Mirror Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mirror Building |
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Second Street Mirror Building on the right in 1886.
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| Location | Second Street and 145 S Spring St, Los Angeles. |
| Built | 1858 |
| Designated | July 05, 1960 |
| Reference no. | 744 |
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The Mirror Building was a very important building in Los Angeles. It was also known as the Butterfield Overland Mail Company Los Angeles Building. This large brick building was built in 1858 by the Butterfield Overland Mail Company. On July 5, 1960, the Mirror Building was named a California Historical Landmark (No. 744).
The Mirror Building had offices and places for traveling workers to live. There was also a big stable in the back for the horses. A large workshop was available to fix stagecoachs. The first Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach arrived from St. Louis on October 7, 1858. John Butterfield started the Butterfield Overland Mail Company. He later also started American Express. The Los Angeles Butterfield Overland Mail Company closed in 1861.
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A Home for Army Camels
In 1861, the Mirror Building became the Office of U.S. Quartermaster. This office managed supplies for the army. The stable was used for army horses and mules. It also had space for camels! These camels were part of the experimental U.S. Camel Corps.
Camels in the Desert
From 1858, Fort Tejon was the main spot for the U.S. Camel Corps in the west. The army brought in camels to carry supplies across dry areas in the Southwest. Soldiers found the camels tough and strong. But they were also a bit grumpy! The camels often scared the horses used by the cavalry.
The Mirror Building as City Hall
From 1884 to 1888, the Mirror Building was used as the Los Angeles City Hall. This shows how important the building was to the city.
What's There Now?
Today, the Los Angeles Times Building stands where the Mirror Building used to be. This new building was built in 1935 at 202 West 1st Street. The current Times Building has a small museum. It tells the story of the Mirror Building and other offices that were on the site. The 1947 New Times Building is sometimes called the Mirror Building. This is because it's on the same spot as the original one.
The First Brick School House
The Mirror Building later got its name from the Mirror Printing Office and Book Bindery. This company bought the Los Angeles Daily Times in 1882. The block where the Mirror Building stood was also home to Los Angeles School No. 1. This school was built in 1855. It was the very first brick school house in Los Angeles.
How the School Was Funded
The school cost $6,000 to build. It was paid for by a new California education property tax. This tax started in 1852. It gave schools five cents for every $100 of taxable property value. The two-story school opened on March 19, 1855. It was located at the northwest corner of Spring and Second streets.
Butterfield Overland Mail Routes
The Butterfield Overland Mail route was divided into different sections. Here's a look at some of them:
| Division | Route | Miles | Hours |
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| Division 1 | San Francisco to Los Angeles | 462 | 80 |
| Division 2 | Los Angeles to Fort Yuma | 282 | 72.20 |
Historical Markers
There are special markers at the site to remember the Mirror Building.
- A State Marker on Second Street says:
- NO. 744 THE MIRROR BUILDING (SITE OF BUTTERFIELD STAGE STATION) – The Butterfield Overland Mail Company chose this land in August 1858. They bought it on December 7, 1859. A large brick building with offices and living spaces was finished in 1860. It also had shops and stables in the back. This was the biggest and best-equipped station on the whole route, except for the one in El Paso, Texas.
- A marker placed in 1949 by the Native Daughters of the Golden West says:
- This block is the site of:
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- First brick school house in Los Angeles known as School No. 1, built 1854–1855;
- Butterfield Overland Mail Company office and corral, 1858–1861;
- Office of U.S. Quartermaster, 1861;
- Corral for camels from Fort Tejon, 1861;
- and Los Angeles City Hall, built 1884.
