Downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Simpson/Jones Building
1894
— El Pueblo de Los Angeles —
Photographed By J. J. Prats, December 4, 2018
1. Simpson/Jones Building Marker
Inscription.
Simpson/Jones Building. 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.
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.
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. Marker is at the intersection of Olvera Street and Paseo de la Plaza, on the left when traveling north on Olvera Street. Touch for map.
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Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Olvera Street, Los Angeles CA 90012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding Simpson/Jones Building. Building faces both Main Street and Olvera Street.
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.
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 199 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 17, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.