Nearby Intersection To Be Named For Prominent Architect

The intersection of Fifth and Spring streets in downtown Los Angeles will be dedicated today as John Parkinson Square, honoring the architect who designed some of Los Angeles' best-known structures, including City Hall, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Union Station.

Parkinson also designed Grand Central Market and the former Bullocks department store on Wilshire Boulevard. More than 50 of his buildings remain standing, including at USC, downtown and in Hollywood, according to Councilman Tom LaBonge, who co-sponsored the motion honoring Parkinson, along with Councilman Jose Huizar, whose district includes the Fifth and Spring intersection.

A short program at the Parkinson-designed Alexandria Hotel attended by LaBonge, Huizar, British Consul General Chris O'Conner, Parkinson's granddaughter, Melanie Parkinson, and Stephen Gee, author of "Iconic Vision: John Parkinson, Architect of Los Angeles," will begin at 9 a.m. and be followed by the unveiling of the sign at the southwest corner of Fifth and Spring streets designating the intersection as John Parkinson Square.

Parkinson was born in the small English village of Scorton in 1861. He moved to North America at the age of 21 upon completion of his apprenticeship to a contractor-builder, initially building fences in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and learning stair building in Minneapolis.

Parkinson then moved to Napa, working as a stair builder and taking on architectural commissions in his spare time. He moved to Seattle in 1889, designing the Butler Block, Seattle Athletic Club and Seattle National Bank Building.

Following the economic Panic of 1893, Parkinson moved to Los Angeles in 1894, opening his architecture office on Spring Street, between Second and Third streets.

"John Parkinson came to Los Angeles, like many Angelenos did, as an immigrant from somewhere else and then he made an enormous impact," LaBonge said.

—City News Service