This park's history of renovations reflects the city's changing identity.

by Contributor

In Short
In 1866, Mayor Aguilar dedicated this land in the middle of downtown L.A. for use naming it La Plaza Abaja (Lower Plaza). In 1886, the plaza became an office park and later still, it was redesigned in 1911 by John Parkinson, prominent L.A. architect. During WWI, it was used for the militia and named Pershing Square in honor of the general. In 1989, CRA assisted the Department of Recreation and Parks with funding renovate the park into its present form.