By 1920, the city's private and municipal rail lines were among the most far-flung and most comprehensive in the world in mileage as shown––and parodied––in the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It was a transporation system rivaling that of New York City.
In the early 20th Century, a steady influx of residents and aggressive land developers transformed the cityinto a large metropolitan area, with Downtown at its center. Rail lines connected four counties with over 1,100 miles of track. It was also then that banking institutions clustered around South Spring Street, forming the Spring Street Financial District, and referred to as the "Wall Street of the West." The district held corporate headquarters for financial institutions including Bank of America, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Crocker National Bank, California Bank & Trust, and International Savings & Exchange Bank.
The Los Angeles Stock Exchange was also located in the financial corridor from 1929 until 1986 before moving into a new building across the Harbor (110) Freeway.
Commercial growth brought with it hotel construction and during this time period several grand hotels were erected; including the Alexandria (1906), the Rosslyn (1911), and the Biltmore (1923), were erected. Broadway became the entertainment center for the growing population of Los Angeles.
HISTORY LINKS
L.A. Landmarks
Yesterday L.A. (old images)
L.A. in the 1900s (history)
L.A. Past, Present & Future
You-Are-Here (L.A. architecture)
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
114 W 5TH STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90013
213-488-1901
