Naud Junction (Los Angeles) facts for kids

Naud Junction was a busy area in northern Downtown Los Angeles, California. It was a special meeting point where Main Street and Alameda Street came together. This spot was important because Southern Pacific Railroad trains used it to switch from Alameda Street onto tracks that ran along Alhambra Avenue and the Los Angeles River.

History of Naud Junction

This area got its name from Edouard Naud, a French-American businessman. He built a large building called a warehouse here in 1878. A warehouse is a place where goods are stored before they are moved or sold.

Later, in 1898, a signal tower was built at Naud Junction, specifically at Alameda and Ord streets. A signal tower helps control train movements and keep them safe. This tower was taken down in 1940, after the big Union Station was built nearby.

Exciting Boxing Matches at Naud Junction

From 1905 to 1913, Naud Junction was home to Los Angeles' main boxing arena. A man named Thomas McCarey built this special place for boxing events. Many exciting fights happened here.

The arena hosted important championship matches. These included a world middleweight championship and a heavyweight championship. Famous boxers like Tommy Burns and Marvin Hart fought at Naud Junction. A featherweight championship also took place with Abe Attell and Frankie Nell.

Thomas McCarey once said the best fight he ever saw was at Naud Junction. It was between two amazing boxers, Jack Johnson and Denver Ed Martin. He described it as a fantastic display of skill.

The Naud Junction boxing arena was sadly destroyed by a fire on September 22, 1915.