African American History Receives Landmark Recognition In Los Angeles.A Collaborative Effort Between the Getty Museum and The City Has Designated Six Meaningful Buildings As Historic-Cultural Monuments.
StylesVille Beauty And Barbershop, A Pacoima Institution, Stands As A Testament To Enduring Legacy. Founded In 1957 By Fred And Ollie Carter, The Shop Has remained Remarkably Unchanged Under Current Owner Gregory Faucett.
Faucett’s Family History Is Deeply Rooted In The Business. His Grandparents Initially Opened Across The Street In 1957, Relocating To The Current Van Nuys Boulevard Location In 1977.
Believed To Be The Oldest Black-Owned Business In The San Fernando Valley, StylesVille Represents More Than Just A Barbershop.It’s A Community Hub And A Symbol Of Perseverance.
“I Appreciate That My Grandmother And Grandfather Started Something That I Can Keep Going On, And It Means A Lot To People Who Leave The Area To Come Back,” Faucett Shared. “We’re Still Here.”
The Inclusion In The African American Historic Places Los Angeles Registry Is Particularly Meaningful. Faucett Expressed His Determination To ensure His Grandparents’ Legacy Is Properly Recognized.
African American Historic Places Los Angeles Is A vital Partnership. The City Of los Angeles And The Getty Museum Are Working together To Preserve And Celebrate Black History.
Alongside StylesVille, Five Other Locations Have Received This Prestigious Designation. These Include St. Elmo Village’s Artist Enclave, Tom Bradley’s Leimert Park Home, The Iconic Catch One Nightclub, The Former Site Of The California Eagle Newspaper, And The Oakwood Neighborhood In Venice.
The Oakwood Neighborhood, A Historically Black Community In Venice, Is Also Being Celebrated. Michelle Williams, A Longtime Member Of New Bethel Baptist Church, Emphasized The importance Of Preserving This Landmark.
“There Are So Many Places Here That They Have Changed, But This Will Be Here,” Williams Stated. “This Church Has Been A Very Critically important Part Of Venice.”
What Are Your Thoughts? Do You Have A Favorite historic Place In Los Angeles That Should Be Recognized? Share Your Stories And suggestions In The Comments Below. Let’s Continue The Conversation About Preserving Our Shared History.
What impact will landmark designation have on the architectural integrity of the designated buildings?
Table of Contents
- 1. What impact will landmark designation have on the architectural integrity of the designated buildings?
- 2. Los Angeles celebrates Black History: Six Buildings Receive landmark Status
- 3. The Designated Landmarks: A Closer Look
- 4. Why Landmark Designation matters: Preservation & Recognition
- 5. The Process of Landmark Designation in Los Angeles
Los Angeles celebrates Black History: Six Buildings Receive landmark Status
Los angeles has taken a meaningful step in preserving it’s rich Black heritage by designating six buildings as historic landmarks. This initiative, announced on August 8, 2025, recognizes the cultural and architectural importance of these structures to the city’s African American community and beyond. The landmark designations offer protection against demolition and inappropriate alterations, ensuring these vital pieces of history remain for future generations. This move aligns with a growing national trend of recognizing and preserving Black past sites,acknowledging their often-overlooked contributions to American society.
The Designated Landmarks: A Closer Look
The six buildings represent a diverse range of contributions from the Black community in Los Angeles, spanning religious institutions, cultural hubs, and spaces of activism. Hear’s a detailed overview:
First African Methodist Episcopal (FAME) Church: Founded in 1872,FAME Church has been a cornerstone of the Black community in Los Angeles for over 150 years. It served as a vital organizing centre during the Civil Rights Movement and continues to be a prominent religious and social institution. Its architectural style reflects a blend of Victorian and Gothic Revival influences.
The Horace and Hattie Lacey House: Home to prominent civil rights activists Horace and Hattie Lacey, this house served as a meeting place for leaders and organizers fighting for racial equality in the mid-20th century. The Lacey’s were instrumental in desegregating schools and advocating for fair housing practices.
Lincoln Theater: A historic movie palace that once showcased Black performers during the era of segregation. The Lincoln Theatre provided entertainment and a sense of community for African Americans when other venues were closed to them. It’s a prime example of early 20th-century theatre architecture.
Brockman Gallery: Established in 1971, the Brockman Gallery was one of the first Black-owned art galleries in Los Angeles. It played a crucial role in launching the careers of numerous Black artists and fostering a vibrant artistic community.
Carolyn’s Fashion, Inc.: A landmark business owned and operated by Carolyn Evans, a pioneering Black entrepreneur. Carolyn’s Fashion served as a hub for Black fashion and style for decades, providing clothing and accessories to the community.
The Fifth Street baptist Church: A significant religious institution founded in 1908, the Fifth Street Baptist Church has been a pillar of the Black community, providing spiritual guidance and social services.
Why Landmark Designation matters: Preservation & Recognition
Historic landmark designation isn’t merely symbolic. It carries significant weight in terms of preservation and community recognition.
Protection from Demolition: Landmark status provides legal protection against demolition, ensuring the buildings are preserved for future generations.
Architectural Review: Any proposed alterations or renovations to the buildings must undergo review by the city’s Historic Preservation Office, ensuring they are consistent with the building’s historical character.
Increased property Values: Landmark designation can often increase property values, as it signifies the building’s historical and cultural importance.
Community pride: Recognizing these buildings as landmarks fosters a sense of pride and identity within the black community.
* Educational Opportunities: Landmark status encourages educational programs and tours, raising awareness about the history and contributions of the African American community in Los Angeles.
The Process of Landmark Designation in Los Angeles
The process of designating a building as a historic landmark in Los Angeles is rigorous and involves several steps:
- Nomination: A nomination is submitted to the city’s Historic Preservation Office,outlining the building’s historical and architectural meaning.
- Research & Evaluation: The historic Preservation Office conducts thorough research to verify the information in the nomination and assess the building’s eligibility for landmark status.
- Public Hearing: A public hearing is held to allow community members to voice their opinions on the proposed designation.
- Historic Preservation Board Review: the Historic Preservation Board reviews the nomination,research,and public