Resource Report

Historic Resource Summary

Names
L.A. Gas & Electric Substation No. 41 (Distributing Station) (Primary)
L.A. Gas & Electric Substation No. 41 (Distributing Station) (Historic)
514 W 78TH ST (Alternative)
Important Dates
1932-01-01 (Built Date)
Images
L.A. Gas & Electric Substation No. 41 (Distributing Station) - PHOTO
Resource Types
Building
Architect
Builder
Los Angeles Gas and Electric Co.
Owner

Location Information

Addresses
514 W 78TH ST 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)
VERMONT KNOLLS NEIGHBORHOOD (Neighborhood)

Resource Description

Classification
Type: Infrastructure-Water & Power, Utility Building (Water, Electrical Power, Natural Gas)   Use: Historic     Style: Art Deco    
Type: California OHP Resource Attribute - HP09. Public utility building          
Features
No components recorded

Narrative Description

No description available
Alterations
Appears to be unaltered

Resource Significance

Evaluation Details

Date Evaluated
2011-09-05
Context/Theme
Architecture and Engineering, 1850-1980
L.A. Modernism, 1919-1980
Related Responses to Modernism, 1924-1970
Art Deco, 1925-1938
Institutional
Eligibility Standards
  • Was constructed during the period of significance
  • Exhibits quality of design through distinctive features
  • Retains the essential character-defining features of the Art Deco style
  • Metal windows, often fixed sash and casement
  • Zigzags, chevrons and other stylized and geometric motifs as decorative elements on façade
  • Emphasis on verticality
  • Smooth wall surfaces, such as stucco
    • Integrity Aspects
    Feeling
    Location
    Design
    Setting
    Materials
    Workmanship
    Association
    Retains sufficient integrity to convey significance
    California Historic Resources Status Codes (explanation of codes)
    5S3
    3S
    3CS
    Significance Statement
    Exceptional example of a Zig-Zag Moderne (Art Deco) DWP station. Very intact with high quality of design and distinctive features tying it to the style.
    Periods of Significance
    From: 1920-01-01
    To: 1945-12-31
    Date Evaluated
    2011-09-05
    Context/Theme
    Public and Private Institutional Development, 1850-1980
    Government Infrastructure and Services, 1850-1980
    Municipal Water and Power, 1916-1980
    Distributing and Receiving Stations, 1916-1980
    Institutional - Infrastructure
    Distributing Station
    Eligibility Standards
  • Is associated with Los Angeles Gas and Electric Corp., Bureau of Power and Light or the Department of Water and Power
  • Was constructed between 1916 and 1980 for water and power uses
  • Exemplifies the beautification requirements set by the City Arts Commission
  • Generally a two-story rectangular box with a flat roof
  • Designed in popular architectural styles including Classical Revival, WPA Moderne, International Style, Arts Deco, Streamline Moderne
  • Designed as neighborhood landmarks which fit into the fabric of a community
  • Constructed of brick, concrete or stone veneer
  • Is also evaluated as significant under a theme within the Architecture context
  • Few or no windows on facade
  • Distributing Stations are odd numbered
  • Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance
  • Prominent signage
    • Integrity Aspects
    Location
    Setting
    Materials
    Workmanship
    Association
    Feeling
    Retains sufficient integrity to convey significance
    Design
    California Historic Resources Status Codes (explanation of codes)
    5S3
    3CS
    3S
    Significance Statement
    DWP Distributing Station with distinctive architectural styling and exceptional prominence in neighborhood streetscape. Representative of the pattern of DWP development in the City in the prewar era.
    Periods of Significance
    No periods of significance recorded

    External References

    External System References

    SurveyLA ID: f6d3b423-b9bb-4bc7-9a81-370f9b11bb4e
    Property Identification Number: 099B201 432
    House ID: 437910

    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

    Los Angeles Gas and Electric Co. (Architecture/Design Firm or Partnership, Construction Company, was built by / built)
    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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