Pico House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Pico House
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
The Pico House hotel in 1875.
|
|
 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Location in California
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
|---|---|
| Built | 1869–1870 |
| Architect | Ezra F. Kysor |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Part of | Los Angeles Plaza Historic District (ID72000231) |
| Designated CP | November 3, 1972 |
The Pico House is a really old and important building in Los Angeles, California. It was built when Los Angeles was just a small town. You can find it at 430 North Main Street. It's right across from the historic Los Angeles Plaza, near Olvera Street and the El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument.
Contents
The Story of Pico House
Who Built Pico House?
Pío Pico was a very successful businessman. He was also the last Mexican Governor of Alta California. He decided to build a fancy hotel in the growing town of Los Angeles.
The architect who designed the hotel was Ezra F. Kysor. He also designed another important building, the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana. Construction of the Pico House happened between 1869 and 1870. It opened to welcome guests in a town of about 5,700 people.
What Was Pico House Like?
The Pico House was built in the Italianate style. It had three floors and about 80 rooms in total. It was known as the most luxurious hotel in all of Southern California. Its opening was a huge celebration!
The hotel featured large windows and a grand staircase. There was also a small inner courtyard. In its early days, this courtyard even had a fountain and a collection of exotic birds. The building forms three sides of a shape like a trapezoid. The open side connects to the Merced Theatre, creating the courtyard. The back of the hotel faces Sanchez Street. You can still see the large gate there, which was used by supply wagons.
Changes Over Time
The Pico House was not the most famous hotel for very long. By 1876, the Southern Pacific Railroad connected Los Angeles to the rest of the country. More people and businesses started to arrive in the city.
Sadly, Pio Pico himself began to have money problems. He eventually lost ownership of the hotel to a company called San Francisco Savings and Loan.
By 1882, the hotel was so popular it was often full. The city's main business area then started to move south. Around 1900, the building began to show its age. It was used as a lodging house for many years. Later, the El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument took over the building. Parts of the Pico House were fixed up in 1981 and again in 1992. Today, the ground floor is sometimes used for special exhibits and events.
-
The Pico House stood out in the Plaza area of old downtown Los Angeles in 1876.
-
This is part of the inside of the hotel after it was renovated.
-
This is what the Pico House looks like today.
A Historic Landmark
The Pico House is recognized as a very important historical site. It is listed as a California Historical Landmark (No. 159). It is also a National Historic Landmark as part of the Los Angeles Plaza Historic District.
