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

Veterans Memorial

Highland Park

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 7, 2023

1. Veterans Memorial Marker

Inscription.
Veterans memorial dedicated May 27, 1974 to all American war veterans.
Erected by Veterans Memorial Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: Military.

Location. 34° 6.915′ N, 118° 11.058′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Highland Park. It is at the intersection of Figueroa Street and York Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on Figueroa Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6152 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles CA 90042, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial 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: York Junction (within shouting distance of this marker); First Electric Power Pole (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Arroyo Seco Branch Library (about 700 feet away); Northeast Police Station (approx. ¼ mile away); Judson Studios (approx. 0.3 miles away); Santa Fe Arroyo Seco Railroad Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Distribution Station No. 2 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Artists & Activists (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding Veterans Memorial. In 1971, a proposal was advanced by a group called the Veterans Memorial Foundation to install a small obelisk at the intersecton

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of York and North Figueroa to honor U.S. veterans. The proposal was widely supported until the idea to replace the obelisk concept with the wing of a B-52 bomber was put forth. The fact that the wing would create an 80-foot monument (the tallest structure in Highland Park), as well as the timing of the United States having only recently ended its 12-year military involvement in Vietnam, resulted in residents vociferously objecting to the overtly militaristic symbol. It was finally decided that the memorial would simply be a large American flag, upon the tallest flag pole in the city (at the time). On Memorial Day in 1974, Veterans Memorial was dedicated.
- from nearby marker York Junction

In 2025 this site was nominated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.

The bronze plaque was stolen and replaced with a replica.

Veterans Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 7, 2023

2. Veterans Memorial

Veterans Memorial Flagpole image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 7, 2023

3. Veterans Memorial Flagpole

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 7, 2023

4. Veterans Memorial

Veterans Memorial Dedication image. Click for full size.

from Dan Contreras, May 1974

5. Veterans Memorial Dedication

My dad, in brown suit, was the head of the foundation for this Veterans memorial. I remember him saying they were going to try to put a B-52 wing at that location. At that time I was flying for the Air Force, so I was excited for the B-52 wing. Very proud of the hard work that went into accomplishing this memorial.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 787 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 7, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4. submitted on July 8, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on July 19, 2023, by Dan Contreras of Bakersfield, Ca..