Where have all the old houses gone?

I've started on a quest for the "old" Downey. This evening I drove down a residential street that I remember has a number of old (think pre-WWII) clapboard houses — and they were nearly all gone! Replaced by what is not-so-affectionately known in Downey as McMansions.

So instead, I ended up on the backside of what used to be known as 1st Street (that is, Firestone Blvd), where I worked at the Sears catalog store after I finished high school. The building is currently home to Downey's Billiards. I love the look of the stairs climbing up the brick wall.

I'll let you know as soon as I find an old house again.