Still splendid more than 100 years after its 1893 opening, its magical light-filled Victorian court, open cage elevators, marble stairs, and ornate iron railings make this one of downtown's most photographed icons.

Learn the histories of Union Station and Chinatown through the stories of women who worked or lived there.

Claremont is an example of a city with an alternate approach to preservation. It has a historic preservation program, yet no true historic preservation ordinance. The city’s historic preservation program developed in the late 1960s, before a standard model with a historic preservation ordinance was common. The city started its first survey of historic resources in 1980 […]

Covina established a historic preservation ordinance in 1997, which allows for the designation of individual landmarks.  The ordinance does not establish the ability to designate historic landmarks, and the designation of individual landmarks requires owner consent.  However, the City has not been active in the use of its historic preservation ordinance and has not yet designated […]

Culver City established its historic preservation ordinance in 1991. That same year, the city adopted its historic resource survey, which led to the simultaneous designation of over 100 historic structures and three historic districts. Not all of the designated sites are protected, however, as Culver City created a three-tiered approach to its landmark designations. The […]

Hermosa Beach established a historic preservation ordinance in 1998 specifically to designate and protect the Bijou Theater. However, the Historic Preservation code identifies two additional buildings that require preservation design review for any proposed changes: the Bank of America building at 90 Pier Avenue and the Hermosa Hotel building at 20-26 Pier Avenue. The ordinance does not establish the […]

Lawndale does not currently have a historic preservation ordinance. However, the City adopted the Mills Act property tax abatement program in 2010 as a way to encourage and incentivize historic preservation. While no formal survey of architectural resources has been conducted, a list of 32 identified significant properties was compiled in 1983 by the City’s […]

Pasadena has many protections in place for its historic resources. The city became a Certified Local Government in 1986, indicating its strong commitment to a professionalized preservation program. Pasadena has a strong historic preservation ordinance and has designated over 100 local landmarks and several historic districts. The city does not require owner consent to designate […]

Redondo Beach’s commitment to historic preservation is easy to see in this South Bay city, where historic structures from the city’s early days as a seaside resort community continue to shape its character. The city has been a Certified Local Government since 1990 and has a variety of protections and incentives available as part of […]

Following several years of preparation and the input of residents and preservation advocates, the City of San Marino passed a new historic preservation ordinance on April 11, 2018, marking a major milestone for preservation in this 3.7-square-mile city in the San Gabriel Valley.  The new ordinance went into effect on May 11. The new ordinance […]