Pershing Square, located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles on South Olive Street, boasts a rich and evolving history that mirrors the city’s own transformation. This five-acre space, originally part of the pueblo lands granted to Los Angeles in 1781 by Spain, has served various roles, from a public plaza to a modern urban park, reflecting the changing social and urban landscape of the city. Its story begins in the 18th century and continues to unfold, making it a significant landmark in Los Angeles.
From La Plaza Abaja to Public Park
In 1866, this land was officially designated as a public park, initially named La Plaza Abaja, meaning “The Lower Plaza.” The city began to shape the space into a welcoming area for residents, undertaking improvements in the 1870s that included the planting of cypress and citrus trees. This marked the first steps in transforming the open land into a structured park environment. By the 1880s, city engineer Fred Eaton formalized the park’s layout, creating its first official design and setting the stage for further development.
Beaux Arts Style and a Name Change
As Los Angeles experienced a significant real estate boom in 1910-11, Pershing Square was reimagined in a grander style. Architect John Parkinson, known for his Beaux Arts designs, redesigned the park, imbuing it with a formal and elegant aesthetic. This redesign reflected the city’s growing ambitions and its embrace of sophisticated urban planning. In 1918, shortly after World War I concluded, the square underwent a name change. It was renamed Pershing Square in honor of General John Pershing, the esteemed commander of the American armed forces overseas, commemorating his service and linking the park to a national figure of prominence.
“The Run” and Social Dynamics
From the 1920s through the 1960s, Pershing Square played a unique role in the social fabric of Los Angeles. It became a central point within the 5th Street corridor, known as “The Run.” This area gained notoriety for its proximity to gay-friendly establishments and cruising areas. Bars like If Cafe and the Open Door, along with venues in nearby hotels such as The Grand Avenue Bar at the Biltmore Hotel and the Standard Hotel, contributed to this atmosphere. Beyond Pershing Square, other locations like subway terminal bathrooms and the Central Library also served as cruising sites. Pershing Square’s relatively open and accepting environment attracted a large number of gay and bisexual men, becoming a significant, albeit unofficial, gathering place. Furthermore, the park provided a space for activists to meet and discuss social issues, highlighting its role beyond recreation and cruising.
Underground Parking and Design Shifts
The landscape of Pershing Square experienced dramatic changes in the following decades. The most significant alteration was the construction of an underground parking garage in 1951. This ambitious project fundamentally reshaped the park. The lush landscaping, which had defined Pershing Square for eighty years, was removed to facilitate the garage construction. Trees were then confined to planters, and small flowerbeds were installed, resulting in a much less verdant park. While the parking garage addressed the growing need for parking in downtown Los Angeles, the removal of dense foliage also served as an unintended form of social control. During this period, homosexual sexual contact was largely illegal, and the more open, less secluded design of the park acted as a deterrent to such activities. The construction of access ramps for the garage also physically separated the park from the surrounding streets, contributing to a sense of isolation.
Modern Redesign and Public Art
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Pershing Square suffered from neglect and fell into disrepair. In 1984, in preparation for the Olympics held in Los Angeles, the park underwent a cleaning and replanting effort. However, a comprehensive revitalization was not undertaken until almost a decade later. The current design of Pershing Square is the result of a collaboration between architect Ricardo Legorretta, landscape architect Laurie Olin, and artist Barbara McCarren. This contemporary design incorporates elements of public art that reference the city’s history. These include groves of orange trees, reminiscent of the region’s agricultural past, a stylized earthquake fault, acknowledging Los Angeles’ seismic reality, and a fountain inspired by the aqueducts that supply water to the city, celebrating its engineering feats.
Conclusion
Pershing Square, located on South Olive Street in Los Angeles, has journeyed through numerous transformations, from its origins as pueblo land to its current iteration as a redesigned urban park. Its history reflects the changing priorities and social dynamics of Los Angeles, serving as a witness to the city’s growth and evolution. Today, Pershing Square stands as a testament to the ongoing interplay between urban development, social history, and public space in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.
