How Los Angeles’ Union Station Came to Be

Los Angeles’ Union Station was born out of controversy and contention.

Clement Lau, a Los Angeles County planner, offers a review of the Central Library’s exhibit “No Further West: The Story of Los Angeles Union Station,” which was organized by the Getty Research Institute (GRI). The development of one of the city’s most noted landmarks involved long, drawn out battles in the community and in the courts, Lau writes, adding that the fight over the location of the station went all the way to the Supreme Court.

“Its location, adjacent to the historic Plaza, or central square of El Pueblo de Los Angeles, resulted in the destruction of the city’s original Chinatown, while also fueling early historic preservation efforts. Its groundbreaking in 1933 only took place after the break-through of decades of red tape, political back-and-forth, and the commissioning of prominent architects John Parkinson and his son, Donald Parkinson.”

Lau goes on to discuss the drawings, photographs, and book that is a part of the exhibit.