South Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Golden State Mutual Building
Photographed By Craig Baker, November 1, 2021
1. Golden State Mutual Building Marker
Erected 2011 by City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 1000.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.
Location. 34° 1.975′ N, 118° 18.523′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in South Los Angeles. Marker is at the intersection of Adams Boulevard and Western Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Adams Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1999 Adams Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90018, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Engine House Number 18 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rindge House (about 800 feet away); Gramercy Park Homestead (approx. ¼ mile away); Britt Mansion (approx. ¼ mile away); Clark Library (approx. 0.4 miles away); Auguste R. Marquis Residence
this page online
Regarding Golden State Mutual Building. Founded in 1925, Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company was the largest African American owned insurance company in the Western United States and was the first to offer all persons life insurance regardless of race. The company occupied the building from 1949 until 2009 when they became insolvent. In 2015 the building was completely renovated, with its original 1949 appearance restored, and a memorial plaza to architect Paul Williams just north of the building. A new six-level building constructed on the original building's parking lot was added and together both buildings serve as the South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (SCLARC), a non-profit dedicated to serving the developmentally disabled. The original two-story lobby has two murals that represent the history of African Americans in California.
Architect Paul R. Williams (1894-1980) was one of the foremost architects in Los Angeles in the mid-twentieth century. He practiced largely
Photographed By Craig Baker, November 1, 2021
2. Golden State Mutual Building Marker
The marker is to the right of the door.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. - Golden State Mutual’s first headquarters.
Photographed By Craig Baker, November 1, 2021
3. Golden State Mutual Building
courtesy PBS SoCal
4. Paul Williams pointing to a building model
Photographed By Craig Baker, 2017
5. Lobby Mural
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 1, 2023
6. Golden State Mutual Building Marker
“In recognition of Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company,
for Business Entrepreneurship. Example for generations of citizens. 1977.
Erected by the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History in cooperation with the Amoco Foundation Inc.”
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2021. This page has been viewed 822 times since then and 116 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on January 2, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on November 3, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on July 10, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
