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Jefferson Park, Los Angeles

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Jefferson Park is a neighborhood in the South Los Angeles region of the City of Los Angeles, California. There are fourteen Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments in the neighborhood, and in 1987, the 1923 Spanish Colonial Revival Jefferson Branch Library was added to the National Register of Historic Places. A portion of the neighborhood is a designated Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ).

Jefferson Park
Neighborhood of Los Angeles
The historic Mission Revival style Westminster Presbyterian Church
The historic Mission Revival style
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Jefferson Park is located in Los Angeles
Jefferson Park
Jefferson Park
Location within Central Los Angeles
Coordinates: 34°01′38″N 118°19′00″W / 34.02722°N 118.31667°W / 34.02722; -118.31667
Country United States
State California
County Los Angeles
City Los Angeles
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
Zip Code
90018
Area code323

History

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In the early 1800s, the area that would become Jefferson Park was partly within the Rancho Las Cienegas and partly within the common lands surrounding the pueblo.[1] The area remained farmland into the 1900s. (One of the original farmhouses, the Starr Dairy Farmhouse, still remains in the community.)[1][2]

By 1903, there were trolley cars running down Jefferson and Adams Boulevard. With easy access to downtown, Jefferson Park became a desirable place to build a home.[1][3] Developed from 1905 to 1920, Jefferson Park grew to approximately 2500 homes spread over 50 square blocks.[3] Centered along Jefferson Boulevard, the neighborhood is home to Craftsman bungalows, brick warehouses, colorful wall murals and small storefronts.[4]

 
Craftsman bungalows on 3rd Avenue at 36th Street in the Jefferson Park HPOZ, 2024

After the 1948 Supreme Court ruling that banned racial covenants on property - Shelley v. Kraemer - many of Jefferson Park's white residents left the neighborhood, in turn being replaced by upper-middle and upper-class African-Americans. [4]

Jefferson Park also saw an influx of Creoles of color in the post-World War II period.[5][6] The resulting area was dubbed "Little New Orleans" and contained a number of Creole-owned businesses such as the Big Loaf Bakery and Harold and Belle’s, an upscale Creole restaurant.[7][8]

In September 1998, the Jefferson Park Gateway Monument was unveiled at the corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and Jefferson Boulevard. [9] According to then-councilman Nate Holden, the project was a sign of the ongoing revitalization of the area.[9]

In 2005, the Star Dairy Farmhouse was condemned by the city as a nuisance. Built in 1887, it had fallen into disrepair. After years of restoration, in 2014 it received a preservation award from the Los Angeles Conservancy. The Conservancy stated: "The farmhouse is now the oldest remaining house in the West Adams neighborhood of Jefferson Park, and the last link to the area’s agricultural history."[2]

In 2014, the Los Angeles Times reported that "once-struggling neighborhoods"like Jefferson Park were now experiencing soaring home prices as young professionals were purchasing the American Craftsman homes in the community and new shops and restaurants were opening up.[4]


Geography

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Neighborhood sign at
4th Avenue and
Jefferson Boulevard

According to the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Times, Jefferson Park is bounded by Adams Boulevard on the north, Exposition Boulevard on the south, Crenshaw Boulevard on the west and Western Avenue on the east.[10][11][12][13] Jefferson Park is bounded by West Adams, West Adams Terrace, Adams-Normandie, Crenshaw, University Park, Leimert Park, and Exposition Park neighborhoods, as well as the greater USC campus.[14][15]

It was designated an official city neighborhood in 1988,[10] with then-mayor Tom Bradley attending the event.[12] Neighborhood signs are installed along Jefferson Boulevard and Exposition Boulevard.

Historic Preservation Overlay Zone

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Historic Preservation Zone sign on 30th Street

The Jefferson Park Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) was adopted by the Los Angeles City Council in 2011. [16] The preservation plan offers guidelines for both commercial and residential structures in the community. [17] The HPOZ does not cover the entire Jefferson Park neighborhood.

The HPOZ is bounded by Adams Boulevard on the north, 7th Avenue on the west, Exposition Boulevard on the south (from Crenshaw Boulevard to Arlington Avenue), and Jefferson Boulevard on the south (from Arlington Avenue to Western Avenue).[18] Street signs in the area have an additional sign to indicate that the street is part of the HPOZ area.

Population

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2000

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A total of 23,130 people lived in the neighborhood's 1.42 square miles, according to the 2000 U.S. census—averaging 16,300 people per square mile, among the highest population density in the city as a whole. The median age was 31, about the same as the rest of the city.[15]

Within the neighborhood, African Americans made up 46.8% of the population, with Latinos 44.9%, Asian 2.9%, non-Hispanic Whites 2.7% and others 2.7%. Mexico and El Salvador were the most common places of birth for the 32.7% of the residents who were born abroad, considered an average percentage of foreign-born when compared with the city or county as a whole.[15]

In 2000, there were 1,365 families headed by single parents, or 26.6%, a rate that was high for the county and the city.[15]

2008

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The median household income in 2008 dollars was $32,654. The average household size of 2.8 people was about the same as the rest of the city. Renters occupied 69.5% of the housing units, and homeowners occupied the rest.[15]

Jefferson Park residents aged 25 and older holding a four-year degree amounted to 11.8% of the population in 2000, considered low when compared with the city and the county as a whole; the percentage of residents aged 25 and older with a high school diploma was also considered low.[15]

2022

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According to USC's 'Neighborhood Data for Social Change', the median household income in 2022 was $58,440. Residential structures occupy 90.26% of the neighborhood, while commercial structures only occupy 4.04% of the area. 30.39% of the population are home-owners, while 69.61% are renters. 2.02% are veterans.[19]

Historic-Cultural Monuments

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Briggs Residence, 2008
Historic-Cultural Monument #477
 
Betty Hill House, 2024
 
Joseph L. Starr Farmhouse, 2024

Landmarks and attractions

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  • Trinity Baptist Church, 2040 W. Jefferson Boulevard. Originally located at 36th and Normandie, it moved to its present location in 1948. The master plan for the church was designed by noted African-American architect Paul Williams.[22][23]
  • Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2230 West Jefferson Boulevard. Established in 1904, is one of the oldest African-American Presbyterian churches in California.[24]

Parks and Libraries

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Education

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LAUSD has three schools within the Jefferson Park boundaries:[11]

  • Mid City Magnet - 3150 West Adams Boulevard
  • Celerity Nascent Charter - 3417 West Jefferson Boulevard
  • Sixth Avenue Elementary - 3109 Sixth Avenue

Transportation

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Expo/Western station (on left) in Jefferson Park

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "History of Jefferson Park". Historic Jefferson P. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Joseph L. Starr Dairy Farmhouse". LAConservancy.org. Los Angeles Conservancy. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Wedner, Diane (August 10, 2003). "L.A. as it looked a century ago". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c Khouri, Andrew. "Soaring home prices spur a resurgence near USC". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 1, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  5. ^ SNYDER, GARRETT (August 27, 2019). "How chicken sausage links became a centerpiece to South L.A.'s black food culture". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  6. ^ Carpenter, Jane (2002). Conjure women: Betye Saar and rituals of transformation, 1960-1990. University of Michigan. p. 22. ISBN 9780493733845.
  7. ^ Campanella, Richard (2006). Geographies of New Orleans. University of Louisiana at Lafayette. p. 215. ISBN 1887366687.
  8. ^ Thompson, Ginger (February 5, 1989). "Spicy Parties : Set Tone for : Creoles' Life in Southland". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 7, 2013. The majority of Creoles who migrated to Los Angeles settled along Jefferson Boulevard between Arlington and 10th Avenue an area they called Little New Orleans. Its center was Holy Name Church, and several Creoles, like Aubry, opened businesses in the area. Besides the barber shop, there was the New Orleans Grotto, Merlin's Restaurant, the St. Bernard Market, Marine Cleaners and the Big Loaf Bakery the "only place in town to get New Orleans-style French bread".
  9. ^ a b McCoy, Kirk (September 29, 1998). "Commemorative Marker Hails Revitilization Effort". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Galperrin, Ron (November 6, 1994). "Whats in a Name?". Los Angeles Times. p. 277. Retrieved February 15, 2023. In central Los Angeles, a number of community groups push for neighborhood identity. These areas include University Park, West Adams and most recently, Jefferson Park. This area bounded by Adams Boulevard on the north, Exposition Boulevard on the south, Crenshaw Boulevard on the west and Western Avenue on the east was named as an official community by the City of Los Angeles in 1988.
  11. ^ a b c The Thomas Guide, 2006, pages 633 and 673
  12. ^ a b Aubry, Erin J. (January 23, 1994). "Jefferson Park: Area Gearing Up for Parade and Festival". Los Angeles Times. p. 404. Retrieved February 15, 2023. The event, sponsored by the Jefferson Park Steering Committee, commemorates the 1988 christening of Jefferson Park by then-mayor Tom Bradley. The area is bounded by Adams Boulevard on the north, Exposition Boulevard on the south, Crenshaw Boulevard on west, and Western Avenue on the east.
  13. ^ Aubry, Erin J. (November 29, 1992). "Jefferson Park: 100 Trees to Give Lift to Jefferson Blvd". Los Angeles Times. p. 276. Retrieved February 15, 2023. Jefferson Park, a neighborhood in the Crenshaw district, is bounded by Crenshaw Boulevard on the west. Western Avenue on the east, Adams Boulevard on the north and Exposition Boulevard on the south.
  14. ^ "South L.A." Mapping L.A.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "Jefferson Park". Mapping L.A.
  16. ^ "Jefferson Park Historic Preservation Overlay Zone". LACity.org. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  17. ^ "Jefferson Park HPOZ Preservation Plan" (PDF). LACity.org. May 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  18. ^ "Jefferson Park Survey Map" (PDF). LACity.org. Retrieved February 15, 2023. effective date: 7/08/2011
  19. ^ "Neighborhood Data for Social Change Platform". map.myneighborhooddata.org. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d e Barragan, Bianca (May 1, 2018). "Mapped: The historic, stately homes of West Adams Boulevard". Curbed.com. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  21. ^ Historic Resource - Paul Revere Williams House 1271 W 35TH ST Report Date: February 16, 2024 (Report). Historic Places Los Angeles. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  22. ^ "Newsletter" (PDF). www.westadamsheritage.org. 2015.
  23. ^ "History" (PDF). www.trinitybaptistchurchofla.org.
  24. ^ "Black History Moments in L.A.'s Faith Community". Los Angeles Sentinel. February 10, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  25. ^ "Parks | City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks". Laparks.org. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  26. ^ [1] Los Angeles Public Library, Jefferson Branch
  27. ^ The Los Angeles Branch Library System TR
  28. ^ "West Adams Heritage Association | in Jefferson Park, Los Angeles, California".
  29. ^ Niland, Josh (February 17, 2022). "Paul R. Williams' first LA home finally gains historic monument status". Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  30. ^ Meares, Hadley (August 19, 2019). "How one woman desegregated LA swimming pools". Curbed LA. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
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