The first Brown Derby Restaurant, generally referred to as the "Wilshire Brown Derby", was built in 1926. Designed in part by J.R. Davidson, it measured 28 feet in diameter and 17 1/2 feet in height and was the only one resembling a bowler hat. It was first located at 3427 Wilshire Blvd, across the street from the Ambassador Hotel but in 1937 it was moved one block over to 3347 Wilshire Blvd. The Wilshire Brown Derby was sold in 1975 and in September of 1980 it was torn down and replaced with a strip mall. The original Brown Derby Restaurant located on Wilshire Blvd. at Alexandria Ave., with its large "Eat in the Hat" neon sign atop the dome, November 8, 1937.
Brown Derby Restaurant (Los Angeles, Calif.) Exoticism in architecture--California--Los Angeles Signs and signboards--California--Los Angeles Restaurants--California--Los Angeles Hats--California--Los Angeles Lost architecture--California--Los Angeles Works Progress Administration Collection photographs Davidson, J.R
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