noirish Los Angeles

[Those Who Squirm!]

The renumbering happened in 1890, resulting in the elimination nearly all 00-99 street addresses. While Venice wasn't even in existence yet, let alone annexed, I've always wondered why it was able to keep its Santa Monica based numbering scheme, instead of having to toe the line and change to L.A.'s scheme. I've never been able to find any explanation.

ISTM that's very unusually, and that the overwhelming majority of annexed towns adopted L.A.'s numbering plan.

Originally Posted by Los Angeles Past

Can anyone tell me the specifics of the renumbering of street addresses in 19th century Los Angeles? When did that happen? What was the starting point of the old system? (Temple Street, maybe?)

I've had a query from someone who is looking to find a photo of 34 Spring Street in the 1870s, which I think has to be one of the 'old' address numbers.

How can I translate that into the more modern address that I might be able to find on a Sanborn map?

Thanks for any help!

[Those Who Squirm!]

They would put you in jail for not renumbering your house!

O farewell, charming and evocative addresses like 7 Maple Street or 28 Flower!

Originally Posted by Flyingwedge

Good question! From what I can tell, there was no requirement for buildings to be numbered prior to March 1883. The
ordinance described below was, if I'm not mistaken, supplanted by the one we operate under now in December 1889
(which eliminated two-digit house numbers):




March 14, 1883, Los Angeles Times @ ProQuest via LAPL


Prior to 1883, I think most address numbering, or at least with Spring Street, started at 1; the 1878 LACD has
people at 1-1/2 Spring, which would have to be just south of Temple. The 1883-84 LACD is the first to list North
and South Spring.

So, if the 34 Spring of the 1870s was on the east side of the street, it may have been just south of the old Temple
County Courthouse. Does your friend only have the address, or is there any other info (name of owner or type of
building, etc.)? I think that site would now be under the City Hall grounds.