Did you know West Adams is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles? Its history is rich and varied. West Adams boasts stunning architecture and a vibrant cultural scene.
West Adams began its development between 1880 and 1925. Railroad magnate Henry E. Huntington and industrialist Hulett C. Merritt developed it. West Adams quickly became the wealthiest district. Victorian mansions and Craftsman bungalows housed businessmen and professors. These residents were connected to Downtown and the University of Southern California.
The Los Angeles Times noted West Adams’ exclusivity as early as 1906. By 1913 it was a fashionable residential district. In 1916 the area was known for its private parks and handsome homes. The boulevard underwent improvements costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Los Angeles Times predicted the street would become the most splendid boulevard in America.
West Adams’ architecture is diverse. You can find Queen Anne Shingle and Gothic Revival styles. Transitional Arts and Crafts and American Craftsman bungalows are also present. Colonial Revival Renaissance Revival and Mediterranean Revival styles are visible. Spanish Colonial Revival Mission Revival and Egyptian Revival designs add to the mix. West Adams even has the only Greene and Greene house in Los Angeles.
West Adams’ historic homes have served as movie and TV locations. CSI Six Feet Under and The Shield have all filmed here. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Of Mice and Men also used these homes.
West Adams Terrace became a historic preservation overlay zone in 2003. It was platted in 1905. William Miles and Charles McKenzie led the syndicate. They divided the area into 235 lots. Building restrictions ranged from $2500 to $3000.
The Automobile Club of Southern California built its new home here in 1921. It chose the corner of Figueroa and Adams streets. The Spanish-style building featured an octagonal domed lobby. Sumner Hunt and S.R. Burns were the architects.
The Church of the Advent Episcopal broke ground in 1924. It was located at Longwood Avenue in Glen Airy. The brick structure replaced a temporary building.
The Great Depression impacted West Adams. In response a West Adams District Unemployment Relief Committee formed. Men went house to house performing odd jobs. They cleaned painted and repaired homes and yards. Workers earned $2 a day for five hours of work. Funds came from residents within West Adams Street Venice Boulevard Harvard Boulevard and 7th Avenue.
In the 1950s the Harbor Freeway’s construction destroyed many large homes. It particularly impacted the east side of West Adams. The Santa Monica Freeway in the 1960s bisected West Adams Heights.
West Adams suffered during the 1992 Rodney King riots. Stores were looted and buildings were burned. After the riots real estate values fell. Some people moved in while others left.
West Adams was named Neighborhood of the Year by Curbed L.A. in 2015. Over 70 sites in West Adams have been recognized as historic landmarks. These include Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments and California Historical Landmarks. They are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today West Adams is experiencing a renaissance. Stunning houses are being restored. Its rich history and diverse architecture make West Adams a treasure.