Downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Plaza Substation

1903-4

Photographed By Craig Baker, August 25, 2018

1. Plaza Substation Marker

Inscription. The largest and most significant of the fourteen substations in the city, this brick power-transforming plant was built by the Los Angeles Railway Company to convert electricity from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) so as to provide power for the operation of the city's yellow trolley cars. The electric street car system ceased operating in 1963, thus bringing to a close the city's finest system of public transportation.

Erected by El Pueblo de Los Angeles.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list.

Location. 34° 3.418′ N, 118° 14.27′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Alameda Street and Los Angeles Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. Placita de Dolores Time Capsule (a few steps from this marker); Antonio Aguilar (within shouting distance of this marker); Avila Adobe (within shouting distance of this marker); The Indians of Southern California

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Biscailuz Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Damien Marchessault (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Avila Adobe (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

More about this marker. The Plaza Substation is part of El Pueblo/Olvera Street, but the marker does not face the central courtyard. It faces Alameda Street.

The building today houses electrical equipment for nearby businesses, and it is not open to the public.

The Plaza Substation was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Also see . . . El Pueblo de Los Angeles. (Submitted on August 28, 2018.)

Photographed By Craig Baker, August 25, 2018

2. Plaza Substation Marker

Plaza Substation image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, August 25, 2018

3. Plaza Substation

A window covering hand-carved by local artist Jackie Hadnot in 2016.

Photographed By Craig Baker, August 25, 2018

4. Plaza Substation

Photographed By Craig Baker, December 15, 2020

5. Plaza Substation

Another window cover, hand-carved by local artist Jackie Hadnot in 2020.

Plaza Substation - West Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, January 4, 2021

6. Plaza Substation - West Side

Olvera Street and Plaza Substation image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, January 4, 2021

7. Olvera Street and Plaza Substation

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 678 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on December 24, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6, 7. submitted on January 18, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.