Downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Pico House
El Pueblo de Los Angeles
The hotel was built in the Italianate style, with deep set round-arched windows and doors. The Main Street and Plaza facades were stuccoed to resemble blue granite. The hotel had eighty two bedrooms and twenty one parlors as well as bathrooms and water closets for each sex on each floor. A French chef presided over a large dining room on the first floor. The Pico House was decorated with furniture of the best quality, with walnut pieces on the second floor and lighter woods but still "pleasing to the eye and of good quality" on the third floor. Many of the bedrooms opened into an interior court festooned with vines and birdcages.
The prime period of the hotel was in 1876 when the railroad came to Los Angeles and when Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria stayed there. Unfortunately, Pio Pico was not to profit from his hotel as he lost it to foreclosure in 1880 because of non-payment of debts. The hotel management changed frequently in the ensuing years. Many of the proprietors were of French or Italian origin. Around 1882 a balcony was added to the Plaza and Main street facades and its name was changed for several decades to the National Hotel. The hotel gradually declined and was taken over by the state in 1953. (Marker Number 159.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 9, 1870.
Location. 34° 3.375′ N, 118° 14.374′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. Marker is on North Main Street near Arcadia Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 430 North Main Street, Los Angeles CA 90012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Merced Theatre (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Pico House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Pico House (within shouting distance of this marker); Rosas (within shouting distance of this marker); Vanegas (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Rosas (within shouting distance of this marker); Villavicencio (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Los Angeles Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
More about this marker. This is California Historic Landmark 159.
Also see . . .
1. Pio Pico (1801 - 1894) - Find A Grave Memorial. (Submitted on December 27, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California.)
2. Pico House - Wikipedia. Along with a short article there are several photos of the building. (Submitted on January 2, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,574 times since then and 106 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on December 26, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 2. submitted on February 6, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4. submitted on December 27, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 5. submitted on July 9, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.