One of Los Angeles' defining historic sites, the Ambassador fueled development of Wilshire Boulevard and housed the world-famous Cocoanut Grove.

This local landmark has been a site of community-based theatre for over fifty years, and is a rare example of streetcar commercial development in Hollywood.

Sierra Madre established its historic preservation program in 1987 with the adoption of a historic preservation ordinance.  However, in 1997, the City amended the ordinance language to make landmark designation voluntary for property owners, and the following year placed a measure on the ballot to de-list 29 landmarks.  Preservation advocates countered with a legal case […]

This courtyard apartment is one of the only multi-family residences designed by famed builder William Mellenthin.

Long Beach has been reevaluating many of its historic preservation programs, which have been in place for a number of years. On August 18, 2015, the Long Beach City Council rejected a proposed provision that would have allowed owners of historic properties to “opt out” of preservation. Instead council members voted 8-0 in support of “Version […]

One of the key challenges in understanding LGBTQ history is deciphering changes in word choice and language over time. Words that are common among community members and scholars today may have had vastly different meanings (or not existed at all) in the past. We recognize that there are many different interpretations of, and a sensitivity […]