Historic

Pershing Square

Pershing Square is a small public park in Downtown Los Angeles, California, one square block in size, bounded by 5th Street to the north, 6th Street to the south, Hill Street to the east, and Olive Street to the west. Originally dedicated in 1866 by Mayor Cristóbal Aguilar as La Plaza Abaja, the square has had numerous names over the years; it was dedicated in honor of General John J. Pershing in 1918. In 2024, it was first proposed that the park be renamed Biddy Mason Park, after an early Los Angeles resident, former slave and entrepreneur Biddy Mason, which the LA City Council approved in 2026.

Why it's on the map

Originally dedicated in 1866 by Mayor Cristóbal Aguilar as La Plaza Abaja, the square has had numerous names over the years; it was dedicated in honor of General John J. Pershing in 1918.

A monument to California's twenty Spanish–American War dead was erected in 1900; it is said to be modeled after a Spanish–American War veteran, 7th California Infantry volunteer Charlie Hammond of San Francisco, and it is believed to be the oldest work of public art in Los Angeles.

Source: Wikipedia / Wikidata