1
Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis made history in 1927 by completing the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight, covering 3,600 miles from New York to Paris in 33.5 hours. The specially designed, single-engine plane showcased innovative features to maximize fuel capacity and range. This plane was built with steel from a member-owned company, Ducommun Hardware Company,
Charles Albert Ducommun and
Edmund Frederick Ducommun.
2
Amelita Galli-Curci was a renowned Italian coloratura soprano, celebrated for her pure voice and impressive high notes. Debuting in 1906, she quickly became a star, performing with the Metropolitan Opera. Known for her interpretations of Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi, her recordings gained widespread popularity, helping to bring opera to a broader audience. Jonathan Club member
Lynden Behymer served as her manager.
3
The
1910 bombing of the Los Angeles Times building, carried out by union activists amid escalating labor disputes with anti-union publisher
General Harrison Gray Otis, killed 21 people and destroyed the structure.
Otis, a Jonathan Club member and President of the Los Angeles Times, became a central figure in the national conversation surrounding labor conflict. The attack shocked the country, and the ensuing investigation led to the arrest of Iron Workers union members James and John McNamara.
4
In 1920s, the
Los Angeles Steamship Company emerged as a vital player in maritime transport, connecting the bustling ports of Los Angeles with key destinations along the West Coast. It provided an essential service, facilitating trade and travel during a dynamic period in American history, when the demand for shipping was on the rise. The Los Angeles Steamship Company was founded by members:
General Moses Sherman,
Senator Frank P. Flint,
Joseph Sartori,
Harry Chandler.
5
The 1936 film
San Francisco, directed by member
W.S. Van Dyke, is a classic disaster drama set against the backdrop of the 1906 earthquake and fire. Starring
Clark Gable and
Jeanette MacDonald, the film tells a story of resilience, romance, and redemption amid the city's catastrophic destruction. Known for its impressive special effects, dramatic scenes, and MacDonald's famous rendition of the song "San Francisco," the film became a major hit and is remembered as a cinematic tribute to the enduring spirit of the city.
6
The
1912 Grand Excursion to Owensmouth, announced by the
Janss Investment Corporation, was a promotional event designed to showcase the new town in the San Fernando Valley. Marketed as a prime residential and agricultural area, Owensmouth—later renamed Canoga Park—offered affordable land and a promising future.
Peter Janss and his sons
Harold and
Edwin, were members.
7
The General (1926), directed by and starring member
Buster Keaton, is a silent film classic about Johnnie Gray, a Confederate train engineer, whose beloved locomotive is stolen by Union spies. His daring chase to reclaim it showcases Keaton’s skill in physical comedy and elaborate stunts. Initially overlooked, the film is now regarded as one of Keaton’s masterpieces, blending comedy, action, and emotion, and is considered a landmark in cinema history.
8
One of the earliest known views of Los Angeles,
Los Angeles from Fort Hill created by
Charles Koppel, is a sketch that captures the small, rustic settlement. Nestled along the Los Angeles River, rolling hills and open landscapes surround the town, with just a few residents, horse-drawn carts, and agricultural fields visible in the distance. This historic image provides a rare and invaluable glimpse into early Los Angeles, documenting its simple beginnings before the rapid growth that would shape it into a major American city.
