Pico House, Historic hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, United States
Description
Pico House is a three-story building in Downtown Los Angeles constructed in the Italian Revival style with rooms arranged around a central courtyard. Windows rise through the floors, bringing natural light into the former reception spaces and bedrooms that line the corridors.
History
Governor Pio Pico commissioned architect Ezra Kysor in 1869 to build this large inn, which became the first such accommodation in Los Angeles. Its completion brought features like running water and central gas lighting to the city, years before such installations became common in many other California towns.
Culture
The building represents the transformation of Los Angeles from a small Mexican town into a modern American city during the late 1800s.
Practical
The former inn stands on North Main Street across from Olvera Street and sits within the historic district surrounding the plaza. A short walk connects you to other buildings from the turn-of-the-century period, now home to museums or cultural sites.
Did you know?
The building featured separate washrooms and water closets for men and women on each floor, an arrangement rare in Los Angeles during the 1870s. This division made it a noteworthy establishment among early California inns.
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