Why it's there: Inside the Dining Reservations Office

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Thursday, January 17, 2008
Matt Hochberg

Sometimes it's hard finding some of the unique items featured in this column and this would be one of those hard to find ones this week. You may have visited the Dining Reservations desk at the corner of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards and the office is rather un-interesting. It's themed after a Pacific Electric Train station which were common in Southern California in the 1920's and 1930's.

Inside the booth (where the Cast Members are) are a number of un-themed elements. After all, this is an office really. But tucked away on the back wall of the booth is a framed glass display with some rather interesting pieces on display that most guests never see or pay attention to.

This display is a reference back to the building's theme of a Pacific Electric station where one could buy tickets as well as get information about destinations up and down the line. Similiar to bus stations of today, these stations often had postings of events and things to do that would inform those who were about to travel to these destinations. On the right we see a number of tickets to various destinations in the Los Angeles area. Opposite it we see a hiking guide for the "wonderful mountains of Southern California". There's also a newspaper with some local news, photographs and a cartoon. In addition to all of that is a simple note from one traveler to another, asking "Millie" to call Sam at SU2-6437. One traveler would leave a note for another to be picked up later, knowing that the person they are trying to get a hold of would be passing through sooner or later.