Los Angeles Historic Resource Survey Project

New research leading to the first-ever comprehensive citywide survey of historic resources in Los Angeles

Project Details

Union Station in downtown Los Angeles is fronted by palm trees and other plants

About

Goal

Getty's interest in a Los Angeles historic resources survey reflects its long-term commitment to its home city. Through the Los Angeles Historic Resource Survey Project, it sought to research the objectives, methods, funding, and incentives needed for a comprehensive citywide survey of historic resources—including places of social importance, architecturally significant buildings, and historic districts—and to work with city decision-makers and stakeholders to implement a survey program.

Outcomes

  • Research on survey methods and management issues that provided a blueprint for the citywide historic resource survey
  • SurveyLA: a citywide survey identifying historic resources dating from approximately 1865 to 1980
  • HistoricPlacesLA: Los Angeles Historic Resources Inventory, an online information and management system launched in 2015 by the City of Los Angeles to inventory, map, and describe its historic places

Background

In 2000 the Getty Conservation Institute undertook an assessment of the potential for a comprehensive, citywide historic resource survey in the City of Los Angeles. Published in 2001, the Los Angeles Historic Resource Survey Assessment Project: Summary Report revealed that only 15 percent of the city had previously been surveyed; that there was support from city government, neighborhoods, the business community and preservationists for having reliable information on the city's historic resources; and that there was strong momentum for adaptive reuse, neighborhood conservation, and cultural tourism throughout the city.

Project History

Partners

City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning, Office of Historic Resources

Resources