Located at 5440 Hollywood Boulevard, the Bagley Mortuary was one of two funeral homes within the same few blocks (the other being Strothers’ at 6240).

5440 was a 2-story, brick structure with a basement, designed by architect Henry G Grimwood of May & Grimwood for Harry M. Haldeman in June 1916. It had retail space on the ground floor and offices above.

The Eastern half of the Halderman building was leased by Jesse T. Smith, an embalmer with many years experience, and his brother-in-law Warren Leslie for the Smith & Leslie mortuary, which opened on September 11, 1916. It had a private family room, restrooms, an office, morgue and chapel on the main floor. The basement served as a showroom. “Throughout their entire establishment Messrs. Smith and Leslie have gone to a great deal of trouble and expense to make it as home-like as possible,” the Hollywood Citizen-News wrote on September 6, 1916. The “lady attendant” was Mrs. F. K. Paul.

Ad for Smith & Leslie, Hollywood Citizen News 9/15/1916

If you were dead in Hollywood, Smith & Leslie was the place to be seen. But the partnership did not last long. In July 1917, Smith took out an ad in the local paper to announce that he was now the sole owner of the establishment and would continue under his own name.

Hollywood Citizen News 7/6/1917

By August 1919, the firm was known as Smith & Dayton. A year later, Leroy Bagley (also spelled Leroy) had become the partner.

Bagley had come to Los Angeles with his wife from Nebraska. He was here by 1909, when he he listed his occupation as casket finisher.

Bagley in the 1910 Los Angeles City Directory.

The Smith-Bagley partnership lasted through 1921. In 1922, possibly due to financial troubles on Smith’s part, Bagley became the sole owner. Bagley, too, would take on a family member as an employee- his younger brother Clarence.

Hollywood Citizen News 10/24/1925

That might be the Bagley Mortuary on the left center of this view of the 5400 block of Hollywood Boulevard, which the Los Angeles Public Library dates to c. 1935. The Hotel Rector (5447 Hollywood Boulevard), opened 1924, is on the right. The Hollywood Western Building (1928) can be seen on the southwest corner of Hollywood & Western, and the St. Francis Hotel (1927) at 5533 Hollywood Boulevard in the distance.

I don’t understand the reference to 7 miles, specifically but ok. Hollywood Citizen News 11/23/1935

Bagley’s mortuary was at 5440 Hollywood Boulevard into August 1937. In October 1937, he reopened at 5961 Santa Monica Boulevard, conveniently located across the street from the Hollywood Cemetery. He continued at this new location for two more years before retiring.

New location of Leroy Bagley Mortuary. LA Times 10/7/1937

In December 1939, Bagley’s contemporary competition, Pierce Brothers, took over 5961 Santa Monica Boulevard.

Hollywood Citizen News 12/15/1939.

Hollywood Citizen News 12/16/1939

5440 Hollywood Boulevard had a variety of uses after Bagley departed. It has been demolished.