“ PLAN FOR PROGRESS “ 1960S INCEPTION, CONSTRUCTION OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA PEDESTRIAN MALL XD72414

Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website “Plan for Progress: The Story of Pomona’s Mall” is a mid 1960s color documentary that chronicles the story of the Pomona Mall in downtown Pomona, California. Produced by the Pomona Public Library, the Pomona Mall was hailed as one of the first pedestrian malls in the United States and nationally recognized as a blueprint for urban revitalization. It was completed in 1962 and designed by Millard Sheets, a noted artist, teacher, and architectural designer. Sheets was one of the earliest of the California Scene Painting artists and helped define the art movement. The film was written and directed by Allen E. Peck, and follows the various stages of the project from inception and design to breaking ground and hosting civic events along the walkway. Opening credits overlaid architectural renderings Pomona Mall (0:10). Ygnacio Palomares Adobe on Rancho San José framed by trees (0:44). Blacksmith stands in front of open doorway of old smithing workshops, hammers at horseshoes (1:10). Construction site: maze of cranes, bulldozers, scaffolding, moving supplies (1:27). Members of Planning Committee gather around table to review architectural plans for Pomona Mall (1:50). Aerial view of Pomona’s central business district (2:08). Riding down downtown commercial street, Christmas decorations hang across light poles overhead (2:14). Montage of empty storefronts: barber, thrift shop, bar, hotel (2:20). Close-up details of storefront facades: scratched key holes, chipping paint, rotting wood (2:32). Planning committee, predominantly men in suits, stand around Ad Hoc Architectural model of Pomona’s downtown district (2:50). Color illustrations of downtown district concept (3:06). 1950s automobiles parked in outdoor parking lot, shadow of mid-century building falls on cars (3:50). Sign for Millard Sheets architectural firm (4:18). Close-up Millard Sheets against blue background (4:48). Breaking ground: wrecking ball swings from crane into bank building; crowds gather below with signs in front of mall (4:51). Planning committee and various local government officials speak to crowd from podium (5:34). Pomona Mayor James Baker operates Caterpillar bulldozer down 2nd street, clears gravel and debris (6:06). Dug up 2nd street: pick-up truck and other construction vehicles parked along uneven muddy road (6:36). Architect operates perhaps theodolite on construction site (6:58). Barrel of cement truck spins (6:59). Men work on filling planters made of native stone and cement cement (7:03). View of street with some progress made: debris cleared, flat, fresh surface; side of building with ad for United California Bank in frame (7:30). Close-up men at work on one of the planters (7:44). Men work in sun spreading gravel and concrete to create sidewalk (8:00). Sign for Home Savings and Loan on side of building (8:11). Millard Sheets works on mosaic of woman at entrance to Pomona Mall (8:27). Bronze statue of perhaps herring unveiled and added to mall walkway (9:16). Plaque listing patrons of Pomona Mall West (9:35). Aerial view of completed pedestrian mall, manicured trees in plant boxes, smooth cement walkway - woman walks with baby stroller down center of walkway (9:51). Bronze gazelle statue (10:06). Completed mosaic at entrance gate framed by native stone and cement pillars (10:13). Bronze dolphin statue “dives” into fountain, another completed mosaic (10:27). Rotating sign for Buffums’ department store, view of department store building (10:41). Aerial view of rows of long picnic tables with gingham tablecloths along the mall walkway, tables filled with police officers, towns people, and civil servants (11:19). Pomona’s mayor and other officials speak to crowd from podium, American flag waves in background (11:32). City official drives golf cart down roadway with Miss Pomona pageant queen sitting beside him in pink dress (12:06). George Stone (Chairman of Vehicle Parking District Number 1 for the mall) speaks to camera from 2nd street walkway - discusses return on investment for mall project (12:29). Mayor James Baker stands beside illustration of future buildings to be added to outdoor mall project (13:20). Grayson Brian (Chairman of the Mall Committee) speaks to camera about process of designing and making project come to life (14:28). Pomona Mall illuminated by lights of businesses at dusk (15:33). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit