South Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Automobile Club Headquarters
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 28, 2024
1. Automobile Club Headquarters Marker
Automobile Club of Southern California. Headquarters building of the pioneer motoring club. Founded 1900. Built in Spanish Colonial style.
Declared Historic Cultural Monument No. 72 by the Cultural Heritage Board, Municipal Arts Department, City of Los Angeles.
Erected 1971 by City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 72.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 34° 1.677′ N, 118° 16.61′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in South Los Angeles. It can be reached from Figueroa Street south of Adams Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Located in the central courtyard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2601 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles CA 90007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Moreton Bay Fig Tree (a few steps from this marker); Automobile Club of Southern California (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Vincent de Paul Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic West Adams (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. John's Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away); Mount St. Marys College (about 700 feet away); Kerckhoff House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Doheny Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Regarding Automobile Club Headquarters. The Automobile Club of Southern California is the local affiliate of the American Automobile Association (AAA). The Auto Club was founded in Los Angeles as one of the nation's first motor clubs dedicated to improving roads, proposing traffic laws, and improvement of overall driving
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 16, 2019
2. Automobile Club Marker
The marker is to the right of the door.
Starting around 1910, the Auto Club sent teams of cartographers to survey the state's roads for the production of maps, and to create a uniform system of road signs. The Auto Club posted thousands of porcelain-on-steel traffic signs throughout the state and continued to do so until the State of California took over the task in the mid-1950s.
This building was completed in 1923. Designed by architects Sumner P. Hunt and Silas R. Burns, the building now serves as a Los Angeles branch office. The club's administrative offices have relocated to Costa Mesa.
Also see . . . History of AAA - Huell Howser special. Hour-long video produced for PBS in 2016 includes historic films of this location. (Submitted on May 16, 2024.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 16, 2019
3. Automobile Club Courtyard
125-year-old Moreton Bay Fig tree is outside the center arch.
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 16, 2019
4. Front of Building
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 16, 2019
5. Historic Road Signs Display
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 28, 2021
6. St Vincent de Paul Church
Located across the street. Built in 1923. Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 90.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 2,374 times since then and 140 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 1, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 12, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on June 10, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
