Aerial view of harbor in Wilmington, 1935

LOS ANGELES—The Wilmington waterfront in Los Angeles has grown much since this 1935 photograph. The packed harbor seen in this aerial shot is even busier today. Wilmington was founded in 1857 by Phineas Banning, who was nicknamed the Father of Los Angeles Harbor, according to the official Port of Los Angeles website. The port district writes on its website: “His entrepreneurialism and influence positioned the Port for future success as the maritime and trade center for a rapidly growing west coast city.” Various industries began popping up in and around the port in the early 1900s, with major industries including fishing, canneries, oil drilling and shipbuilding.

Photo courtesy of Photo Collections, Los Angeles Public Library