMmNKifgmxTMgdr3b4v9N31vk9uc6nzF4l
From this film one would believe that Sactown might be a good place to live, but just compare these scenes then to what it has degraded down to now, HOMELESS capital of the world. Can you say "Ghetto" ?
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I really enjoyed this one. The only thing that would have made it better would have been someting on screen explaining what area of Sacramento we're looking at.
Got quite a shock when I saw my grand-father in one portion of this video.
I love recordings of history. What life looks like in places.
I first stepped foot in Sacramento off the California Zephyr at the 19th St. Union Pacific station in 1955.
that neon "The BEE" sign at the beginning would look nice at Golden 1 Center! I wonder if they still have it.
Year I was born. Love these.
Since KCRA-TV didn't actually go on the air until September 1955, anything purported to be shot in 1953 by them would be anachronistic. One could say that KCRA radio staff went around town filming various scenes for some reason, although it's difficult to see a radio crew filming various scenes around town for a TV station that didn't exist. While KCRA, Inc. (KCRA Radio's owners, Gene Kelly and the Hansen Brothers) WAS trying to get the Channel 3 license in Sacramento in 1953, one also has to remember that KCRA Radio's owners had stiff competition from 2 other Sacramento radio stations. The chief competitor was Lincoln Dellar, who was trying hard to get that precious Channel 3 license for KXOA-TV (and came VERY close to getting it); the other competitor was Harmco, Inc., owners of KROY. So, just who would get that Channel 3 construction permit was so up in the air in 1953, no one could possibly know who eventually would get it. In fact, it wasn't until April 1955 that FCC Examiner Thomas Donahue recommended KCRA's bid over the other two that the tables would start to turn and look like KCRA would finally get it. So, in 1953, someone shooting footage for a TV station whose very existence was still in question is highly unlikely. So if this footage WAS in fact shot in 1953 and not a later year, my guess is that staff from KCRA Radio either shot this footage, or more likely, KCRA management commissioned this footage to be shot for KCRA Radio Promotional purposes.
I wonder if I interacted with older versions of these people while living in Sacramento from 84 to the present? Most of these places I can't recognize or geographically place though. I do recognize the preview guide channel music at the end of the video though lol.
The train station at the very end of this video, is now a location of The Old Spaghetti Factory. 1910 J St. still looks identical to the shot you see of it with a Sacramento sign on the side facing where the train would pull in. Only now that section is a bar, and the rest of the train station is the main restaurant. Union Pacific RR trains still roll through Midtown, stopping traffic several times a day, but no longer stop at the station as shown above- seeing as it's a restaurant, they roll on through. 😂
Wonderful music. Thanks for posting
Great sound-track, especially starting off with Duke Ellington's "Satin Doll", did you know that's what the sky sounds like?
And all the Les Paul and Mary Ford are also great.
Thanks, guys!!
Awesome that Tower was showing the Harryhausen classic Beast from 20,000 Fathoms! I'd love a vintage shot of one of our classic theaters with Godzilla King of the Monsters on the marquee!
I never knew people could walk diagonally across the intersection at one time. (21:54). There no way we could do that today(2021).
It was called 'kittycorner.' Quite common.
That was well before every street became a one way in downtown. Haven't seen any intersection like that these days down there.
I remember kitty corner’s downtown K street
Actually, the city of Pasadena CA still has a number of intersections where you can cross like this. It works great.
Thank you for posting pictures of Sacramento. I’m looking for information, pictures, and/or videos of the gasoline station that used to be at 1501 L Street in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s. I think it was a Sinclair Station. That would be kitty corner from Capitol Park on the North East corner of 15/L. Do you have any information on this station?
Please email us at csh@cityofsacramento.org and we would be happy to take a look for you!
Interesting to see people struggling around 7 minutes in. You never see this in old film footage of cities and towns.
They are struggling today, only with tents....not..shacks.....their have always been shanty towns since the beginning.....
Was that hwy 160?
California 🌴 😎 🌞 🐻
Ouch! The very first photo.... Fresno City Hall. Oops!
When there were people living here that had some "class".
Where were all these shacks?
Our best guest is that they are the shacktowns that were around North B and North C streets, like Louie’s Camp. We posted on them a few years ago: facebook.com/ctrsactohistory/posts/pfbid0RVGjR1TnGViqcs2Ydf75SsrpVnnr89kiMmNKifgmxTMgdr3b4v9N31vk9uc6nzF4l
From this film one would believe that Sactown might be a good place to live, but just compare these scenes then to what it has degraded down to now, HOMELESS capital of the world. Can you say "Ghetto" ?
Yup‼ G-G (🪶)