South Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Physical Education Building
University of Southern California
| | 1930 | |
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 22, 2023
1. Physical Education Building Marker
Physical Education Building, University of Southern California, erected 1930. Rufus B. Von Kleinsmid, president of the university. William Ralph La Porte, director of the Division of Physical Education. Building committee: Charles E. Seaman, W.F. Cronemiller, William M. Bowen, J.W. Oakley, Warren B. Bovard, Seeley G. Mudd, Gwynn Wilson.
John Parkinson and Donald B. Parkinson, architects. P.J. Walker Company, construction engineers.
Erected 1930 by University of Southern California. (Marker Number 1051.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 34° 1.289′ N, 118° 17.208′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in South Los Angeles. It is on Watt Way just north of Childs Way, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3560 Watt Way, Los Angeles CA 90089, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: USC and the World Wars (within shouting distance of this marker); USC after World War II (within shouting distance of this marker); Annenberg School for Communication
this page online
Regarding Physical Education Building. This building is among the classic buildings on the USC campus, and is USCs oldest on-campus athletic building. It is home to the 1,000-seat North Gym as well as the campus's first indoor swimming facilities.
The North Gym was the USC Trojans men's volleyball and USC Trojans women's volleyball teams' home court from 1970 until 1988. From 1989 to 2006, the North Gym and the Lyon Center split time as the teams' home courts. In 2007, the teams moved to the Galen Center, but use the old venues if the Galen Center is reserved for other events.
Until 2006, the Trojans basketball and volleyball teams held practice in the North Gym.
The North Gym's cozy environment and tight quarters provided one of the most intimidating homecourt advantages
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 22, 2023
2. Physical Education Building and Marker
The marker is to the right of the doors.
The Physical Education building is home to USC's Air Force, Army, and Navy ROTC programs, and has been used as a filming location for many films, including Love & Basketball, and Swimfan.
In 2013 the Physical Education Building was declared Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 1051.
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 22, 2019
3. Physical Education Building
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 593 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 7, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on April 1, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
