Miracle Mile, Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Miracle Mile
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Miracle Mile Neighborhood sign
located at the intersection of San Vicente Boulevard & Hauser Boulevard |
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 Miracle Mile
Location in Western Los Angeles
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| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  California |
| County |  Los Angeles |
| Time zone | Pacific |
| Zip Code |
90036, 90019
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| Area code(s) | 323 |
Miracle Mile is a neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, California. It is famous for its "Museum Row" along Wilshire Boulevard. This area is also home to special zones called Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs). These zones help protect the neighborhood's historic buildings.
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Exploring Miracle Mile's Location
Miracle Mile is located in the heart of Los Angeles. Its borders are roughly 3rd Street to the north and San Vicente Boulevard to the south. On the east, it reaches Highland Avenue, and on the west, it extends to Fairfax Avenue.
Major streets that run through Miracle Mile include Wilshire and Olympic boulevards. Other important roads are La Brea and Fairfax avenues, and 6th Street.
The Amazing History of Miracle Mile
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In the early 1920s, the area that is now Miracle Mile was mostly empty land. It had unpaved roads, dairy farms, and bean fields. A smart developer named A. W. Ross saw a great opportunity here. He wanted to create a new shopping and business area that could compete with downtown Los Angeles.
The nickname "Miracle Mile" first appeared in local newspapers in 1929. It described how quickly and successfully this area grew.
How Cars Shaped Miracle Mile
A. W. Ross had a brilliant idea: he designed Miracle Mile for cars, not just for people walking. He wanted drivers to easily access the shops and businesses. Ross introduced many "firsts" in the United States to help traffic flow. These included special lanes for left turns and traffic lights that were timed to keep cars moving.
He also made sure that all stores had their own parking lots. This was a new idea at the time. Ross even required buildings along Wilshire Boulevard to be designed so they looked good when seen from a car driving at 30 miles per hour. This meant bigger signs and longer buildings. These ideas helped create the unique look of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne buildings in the area.
Ross's ideas were very successful and changed how cities were built. He created a new way of designing urban areas around cars. This also helped Los Angeles become known as a city where cars are very important. A statue of A. W. Ross stands at 5800 Wilshire Boulevard. It honors him as the "founder and developer of the Miracle Mile."
Over time, the importance of Miracle Mile as a shopping center changed. This happened as new shopping malls and business districts grew in other parts of Los Angeles. However, the area has become lively again thanks to many museums and tall commercial buildings.
Famous Buildings and Styles
Miracle Mile is home to many interesting buildings. The black and gold Deco Building at 5209 Wilshire is a great example of Art Deco style. It was built in 1929 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The same architects, Morgan, Walls & Clements, also designed other famous Los Angeles buildings.
Here are some notable buildings and businesses that have been part of Miracle Mile's history:
- 6060 Wilshire: Once a Seibu Department Store, now the Petersen Automotive Museum.
- 6067 Wilshire: The historic May Company building, now the Saban Building and home to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
- 5905 Wilshire: Home to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
- 5801 Wilshire: The La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
- 5515 Wilshire: The El Rey Theatre (Los Angeles), a beautiful Streamline Moderne theater.
- 5207–9 Wilshire: The Security-First National Bank building, now known as The Deco Building.
Museum Row: A Hub for Art and Science
Miracle Mile is famous for its "Museum Row." This stretch of Wilshire Boulevard has many amazing museums. These include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Petersen Automotive Museum, and Craft Contemporary. You can also find the George C. Page Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits pavilions here.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is also part of Museum Row. It is located in the former May Company Department Store building. This museum celebrates the history of movies.
Protecting History: Historic Preservation Zones
Miracle Mile has two special areas called Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs). These zones help protect the unique character and historic buildings of the neighborhood.
The Miracle Mile HPOZ covers many properties. Its boundaries are Wilshire Boulevard to the north and San Vicente Boulevard to the south. It stretches from La Brea Avenue to Orange Grove Avenue.
The Miracle Mile North HPOZ mainly includes single-family homes. Most of these homes were built between 1924 and 1941. They have a similar look and size. This zone is located between Gardner and Detroit streets, from Beverly Boulevard to Third Street.
Getting Around: Transportation in Miracle Mile
The Los Angeles Metro's D Line subway is being extended through Miracle Mile. This subway line will eventually reach the Veterans Affairs Hospital.
For a long time, there was a ban on building subway tunnels in this area. This was because of methane gas that could leak from old oil wells. However, new tunneling methods have made it safe to build the subway. Many city leaders supported extending the subway. The project received a lot of funding. New subway stations are expected to open in 2025. These will include La Brea Station, Fairfax Station, and La Cienega Station.
Learning in Miracle Mile: Education
The schools in the Miracle Mile area are part of the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Famous Places and Landmarks
Miracle Mile is home to many well-known landmarks. These include:
- The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- The Petersen Automotive Museum
- SAG-AFTRA (a union for actors and media professionals)
- The El Rey Theatre
- The La Brea Tar Pits
- Park La Brea Apartments
- 5900 Wilshire (a tall office building)
- Ace Gallery (an art gallery)
- The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Other notable spots include Johnie's Coffee Shop, which is often used for movies. Near the border of the neighborhood, you can find the Writers Guild of America, West. Also nearby are the Farmers Market and The Grove, popular shopping and dining spots.
