Resource Report

Historic Resource Summary

Names
Million Article Thompson (Primary)
Million Article Thompson (Historic)
8938 S VERMONT AVE (Alternative)
Important Dates
1932-01-01 (Built Date)
Images
Million Article Thompson - PHOTO
Resource Types
Object
Architect
Builder
Owner

Location Information

Addresses
8938 S VERMONT AVE Primary
Location Description
No descriptions recorded
Administrative Areas
South Los Angeles Community Plan Area (Community Plan Area)
Los Angeles City Council District 8 (Council District)
EMPOWERMENT CONGRESS SOUTHEAST AREA NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (Neighborhood Council)
VERMONT VISTA NEIGHBORHOOD (Neighborhood)

Resource Description

Classification
Type: Commercial-Sign, Rooftop   Use: Historic        
Type: California OHP Resource Attribute - HP39. Other          
Features
No components recorded

Narrative Description

No description available
Alterations
No alterations listed

Resource Significance

Evaluation Details

Date Evaluated
2011-09-05
Context/Theme
Commercial Development, 1850-1980
Commercial Signs, 1906-1980
Rooftop Signs, 1906-1980
Commercial - Sign
Rooftop
Eligibility Standards
  • Evokes commercial ethos of its period through typography, materials, and/or imagery
  • Illumination may be external: metal signs with exposed bulbs, tubing, and electrical sockets; reflective metal surfaces illuminated by lighting either attached to the structure or aimed towards it from afar
  • Metal, glass, or wood letters or channel letters containing or outlined by neon, fluorescent, or bulbs and supported against or above the parapet by metal rods, screws, pins, braces, and/or guy wires
  • Originally constructed to advertise the name of the establishment or on- or off-premise goods, services, or other promotional, directional, or didactic messages
  • Oriented towards major thoroughfares, often at an angle, sometimes not corresponding to the current formal street address or main entrance
  • Retains most of the essential character-defining features of its type
  • Signs erected upon, against, or directly above a roof or on top of or above the parapet of a building
  • Signs may be two-, three-, or four-faced, attached to one another but oriented to different directions of street traffic
  • Metal scaffolding, towers, pole/s attached to the rooftop to support freestanding letters, billboards, sheet metal or metal and plastic boxes (in varying shapes), or sculptural objects (such as statuary
  • Erected upon, against, or directly above a roof or on top of or above the parapet of a building
  • Evokes iconic cultural associations with period- or regionally specific commercial establishments, personae, or multiple-family residential properties, and/or is an excellent example of an architectural style or promotional technique from its period
  • Neon and fluorescent tubing may be overlaid (one raised above another) or used freeform and set on timers to create moving images
    • Integrity Aspects
    Feeling
    Association
    Workmanship
    Materials
    Setting
    Design
    Location
    Retains sufficient integrity to convey significance
    California Historic Resources Status Codes (explanation of codes)
    5S3
    3CS
    3S
    Significance Statement
    Extraordinary rooftop sign with extant fluorescent tubing. Appears original to the building although the tenant has changed. Very high quality of design.
    Periods of Significance
    From: 1932-01-01

    External References

    External System References

    SurveyLA ID: 527f5ecf-e7bd-4b6e-a42c-cc97c61d36b3
    Property Identification Number: 096A199 328
    House ID: 425737

    Related Resources

    Related Historic Resources

    None

    Related Historic Districts

    None

    Related Activities

    SurveyLA - South Los Angeles Survey (was assessed in / assessed)

    Related Historic Events

    None

    Related People/Organizations

    Architectural Resources Group (Surveying Firm, was surveyed by / surveyed)

    Related Information Resources

    Images
    Documents
    SurveyLA: South Los Angeles Historic Resources Survey Report (Document/Text, is referred to in / refers to)

    SurveyLA

    SurveyLA is the first comprehensive program to identify significant historic resources throughout the City of Los Angeles, and is scheduled to be completed in 2017. HistoricPlacesLA includes SurveyLA data published to date. Find out more about SurveyLA at: http://www.preservation.lacity.org/survey

    Office of Historic Resources

    Office of Historic Resources
    Department of City Planning
    221 N. Figueroa Street, Suite 1350
    Los Angeles, CA 90012
    (213) 847-3676 phone
    Email: planning.historicplacesla@lacity.org
    http://www.preservation.lacity.org
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