Wholesale District, Los Angeles facts for kids
The Wholesale District in Downtown Los Angeles is an area where many warehouses and storage buildings are located. It doesn't have exact borders, but it's mainly found near the BNSF and Union Pacific Railroad train tracks. These tracks run next to Alameda Street and the Los Angeles River. This area is also known as Central City North on the city's zoning maps.
Long ago, Los Angeles Street was seen as the main part of the Wholesale District. Over time, it grew south along this street and a bit to the north. More warehouses were built on Alameda Street. There were even plans for a new center at First and Alameda, but it never happened. Buildings for storage also appeared on San Pedro Street and Central Avenue. By 1990, the district was described as being between San Pedro Street, the Los Angeles River, First Street, and the Santa Monica Freeway.
In the past, the district faced challenges. Fires were common, sometimes caused by electrical problems or even on purpose.
The Original Center
Early Growth (1898–1902)
The main "wholesale business quarter" of Los Angeles was around First and Second streets on Los Angeles Street. Many new buildings were constructed here. For example, the Davenport Company, which sold farm tools, got a new building. The American Notion building and the E.P. Bosbyshell building also went up. A three-story building was built for the Standard Woodenware Company and John Wigmore and Sons Company. It was considered one of the best wholesale buildings in Southern California.
Expanding East (1910-1911)
More construction happened, like the six-story W.H. Perry Building and the H.W Hellman building on Second Street in 1910. People expected the district to grow eastward. In 1911, plans were made for a large building on East Fourth and Wall streets, specifically for printing and publishing businesses. Many companies, like P.H. Mathews Paint Company and Golden State Shoe Company, moved into their own new buildings on Los Angeles Street.
In September 1911, a five-story building was planned for Second and Alameda streets. It was meant for Haas-Baruch and Company, one of the biggest wholesale grocery companies in the West.
Southern Spread (1912-1913)
By 1912, warehouse buildings had spread further south on Los Angeles Street. A very large lease was signed for a seven-story building between Seventh and Eighth streets. The Los Angeles Times newspaper called it "another link in the chain of modern fireproof buildings."
In 1913, David Hewes, a landowner, planned to expand the district even more. He wanted to build twelve stores on Los Angeles Street and six more on Santee Street. He believed the new Panama Canal would bring more trade to Los Angeles, helping his project succeed. His Hewes Market at Ninth and Los Angeles was already a very busy spot. Many auto repair shops and machine shops were also located on Los Angeles Street.
Dry Goods Hub (1917)
By 1917, the area of Los Angeles Street between Seventh and Eighth streets became the main spot for wholesale dry goods and clothing. It was also a center for light manufacturing. A big project was announced to build two ten-story fireproof buildings at Seventh and Santee streets.
Modern View (1992)
In 1992, the Warehouse District was described as an area of cinder block and sheet metal buildings. It stretched from San Pedro Street to the Los Angeles River and from First Street to the Santa Monica Freeway.
District Expansion
First and Alameda Area
Early Plans (1898–1899)
In 1898, a businessman named A.E. Weeks planned a new wholesale center. It would cover four blocks near Alameda Street, between First and Jackson streets. He bought properties from many owners for a large sum of money. The idea was to build modern business blocks for wholesale companies. The Southern Pacific Railroad would have easy access for loading and unloading goods. This plan was inspired by a similar project in St. Louis, Missouri. It aimed to help Los Angeles businesses compete with San Francisco. The plan would also remove many small homes and apartment buildings.
However, a Los Angeles Times article in 1899 argued against the project. It said the best place for a new district would be between the Southern Pacific's Arcade Depot and the Santa Fe depot. The plan eventually failed because it was hard to get enough money for it.
New Growth (1905)
By 1905, the cost of property on Los Angeles Street increased. This led to the Wholesale District expanding along East First and Alameda streets. The Santa Fe Company also helped by building a new train track on Banning Street.
San Pedro Street
Widening the Street (1904)
In 1904, the City Council decided to widen San Pedro Street to eighty feet. This was done to help businesses grow, as Los Angeles Street was becoming too crowded. This project meant that some old buildings had to be removed.
One of these was a historic two-story home owned by Mrs. M.A. Woodworth. It was known for its beautiful grounds and a large magnolia tree. An old adobe house, built by the Lugo family over 100 years ago, also had to be sacrificed.
Main Artery (1925)
By 1925, San Pedro Street was seen as the "principal north and south artery" of the wholesale district. A six-story building was finished at East Sixth Street for the City Towel Supply Corporation. Parts of it were leased to wholesale and manufacturing companies.
Central Avenue
Large Projects (1905)
In May 1905, a very large wholesale and jobbing plant was planned. It would cover a whole city block, bounded by East First Street, Jackson Street, North Central Avenue, and Alameda Street. It would have two four-story brick buildings.
In August 1905, the Los Angeles Herald reported that the Wholesale District had grown beyond Los Angeles Street. A two-story building was completed on Central Avenue between Second and Third streets. It was for Simon Levi, a produce dealer, and the California Door and Sash Company. This showed the high quality of new buildings near the Central Market.
Coca-Cola Plant (1936)
A Coca-Cola bottling plant was built at 1334 South Central Avenue in 1936. It was designed to look like an ocean liner.
Third Street Area
Farther East (1912)
In April 1912, the Wholesale District's boundaries spread even farther east. Plans were announced for the city's largest fireproof warehouse. It was to be built by F.W. Braun on Avery Street, between Third Street and Stephenson Avenue.
Fires in the District
The Wholesale District's history includes many significant fires, especially in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Early Blazes (1898)
In May 1898, a fierce fire gutted the Germain Building, which housed a department store. The Pacific Crockery and Tinware Co. store next door was also heavily damaged. The fire started in a pile of excelsior used for packing. Firefighters had to call every company in the department, a rare event. The heat was so intense that firefighters couldn't enter the building. They had to spray water from nearby rooftops. Part of a wall collapsed, but luckily no firefighters were hurt. The fire spread, destroying the crockery store's stock.
Coffee and Arson (1904-1906)
In February 1904, George Stoll & Company, a wholesale coffee business, had a fire. It started from sparks or a cigar, but firefighters quickly put it out. Another fire from an overheated coffee roaster happened at the R.L. Craig Co. nearby.
In February 1906, a fire broke out at Standard Woodenware. It was suspected that someone started it on purpose. Firefighters were slow to arrive because they were fighting another fire. Two night watchmen were found sleeping inside.
Later in June 1906, a large fire severely damaged the Holbrook, Merrill and Stetson Hardware Company building. Five fire companies responded to the blaze.
Tragic Fire (1906)
On December 29, 1906, Ladderman Adolph Hermanson died while fighting a massive fire at the Cohn, Goldsmith & Co. building. The building, filled with wooden goods, was not fireproof and was completely destroyed. Nearby businesses were also damaged.
Recurring Fires (1907-1909)
In 1907, a fire almost destroyed a building occupied by the P.H. Mathews Paint Company. A water tower on the block helped save other buildings. The fire started on a lower floor and shot up an elevator shaft. The fire chief quickly called for more help, which saved the surrounding buildings. It was noted that this block, in the heart of the district, had seen four serious fires in five years.
In June 1908, a fire started on the top floor of the Phillips Printing Company. It seemed to be from crossed electrical wires. The fire was so hot that firefighters had to work in teams. The contents of the building, including a city directory manuscript, were feared lost.
In April 1909, strong winds spread a fire at the Zellerbach Paper Company headquarters. The "heart of the great wholesale district was in danger." A large fire wall helped limit the damage to the Zellerbach building. A crowd of 15,000 people gathered to watch. Five firefighters had a close call when flames swept over them. One fireman, Oscar Jones, escaped by sliding down a fire hose, to the cheers of the crowd.
Later Fires (1921-1967)
In March 1921, a huge fire sent "a mighty shaft of flame" into the sky. It destroyed a warehouse belonging to the Pacific Wood and Coal Company. Carloads of coal, coke, wood, and other supplies were lost. Firefighters escaped injury when a burning wall collapsed on them.
In December 1966 and January 1967, three fires broke out within four nights in the Mission Road area. Businesses like Charles Weinreich Ltd. and Empire Bag and Carton Company suffered losses. The Wilbur-Ellis chemical fertilizer company building was destroyed. These fires were suspected to have been started on purpose.
Explosion
In 1997, an explosion happened at the Imperial Toy Corporation factory. This building, built in 1913 by Henry Ford as his first California auto plant, was significantly damaged. Several people were injured in the incident.
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Images for kids
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This six-story building for the publishing industry was planned for the heart of the District at East Fourth and Wall streets in 1911
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A massive fire destroyed the P.H. Mathews building in May 1907
