California Historical Landmarks in Los Angeles County facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

California is full of amazing historical places, and Los Angeles County has many of them! These special spots are called California Historical Landmarks. They help us remember important events, people, and buildings from the past. Imagine exploring old homes, famous movie studios, and even places where big events like the first air meet happened! This article will take you on a journey to discover some of these cool landmarks.

Historic Homes and Buildings
Important Historical Sites
Other Interesting Landmarks
Images for kids
See also

Historic Homes and Buildings

Los Angeles County is home to many old houses and buildings that tell stories of early California.

Adamson House: A Beachside Beauty

The Adamson House is a beautiful home right by the beach in Malibu. It was built in 1929 and is famous for its amazing tile work. The house shows off a unique style of California architecture. It's a great place to see how people lived long ago by the ocean.

The beautiful Adamson House in Malibu.

Ygnacio Palomares Adobe: An Old Ranch House

In Pomona, you can find the Ygnacio Palomares Adobe. This adobe house was built in 1837 and is one of the oldest homes in the area. It was part of a large ranch and gives us a peek into life during the Mexican Rancho period.

The historic Ygnacio Palomares Adobe.

Avila Adobe: Downtown Los Angeles' Oldest House

The Avila Adobe is the oldest house still standing in Los Angeles. It was built in 1818 by Francisco Avila. You can find it in the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, a historic area downtown. It's like stepping back in time to when Los Angeles was just a small town.

The Avila Adobe, the oldest house in Los Angeles.

Pio Pico State Historic Park: Governor's Home

Near Whittier is the Casa De Governor Pio Pico, now part of Pio Pico State Historic Park. This was the home of Pío Pico, the last Mexican governor of California. The house shows how important figures lived in the 1800s.

Pío Pico's historic home.

Cecil B. DeMille Studio Barn: Hollywood's Start

In Hollywood, the Cecil B. DeMille Studio Barn is a super important spot for movie history. It was one of the very first movie studios in Hollywood. Famous director Cecil B. DeMille used it to make some of the earliest films. It's now a museum, showing how movies began!

The Cecil B. DeMille Studio Barn, a birthplace of Hollywood.

Ennis House: A Unique Design

The Ennis House in Los Angeles is a truly unique building. Designed by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, it looks like an ancient Mayan temple. It was built in 1924 and has been featured in many movies because of its cool look.

The distinctive Ennis House in Los Angeles.

Gamble House: A Craftsmanship Masterpiece

In Pasadena, the Gamble House is a stunning example of American Arts and Crafts style. Built in 1908, it's known for its beautiful wood, stained glass, and detailed design. It feels like a giant, cozy treehouse!

The beautiful Gamble House in Pasadena.

Lummis Home: A Stone Castle

The Lummis Home in Los Angeles is a fascinating house built by Charles F. Lummis. He built it himself over many years using stones from the Arroyo Seco riverbed. It looks like a small stone castle and is now a museum.

The unique stone Lummis Home.

Pico House: A Grand Hotel

The Pico House is another historic building in the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. Built in 1870 by Pío Pico, it was once the fanciest hotel in Los Angeles. It shows the city's growth and style from long ago.

The grand Pico House in downtown Los Angeles.

Watts Towers: Amazing Art

The Watts Towers in Los Angeles are an incredible collection of 17 sculptures. They were built by Simon Rodia over 33 years, using steel, concrete, and found objects like broken glass and seashells. They are a true work of folk art and a symbol of creativity.

The amazing Watts Towers.

Important Historical Sites

These landmarks mark places where significant events happened or where important things were discovered.

Angeles National Forest: A Natural Treasure

The Angeles National Forest is a huge natural area in Los Angeles County. It's recognized as a historical landmark for its importance in conservation and recreation. It's a place where people have enjoyed nature for centuries.

A view of the vast Angeles National Forest.

Beale's Cut Stagecoach Pass: An Old Road

In Santa Clarita, Beale's Cut Stagecoach Pass is a deep cut through a hill. It was made in 1854 to allow stagecoaches to pass through more easily. It was a vital route for travel and trade in early California.

Beale's Cut, an old stagecoach pass.

First United States Air Meet: Flight History

The site of the First United States Air Meet in Carson is where aviation history was made. In 1910, pilots gathered here to show off their flying machines. It was a huge event that helped kick off the age of flight in America.

A poster from the 1910 Air Meet.

Hancock Park: Ice Age Fossils

Hancock Park in Los Angeles is famous for the La Brea Tar Pits. This is where thousands of Ice Age animals got stuck in natural tar pits over many thousands of years. Scientists have found amazing fossils here, like mammoths and saber-toothed cats!

The La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park.

La Mesa Battlefield: A Battle Site

The La Mesa Battlefield in Vernon was the site of the last battle of the Mexican-American War in California. This battle took place in 1847 and was an important moment in California's history.

A map showing the Battle of La Mesa.

Long Beach Marine Stadium: Olympic Waters

The Long Beach Marine Stadium in Long Beach is a special place for water sports. It was built for the 1932 Olympic Games and is still used for rowing and other aquatic events today.

An aerial view of Long Beach Marine Stadium.

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: Olympic Glory

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a legendary stadium in Los Angeles. It has hosted two Olympic Games (1932 and 1984) and will host a third in 2028! It's a place where many historic sports moments have happened.

The iconic entrance to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Mission San Fernando Rey de España: An Old Mission

The Mission San Fernando Rey de España in Mission Hills is one of California's historic Spanish missions. Founded in 1797, it played a big role in the early development of the region.

Mission San Fernando Rey de España.

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel: Another Important Mission

The Mission San Gabriel Arcángel in San Gabriel was founded in 1771. It's another one of the important Spanish missions that helped shape California. It has a beautiful church and gardens.

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel.

Oak of the Golden Dream: Gold Discovery

The Oak of the Golden Dream in Newhall marks the spot where gold was first discovered in California in 1842. This happened several years before the famous California Gold Rush!

The site of the first gold discovery in California.

Pioneer Oil Refinery: California's First Oil Well

In Santa Clarita, the Pioneer Oil Refinery is the site of California's first successful oil well. It started producing oil in 1876. This landmark shows the beginning of California's important oil industry.

The historic Pioneer Oil Refinery.

St. Francis Dam Disaster Site: A Tragic Event

The St. Francis Dam Disaster Site in Santa Clarita marks a tragic event from 1928. The dam broke, causing a massive flood that killed many people. It's a reminder of the importance of engineering safety.

The St. Francis Dam disaster site.

Temporary Detention Camps for Japanese Americans

During World War II, two sites in Los Angeles County were used as temporary detention camps for Japanese Americans. These were the Pomona assembly center and the Santa Anita assembly center. These places remind us of a difficult time in American history when many innocent people were held against their will.

The Pomona assembly center during construction.

The Santa Anita assembly center.

Well, Alamitos #1: Oil Discovery

In Signal Hill, the Well, Alamitos #1 marks the discovery well in the Signal Hill oil field on June 23, 1921. This discovery led to a huge oil boom and helped shape the economy of Southern California.

The historic Well, Alamitos #1.

Well, CSO 4: Another Early Oil Well

The Well, CSO 4 in Stevenson Ranch is another important site in California's oil history. It was part of the Pico Canyon Oilfield, one of the earliest and most productive oil fields in the state.

Well No. 4 in the Pico Canyon Oil Field.

Other Interesting Landmarks

Beach Boys Historic Landmark: Music History

The Beach Boys Historic Landmark in Hawthorne celebrates the famous music group, The Beach Boys. This is where the band members grew up and started making their iconic surf rock music. It's a cool spot for music fans!

The Beach Boys Historic Landmark.

Christmas Tree Lane: Festive Lights

Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena is a beautiful street famous for its holiday lights. Every year, the deodar cedar trees lining the street are decorated, creating a magical display that has been a tradition for over a century.

Christmas Tree Lane lit up for the holidays.

Glendora Bougainvillea: A Giant Plant

The Glendora Bougainvillea in Glendora is a massive bougainvillea plant that has grown to an incredible size. It's recognized for its age and beauty, showing how amazing nature can be.

The enormous Glendora Bougainvillea.

Manhattan Beach Pier: Ocean Views

The Manhattan Beach Pier in Manhattan Beach is a popular spot for fishing, walking, and enjoying ocean views. Piers like this are important parts of California's beach culture and history.

The Manhattan Beach Pier during a storm.

The Mojave Road: An Ancient Trail

The Mojave Road is an ancient trail that crosses Los Angeles County and into San Bernardino County. It was used by Native Americans, Spanish explorers, and pioneers for centuries to travel across the desert.

Drum Barracks, a starting point for the Mojave Road.

Old Mill: California's Oldest Commercial Building

The Old Mill in San Marino, also known as El Molino Viejo, is the oldest commercial building in California. It was built in 1816 as a grist mill for Mission San Gabriel. It's a beautiful example of early California architecture.

The historic Old Mill in San Marino.

Old Trapper's Lodge: Quirky Art

The Old Trapper's Lodge at Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills is a collection of quirky folk art sculptures. These sculptures depict scenes from the Old West and are a fun, unique landmark.

The unique sculptures at Old Trapper's Lodge.

Paradox Hybrid Walnut Tree: A Special Tree

The Paradox Hybrid Walnut Tree in Whittier is a very special tree. It's a hybrid, meaning it's a mix of two different types of walnut trees, and it grew to an enormous size. It's a landmark that celebrates nature's wonders.

The impressive Paradox Hybrid Walnut Tree.

SS Catalina: A Grand Ship

The SS Catalina was a famous steamship that carried passengers between mainland California and Catalina Island. It was known as the "Great White Steamer" and was a beloved part of California's maritime history. Though it was scrapped in 2009, its memory lives on as a landmark.