Chinatown in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Garnier Building
Photographed By Craig Baker
1. The Garnier Building Marker
The Garnier Building was built in 1890 by Philippe Garnier, a French settler who arrived in Los Angeles in 1859 at the age of eighteen. Philippe Garnier and his brothers, Eugene, Abel, and Camille, owned the 4,400 acre Rancho Los Encinos in the San Fernando Valley where they raised sheep. Despite losing a considerable sum of money in the wool market crash in 1872, the Garniers were financially well off and remained influential in local commerce. Philippe Garnier served as a bank director on the Board of the Farmers and Merchants Bank from 1879 to 1891, and is believed to have constructed several other buildings in Los Angeles.
The Garnier Building was designed primarily for Chinese commercial tenants. The rent for the entire building was $200 a month for the first three years. The Garnier Building is the oldest building in Los Angeles exclusively and continuously inhabited by Chinese immigrants from the time of its construction in 1890 until the State took it over in 1953. It was the headquarters of major Chinese American organizations and housed businesses, churches, and schools.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 34° 3.336′ N,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Garnier Building (here, next to this marker); Chinese Massacre (a few steps from this marker); Sun Wing Wo & Company (a few steps from this marker); 425 North Los Angeles Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Chinese American Communities in Los Angeles (within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza Fire House (within shouting distance of this marker); Pico House (within shouting distance of this marker); Merced Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Photographed By Craig Baker
2. The Garnier Building and Marker
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 24, 2019
3. The Garnier Building
courtesy Huntington Library, 1942
4. The Garnier Building
1942, before part of the building was removed to make way for freeway construction. This photo is on display inside the Chinese American Museum in the Garnier Building.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 25, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on July 31, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
