Downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
San Fernando Building
Photographed By Craig Baker, August 13, 2023
1. San Fernando Building Marker
Erected 1986 by U.S. Dept of the Interior. (Marker Number 728.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 34° 2.88′ N, 118° 14.833′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 S Main St, Los Angeles CA 90013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Woody Guthrie (here, next to this marker); Hotel Stowell (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Title Insurance Building (about 600 feet away); Spring Street (about 600 feet away); Spring Arts Tower (about 700 feet away); Biddy Mason (about 700 feet away); Judson Rives Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Palm Court (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Regarding San Fernando Building.
this page online
J.B. Lankershim (1850-1931), a wealthy wheat farmer and miller whose father owned much of the San Fernando Valley in the late 19th century, hired architect John F. Blee to design the building. Constructed at a reported cost of $200,000, the building opened in 1907 and was considered one of the finest office buildings in the city. The lobby has a 22-foot ceiling, and the exterior is decorated with elaborate cornice work and spandrel panels with an incised diamond motif. Originally a six-story structure, two additional stories designed by Robert Brown Young & Son were added in 1911.
Highlights from the building's early history include:
In 1913 physicians and surgeons formed the city's first cooperative telephone exchange at the San Fernando Building. The system was intended to provide 24-hour communication between doctors and patients, freeing doctors to attend the theater or make an out-of-town trip.
The California Film Exchange, housing film stock from Hollywood's early motion pictures, was located in Unit 110 of the building. In October 1913 a fire broke out destroying some 150 motion pictures. The fire was caused by an overheated
Photographed By Craig Baker, August 13, 2023
2. San Fernando Building Marker
The U.S. Army operated its Los Angeles recruiting station in the San Fernando Building during World War I and World War II. Hollywood actors joined the long service induction line at the San Fernando Building.
Photographed By Craig Baker, August 13, 2023
3. San Fernando Building
Photographed By Craig Baker, August 13, 2023
4. Entry Floor
Photographed By Craig Baker, August 13, 2023
5. Photo in Lobby
Photographed By Craig Baker, August 13, 2023
6. Photo in Lobby - 1915 Postcard
Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 21, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6. submitted on August 22, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
