“A proud reminder of our city’s history.” That’s what the Pacific Alliance Medical Center’s website says about the Joan of Arc Statue. This statue stands on the front lawn. It connects us to a time when Los Angeles was a small dusty agricultural community. Its population was only 1,500 people.
Let me tell you a bit about this statue’s history. The French Society founded a pre-paid health plan. It was for newly arrived French citizens in 1860. This society understood the growing French community needed a hospital. In 1869, they built the French Hospital. It was at the corner of College and Hill Street. This made it Los Angeles’ first hospital. Today, that hospital is the Pacific Alliance Medical Center.
By the 1900s, the French community welcomed Chinese immigrants. They worked in the railroads and agriculture. The area then became known as Chinatown. The Joan of Arc Statue remained a steadfast presence. It witnessed all these changes.
Bernard Mugnier attributes the Joan of Arc Statue to Adolphe Roberton. Roberton was a student of Fournier. He also created several Joan of Arc statues. These can be found in the Ferry-Capitain religious catalog. Mugnier mentions other locations with similar statues. These include La Grange, Noisy-le-Sec, and Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois.
The Joan of Arc Statue serves as a symbol. It represents the city’s diverse past. It reminds us of the French community’s contributions. It also acknowledges the Chinese immigrants’ role in shaping Los Angeles. It embodies the spirit of resilience and progress. The statue is a landmark. It connects the past with the present. It stands as a testament to Los Angeles’ ever-evolving identity.