LA City Hall, 1927-

1926, View of excavation work for the construction of Los Angeles City Hall, showing the Los Angeles County Courthouse and Hall of Records in the background. Thank you to Los Angeles Relics.  

1927, the view looking east shows newly poured footings for the new City Hall building, as seen from the Hall of Records. At the upper-left corner can be seen two iconic LA buildings built in the late 1800s and located at Main and Market streets: Amestory Building and the U.S. Hotel.  Thank you to Water & Power.

1927, Preparation of the site for construction of Los Angeles City Hall. In the background stand the old County Courthouse and the Hall of Justice to its right.  Thank you to Water & Power.  

Word has it that my grandfather drove a truck that delivered materials, including cement.  Who knows? 

1927, Los Angeles City Hall under construction.  Thanks to Los Angeles Relics.  Posted Saturday, September 14, 2024.

1927, Los Angeles City Hall begins to take form @ 200 North Spring Street.  Thank you to Water & Power.

1927, Los Angeles City Hall during construction (1927)

In 1927, Los Angeles City Hall was nearing completion, rising proudly above the city skyline as the tallest building in Los Angeles at the time. The steel framework of the building reflected the ambitious construction projects of the 1920s, as Los Angeles rapidly expanded both outward and upward. Once finished, City Hall would become the centerpiece of the city's government and an iconic symbol of civic pride. Its construction represented the city’s transition from a regional outpost to a major American metropolis, setting the stage for the rapid growth and development that would define Los Angeles in the 20th century.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles, USA.

1928, City Hall under construction as seen from the upper terminus of Angels Flight at 3rd and Olive.  Thank you to Water & Power.

1928, View showing the nearly completed City Hall building as seen from Weller Street (now Onizuka Street, Little Tokyo).  Metal scaffolding can be seen in place near the base of the tower. On the left can be seen the Salvation Army.

1929, Airplane flying over the Los Angeles City Hall.  Thanks to Historic Los Angeles for the picture.

1931, Looking south on Main Street across Temple at the old Federal Building/Post Office and City Hall.  Ornate 5-lamp streetlights can be seen in front of the Federal Building.  (Click here to see more in Early Streetlights of LA.)  Thanks to the Water and Power Museum. 

1930, Los Angeles fire engines with City Hall in the background, circa 1930.  Thank you to Kevin Fleming.

1938, Los Angeles City Hall.

In 1938, Los Angeles City Hall stood as the tallest building in the city, a beacon of civic pride and Art Deco architectural style. Completed in 1928, the 32-story building became a central figure in the city’s skyline, symbolizing the growth and modernization of Los Angeles during the early 20th century. During this time, the City Hall not only served as the headquarters for the city’s government but also became a frequent backdrop in film and television, becoming an iconic part of L.A.’s cultural and political landscape.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles, USA.

1948, Downtown street scene with a Los Angeles Railway streetcar passing the Hall of Records on Broadway with City Hall prominently in the background.  Thank you to Forgotten Los Angeles. 

1949, Los Angeles.  Thank you Brian Washington.

1950s, The original Taix @ 321 Commercial Street, Downtown Los Angeles, CA.  Thank you to Jason Horton. 

1950s, Downtown Los Angeles.  Thank you to Lynn Thompson.  Posted Saturday, September 24, 2024.

1954, Los Angeles City Hall on New Year’s Eve (1954).  On New Year’s Eve in 1954, Los Angeles City Hall stood illuminated against the night sky, its iconic tower dominating the downtown skyline. City Hall, completed in 1928, had been the tallest building in Los Angeles for many years and served as the center of the city’s government. As the clock struck midnight, Angelenos celebrated the arrival of the new year, with the building’s lights symbolizing the hope and progress of a rapidly growing metropolis.  Thank you to the Historical Los Angeles USA.