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The 500-room Ambassador Hotel, designed by 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. The hotel served as the stomping grounds for Hollywood legends, heads of state, and an endless list of famous personalities. 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. In 1968 Robert F. Kennedy was shot in a pantry off of the Embassy Room following his California Primary victory speech. He died the next day. The death of RFK coincided with the beginning of the hotel's demise. The Schine family 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. Photograph caption dated December 30, 1957 reads "Ohio State University Marching Band holds concert on lawn of Ambassador Hotel as prelude to appearance in Rose Parade in Pasadena Wednesday. Leading musicians are, from left, Jack O. Evans, director; Jack F. Wolfram, vice president of General Motors Corps. who was honored guest, and Larry L. Cory, drum major."
Evans, Jack O Ohio State University.--Marching Band Ambassador Hotel Band directors Automobile dealers College students Drum majors Musicians Men Marching bands Hotels Uniforms Banners Lost architecture Los Angeles (Calif.) Portrait photographs Group portraits
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