The American Hotel’s bird-spattered remains are historic–but too small to make money

PHOTO by ZACK PIANKO
Across the alley from the new Lennar condos and across Broadway from the historic Middough Brothers-Insurance Exchange Building is an even older building in much worse shape: the former American Hotel property at 221 E. Broadway—where some say there once lived [...]

We got this email from a reader. Perhaps other readers can help?
“For those that aren’t familiar with the subject of this email, I’m referring to 110 W. Ocean Blvd. It’s the old historic building with flags on top that sits on the SW corner of Pine and Ocean. I have an important concern to share [...]

PHOTO by SUSAN SABO
Theo has the scoop on the old Looff’s Lite-a-Line: Surprise! It’s dying a slow death. So with the last remnant of the old Pike all but destroyed, the question is “What’s next?”

Preservationists’ Options for Acres
With no date yet set for the day that doom will come to Acres of Books, Long Beach preservationists—and would-be preservationists—have an opportunity to consolidate opinion. This is notable in the fast-paced world of razing beloved historic structures—Johnie’s Broiler Bulldoze might be the most egregious recent example—and time spent now could buy [...]

And other lessons of the Queen Mary auction

ILLUSTRATION by JOE MCGARRY
The Queen Mary may yet be the object of a bidding war when her lease rights are put up for auction on August 14, but the winning offer may be less a reflection on the value of the old boat than the judgment of Long [...]

Acres of Books, a city historic landmark and one of the most famous used bookstores in the world, could face demolition for condos and art

PHOTO by RUSS ROCA
Bookstore clerk Frank Cotten was in his 80s when he departed this dimension some time around when Clinton took office, and he left behind one amazing statistic: the [...]