South Serrano Avenue Historic District

The South Serrano Avenue Historic District is a residential area in central Los Angeles featuring early 20th-century houses along the 400 block between 4th and 5th Streets. The collection comprises 17 buildings constructed between 1912 and 1921 that remain intact today.

The houses were built during a period of rapid residential growth in Los Angeles during the 1910s. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, recognizing its importance as a well-preserved example of the city's early residential culture.

The homes showcase late revival architectural styles shaped by local architects such as Frank Tyler and Harry Whiteley. Residents valued these dwellings as expressions of their prosperity and social standing in the rapidly expanding city.

The district lies in an urban area with limited parking, so visitors should arrive early or use nearby parking options. Since these are private homes, visitors must explore the neighborhood from public streets and respect the privacy of residents.

This is one of the few complete blocks of original single-family homes that remains surrounded by modern apartment buildings. This contrasting landscape reveals the dramatic transformation of the area from the 1910s to today.