Towering over Exposition Park, what stories could this stoic sentinel tell? This is the Oldest Palm Tree in Los Angeles. It has stood here for over a century. But its story stretches back much further. It began its life in the wild around 1850. As Los Angeles suburbs grew, developers uprooted it. The palm found a new home on San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo.
Later in 1888, the tree was chosen to greet tourists at the Arcade Depot. This was Los Angeles’ Southern Pacific Railroad station. It stood on Alameda Street. Experts estimated it was 65 to 75 years old then. The Arcade Palm became a celebrity. It promised newcomers a romanticized vision of the West.
But the Arcade Depot closed in 1914. The Southern Pacific moved to Central Station. Rather than discard the legendary palm, they moved it to Exposition Park. It was planted on September 5, 1914. The exact spot is debated but it ended up in front of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
This Oldest Palm Tree in Los Angeles is a Washingtonia filifera. It is a California fan palm. It is one of the only palms native to the United States. You might notice a thinning in its trunk. That likely came from the 1947 drought. Its scars and an odd nail tell more silent stories. Gardeners now use cherry pickers. This avoids harming it during frond removal.
Palm trees have become a symbol of Los Angeles. But most are not native. This Oldest Palm Tree in Los Angeles has witnessed the city’s growth. It has seen Spanish, Mexican, and American authorities. If it lasts a few more years, it will have seen three Olympic games. Whether it is truly the oldest or not, it deserves respect. So next time you are here. Take a moment. Think about the journey of this amazing tree. It has moved more than any other palm tree in Los Angeles.