Tag Archives: Pershing Square
Sixth Street Park (later Pershing Square), downtown Los Angeles circa late 1880s
Yesterday I posted a 1951 shot of Pershing Square after it had been dug up in preparation of the multi-level parking structure that was built under it. In researching that photo, I came across this much nicer, much earlier photo. … Continue reading
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Tagged 1800s, Churches, Downtown Los Angeles, Pershing Square
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Pershing Square dug up for underground parking garage at Hill and 5th Streets, downtown Los Angeles, 1951
This photo is almost painful for me to look at. In 1951, Pershing Square, which had long been considered the center of Los Angeles with its shade trees and lawns and fountain, was ripped up so that a five-level parking … Continue reading
Very high altitude aerial photograph of Los Angeles, circa late 1920s
There are plenty of vintage aerial photos of Los Angeles, but I don’t think I’ve seen one from such a great height as this one taken probably in the late 1920s. That cluster of buildings near the center is downtown … Continue reading
A bird’s-eye view looking north across the newly renamed Pershing Square, Hill St, downtown Los Angeles, 1918
A week after the November 11 Armistice brought World War I to an end, the main public square, which had been known as Central Park since 1894 was renamed in honor of General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary … Continue reading
The Biltmore Hotel under construction as seen from Grand Ave, downtown Los Angeles, circa 1922
The opening of the plush Biltmore Hotel overlooking Pershing Square in October 1923 changed the face of Los Angeles. The city now had a five-star hotel that could compete with the best hotels anywhere in the country and would go … Continue reading
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Tagged Biltmore Hotel, Downtown Los Angeles, Hotels, Pershing Square
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Inside Pershing Square looking toward the corner of Hill and Fifth Streets, downtown Los Angeles, undated
In this photo, we’re treated to a glimpse of how Pershing Square in the middle of downtown Los Angeles used to look back when it was filled with lush, shady greenery. I don’t have a date on this photo, but … Continue reading
A pre-1918 view of L.A.’s Central Park before it was renamed “Pershing Square” in downtown Los Angeles
Bordered by Hill, 5th, Olive, and 6th Streets, Pershing Square has long been considered the center of Los Angeles, but it’s only been called that since November 1918, when it was renamed after General John Pershing, who rose to prominence … Continue reading
Looking west from the southwest corner of Hill and 5th Streets across at Pershing Square, downtown Los Angeles, 1883
In this gently bucolic scene, we’re looking west from the corner of Hill and 5th Streets, downtown Los Angeles, in 1883. That leafy green park is now Pershing Square. Back then the locals called it Los Angeles Park before renaming … Continue reading
Looking west along 5th Street from Hill Street, downtown Los Angeles, 1910
This is one of those photos that makes me want to climb through my computer screen and walk around for a day or two. This was taken in downtown Los Angeles in 1910 on Hill Street looking west up 5th … Continue reading
Central Park (later Pershing Square), downtown Los Angeles, 1909
Until I came across this photo, I didn’t know that Pershing Square had had such a long history of name changes. Originally, it was known locally as St. Vincent’s Park. In 1870, it was officially named Los Angeles Park. In … Continue reading