Here are a few rare shots of the far side of the plaza. Still no court and still no Simpson building
The Pico House, sometimes called "Old Pico House", built by Pio Pico in 1869-70. Seen here in the distance from Fort Hill, and fronting on the Plaza and Main Street. The building is on the right side of the picture and only the front can be seen, but there do not appear to be any buildings ajacent to it.
LAPL
Plaza Church prior to 1869, showing fence around the entrance. [Note on photo: Father Adams says, "Where Buena Vista is now open, north on the hill stood a chapel from 1784 to 1812, where a friar from San Gabriel Mission said mass every Sunday and holidays." The fence around the Plaza was built by the owner of the reservoir (seen at extreme right of the photo). Later it was planted with trees and otherwise much improved.
LAPL
Plaza Farmer's Market - I am pretty sure this is facing the Marchessault direction too.
USC Via GSJansen