Pico House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pico House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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(1875)
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 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | Los Angeles, California |
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| 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 once a fancy hotel! You can find it on North Main Street, right across from the historic Los Angeles Plaza and Olvera Street. It's part of a special area called El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument.
History of Pico House
Building a Grand Hotel
The Pico House was built by Pío Pico. He was a very successful businessman. He was also the last Mexican Governor of Alta California. This was before California became a U.S. state.
Pío Pico wanted to build a super fancy hotel. He wanted it in the growing town of Los Angeles. The architect who designed it was Ezra F. Kysor. He also designed the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana. The hotel was built between 1869 and 1870.
The finished hotel was called Pico House, or Casa de Pico. It had an Italianate style. It was three stories tall and had nearly 80 rooms. It was the most amazing and luxurious hotel in all of Southern California. Its opening was a huge celebration!
The hotel had big windows and a grand staircase. It also had a small courtyard inside. In its best days, this courtyard had a beautiful fountain. It even had a special place for exotic birds. The building is shaped like a trapezoid. Its open side is right next to the Merced Theatre. This forms the courtyard. The back of the hotel faces Sanchez Street. You can still see the large gate there. This gate was used by wagons bringing supplies.
Changes Over Time
The Pico House was very popular for a while. But its time as the top hotel didn't last long. By 1876, the Southern Pacific Railroad connected Los Angeles to the rest of the country. More people and businesses started moving into the city.
Pío Pico himself began to have money problems. He eventually lost the hotel. It was taken over by the San Francisco Savings and Loan Company.
In 1882, the hotel was still very busy. The manager had to get 30 more rooms across the street. People still wanted more space! But soon, the main business area of Los Angeles started to move south. By 1900, the Pico House began to get old and worn down. 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 1992. Today, the ground floor is sometimes used for special exhibits and events.
Pico House as a Landmark
The Pico House is a very important historical site. It is listed as a California Historical Landmark. Its number is 159. It is also a National Historic Landmark. This is because it's part of the Los Angeles Plaza Historic District. Its National Park Service number is NPS-72000231. These titles mean it's a special place that helps tell the story of California and the United States.
