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

Simpson/Jones Building

1894

— El Pueblo de Los Angeles —

Simpson/Jones Building Marker image. Click for full size.

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

1. Simpson/Jones Building Marker

Inscription. In 1870, John Jones bought land formerly owned by Cristobal Aguilar, Mayor of Los Angeles in 1866, and John G. Downey, governor of California in 1860. Jones lost the east side of his property when North Main Street was widened in 1886 and the old adobe house was torn down. Jones’ widow, Doria, built this building for light industrial use in 1894. On her death in 1908, the building was inherited by her daughter, Constance Jones Simpson. The first and longest term tenant was William Gregory Engines, also known as Moline Engines. They were followed by the Soo Chow Restaurant and the Diamond Shirt Company. In 1959, half of the building was changed into a Mexican style bank. The other half was later occupied by La Luz del Dia Restaurant.

Erected by El Pueblo de Los Angeles.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Government & Politics • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 34° 3.421′ N, 118° 14.313′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. It is at

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the intersection of Olvera Street and Paseo de la Plaza, on the left when traveling north on Olvera Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Olvera Street, 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: Olvera Street Cross (here, next to this marker); First Gas Service in Southern California (a few steps from this marker); First Mayor of Los Angeles Under United States Rule (a few steps from this marker); The Founders of El Pueblo de Los Angeles (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Simpson-Jones Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Camero

Simpson/Jones Building image. Click for full size.

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

2. Simpson/Jones Building

The marker is between the window and the door at eye height. This quadrant of the building houses a restaurant. This doorway is labeled W1A Olvera Street, the first door (“A”) on the west side (“W”) of the street at Number 1 Olvera Street.

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Original Pueblo of Los Angeles (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding Simpson/Jones Building. Building faces both Main Street and Olvera Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 564 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 17, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.