Los Angeles is a city with a rich history. If you’re interested in learning more about the city’s past, then you need to check out some of its historical sites. 

From the La Brea Tar Pits to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, there are plenty of places in LA that will give you a glimpse into its storied past. In this blog post, we’ll take a tour of some of the most popular historical sites in LA!

The Doheny Mansion

The Doheny Mansion, commonly known as the Greystone Mansion, is located in Beverly Hills, California’s Trousdale Estates. It’s a beautiful Tudor Revival home set on a manicured estate and surrounded by characteristic English gardens.

For more than 60 years, oil baron Edward L. Doheny owned the estate and lived there with his family. Though it is now a city park with the designation National Register of Historic Places. This 46,000 sq. The ft. mansion has 55 rooms and a total contiguous area of 16 acres, all of which are available to the public. 

You can take a guided tour of the mansion which includes the entry hall, living room, music room, and more. The tours are led by docents who are knowledgeable about the history of the estate and the Doheny family.

The descending staircase within the home is also one of Hollywood’s most iconic sets. The cost of construction is another motivation to visit the Greystone Mansion. It was formerly the most costly residential structure in California, costing $4 million to construct.

Catskills West (a theatrical arts and drama camp), the Beverly Hills Flower & Garden Festival, and the Annual Hollywood Ball are all held on the grounds of the estate.

Griffith Park 

Griffith Park, located at the eastern edge of the Santa Monica Mountains, is a 4,310-acre jewel in the city’s crown.

The park was named after Colonel Griffith J. Griffith who donated the land to the city in 1896. He originally purchased the Rancho San Rafael from Zorro creator Francisco López for $200 an acre with the intention of developing it into a resort.

It is the second-biggest city park in California and one of the largest urban parks in North America, thanks to its massive size. It dates from a time when the Southland was home to solely Native Americans, many years before the city’s construction began.

The park is home to the Griffith Observatory, which offers stunning views of the city and was used as a filming location for several movies, including Rebel Without A Cause, The Terminator, and Transformers. The Hollywood Sign is also located in Griffith Park.

Not only does Griffith Park include man-made attractions, but it also has mountains, canyons, and 50 miles of hiking trails. The trek up to the park’s highest peak, 1,625-foot Mount Hollywood, and 50 years old abandoned and pristine area with abundant Flora and Fauna are two of the best things to do here.

Heritage Square Museum 

The Heritage Square Museum is an open-air architecture complex with eight locally and nationally listed historic buildings and houses from around Los Angeles. 

It is a living history museum that exhibits the tale of Los Angeles from 1850 to 1950, as well as the city’s remarkable growth. The Victorian homes that make up the museum were saved from demolition and relocated to their current location.  It is without a doubt one of Los Angeles’ most well-known historic sites.

Heritage Square Museum is one of the places where you may learn about the history, culture, and architecture of Los Angeles and South California. The Palms Depot, Longfellow-Hastings Octagon House, John J. Ford House, Mt. Pleasant House, Carriage Barn, The Salt Box, Valley Knudsen Garden Residence — Shaw House, Lincoln Avenue Methodist Church, and the Hale House are among the historic structures here. 

The architectural village will make you nostalgic and transport you back in time in a nice manner. Not to be missed are a historic train car and a trolley car at the location.

El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument 

The El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument is one of the city’s splendors, located in the city’s oldest sector, a historic area. The historic plaza is the focal point of the Los Angeles Plaza Historic District.  It is a large open space that has been used as a public gathering place for centuries.

The plaza was once the site of the Tongva village of Yaanga and served as the social, political, and economic center of the region. The first church in Los Angeles was also built here.

It is included on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the list of state historical monuments. In the year 1781, the first colonists of Los Angeles arrived in this vibrant region. 

The Italian American Museum, the Sepulveda House, the Pelanconi House, the Eugene Biscailuz Building, and other fascinating museums may be found here, as well as the Plaza Methodist Church, Old Plaza Firehouse, La Placita Church, and others.

The Bradbury Building 

The Bradbury Building is a must-see attraction for everyone visiting Los Angeles’ downtown area. It is a five-story office structure that is known for its spectacular skylit atrium access staircases and elevators, walkways, and decorative ironwork. The building was constructed in 1893 and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Victorian commercial architecture.

The Bradbury Building has been used as a filming location for several movies and TV shows, including Blade Runner, Double Indemnity, Chinatown, The Artist, and Pearl Harbor.

A visit to the Bradbury Building is a step back in time, and it is one of the most beautiful historic sites in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles State Historic Park

The lovely Los Angeles State Historic Park is located in Downtown Los Angeles, near the Chinatown neighborhood. It is also considered one of Los Angeles’ most magnificent historical sites. 

The 32-acre historical park offers recreational and educational possibilities relating to the city. It’s a place where you may take a tranquil walk while taking in the city’s natural and cultural history.  The park is also a great place to have a picnic lunch.

Some of the historical sites located in the park include the Zanja Madre, the Los Angeles Aqueduct, and the Mulholland Fountain. The Zanja Madre is an irrigation ditch that was built in 1806 and is one of the oldest man-made water features in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Aqueduct is an engineering marvel that brings water to the city from the Owens Valley. The Mulholland Fountain is a beautiful Art Deco fountain that was built in 1940.

Los Angeles residents refer to the place as the Cornfield, yet husks are rarely seen sprouting anywhere. There aren’t many activities, but you may spend a day strolling, riding, running, or simply resting down in the park in peace and tranquility.

Conclusion 

Los Angeles is full of rich history, and there are plenty of historical sites to explore. From the Doheny Mansion to Rodeo Drive, there are plenty of places to learn about the city’s past. So get out there and start exploring! Who knows what you’ll find. 

Featured Image: Photo by Jake Blucker on Unsplash