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

Carlos III

1759–88

Photographed by J. J. Prats, December 4, 2018

1. Carlos III Statue

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

King Carlos III of Spain ordered the founding of El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles in 1781. This statue was presented in 1976, in honor of the 200th anniversary of American Independence. It was dedicated in the Plaza by the King and Queen of Spain, Don Juan Carlos I and Doña Sofia on September 30, 1987.

El Rey Carlos III de España ordenó la creación de El Pueblo de la Reina de los Ángeles en 1781. Esta estatua fue ofrecida por España a la ciudad de Los Ángeles en 1976, en celebración del bicentenario aniversario de la independencia americana. Fue inaugurada en la plaza por el rey y la reina de España Don Juan Carlos I y Doña Sofía, el 30 de Septiembre de 1987.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1987.

Location. 34° 3.382′ N, 118° 14.318′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. It is on Los Angeles Street west of North Alameda Street, on the right when traveling south. It is in the Olvera Street plaza. Touch for map.

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Marker is in this post office area: Los Angeles CA 90012, 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 America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Navarro (a few steps from this marker); Rodríguez (a few steps from this marker); Moreno (a few steps from this marker); Plaza Park (a few steps from this marker); Mesa (within shouting distance of this marker); Los Pobladores (within shouting distance of this marker); Quintero (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Spanish Trail (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Carlos III Sculpture image. Click for full size.

1976 bronze by Federico Coullaut Valera. Photographed by J.J. Prats, December 4, 2018

2. Carlos III Sculpture

1976 bronze is 10 feet high on a 3½ foot concrete base.

Carlos III Statue Detail image. Click for full size.

1976 bronze by Federico Coullaut Valera. Photographed by J.J. Prats, December 4, 2018

3. Carlos III Statue Detail

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 27, 2025

4. Carlos III Statue

Original Location: MacArthur Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 10, 2021

5. Original Location: MacArthur Park

“Carlos III, King of Spain 1759-1788, who granted the first municipal charter to the City of Los Angeles in the year 1781, and supported the cause of American Independence. Dedicated and donated to the citizens of Los Angeles by the Nation of Spain, 1976.”

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,374 times since then and 137 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 14, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on July 28, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on October 16, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.