St. James Park Historic District

St. James Park Historic District is a residential neighborhood in West Adams featuring homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The buildings display Classical Revival, Craftsman, and Queen Anne styles arranged around a central park area.

George King and his wife donated the parkland to Los Angeles in 1887. They named it after their visits to London, where they found inspiration for this community.

The district shows how well-to-do families chose to live in early Los Angeles, with each home reflecting personal taste and wealth through its design. The way properties were arranged and decorated tells stories about the values and lifestyle of residents from that era.

The area is best explored on foot, as most homes are visible from the street. Plan a walk around the park and take time to notice the details of the different building styles as you move through the neighborhood.

Early newspaper accounts from 1909 describe nurses gathering regularly on the park's sidewalks. This everyday practice shows how the space became woven into the community's social life.