Photograph was edited for publication purposes. The massive 500-room Ambassador Hotel, designed by renowned architect Myron Hunt, opened for business in 1921 on the site of a former dairy farm. It occupied 23.7 acres at 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, bordered by 8th Street, Catalina Street, and nearly to Mariposa Avenue. The hotel served as the stomping grounds for a staggering list of Hollywood legends, heads of state, and an endless list of famous personalities from the 20th Century. It is said that as many as seven U.S. Presidents stayed at the Ambassador, from Hoover to Nixon, along with heads of state from around the world. A pivotal moment in world history happened in 1968, when Robert F. Kennedy was shot in a pantry off of the Embassy Room (and died 25 hours later), following his California Primary victory speech. The death of RFK coincided with the beginning of the hotel's demise. The Schine family had owned the Ambassador for about 50 years, until its doors were closed on January 3, 1989 after 68 years of service, selling for $64 million. The landmark hotel was eventually demolished between late 2005 and early 2006. A model in a nightgown strolls down the ramp as strains of "Did You Ever See a Dream Walking" open the May Co.'s fashion show in the Cocoanut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel. A capacity audience, surrounded by an Americana theme of decorations, watched September 16, 1953, as the creations of America's top designers paraded before them. Proceeds of the benefit were to aid the Childrens Hospital through the auspices of the Beverly Hills Auxiliary.
Ambassador Hotel Cocoanut Grove (Los Angeles, Calif.) Fashion shows--California--Los Angeles Models (Persons)--California--Los Angeles Hotels--California--Los Angeles Nightclubs--California--Los Angeles Lost architecture--California--Los Angeles Los Angeles Evening Herald Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs Hunt, Myron,1868-1952 Children's Hospital of Los Angeles May Company California
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