West Adams Community
West Adams is a district of Los Angeles stretching from Figueroa on the east to West Blvd. on the west, and from Pico Blvd. on its north side to several blocks south of Jefferson Blvd. on the south. It includes the innovative community restoration project in the Byzantine Latino Quarter; borders an incredible number of museums; is anchored by the University of Southern California and the Staples and Convention Centers; and is minutes away from Downtown.
West Adams was developed between 1900 and 1920 to provide elegant homes to Los Angeles’ entrepreneurial elites. Oils barons, vintners, railroad magnates, and real estate developers hired top architects of their day to create mansions in a variety of styles. Its wealthy residents of the 1920s included lawyers, doctors, oil baron Edward L. Doheny, Port of Los Angeles developer Randolph Huntington Minor, and a host of other prominent Los Angeles citizens.
The 1992 Los Angeles riots largely spared West Adams’ historic buildings. Mirroring changes seen throughout Los Angeles, the district’s Latino population have been growing. The area’s architecture and proximity to USC have brought many upper-middle-class whites as well. Many of the neighborhoods are experiencing a renaissance of sorts with their historic homes being restored to their previous elegance.
Many active residents of West Adams have joined together in block associations to lobby the city for services and to band together to beautify their communities and restore the elegance of their historic homes. See West Adams Heritage Association.
Read more at KCET Online
