Streetcar Depot
Also known as: News Stand
Why it's listed
Built around 1900 at the Veterans Administration center in Los Angeles, this small wood-frame depot was designed by the architects Peters and Burns. It measures about 12 by 36 feet, and roughly a third of its floor area is an open porch. Half-circle braces and quarter-circle arches carved in moderation support the overhang, giving the building light and airy facades. It first served as a streetcar terminal, greeting arriving visitors, residents, staff and the public for more than four decades. After streetcar service ended it became a news stand for about two decades and later a refreshment stand. Its original wood shingles and white painted trim were replaced with composition shingles, narrower fascias and metal gutters, which somewhat reduced its integrity, though it remained in fair condition in 1971. It was listed as the only survivor of several small utilitarian structures around the center and as a fitting companion to the other turn-of-the-century buildings in a park setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites its architecture, which complements the turn-of-the-century style of the center's other original buildings. It is the only survivor of several small utilitarian structures around the center. It served as a transportation terminal for over four decades, then as a news stand.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72000232, listed February 23, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Pershing and Dewey Aves., Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | February 23, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000232 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 20th Century |
| Architect / builder | Peters and Burns (architects) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rated in fair condition and reasonably well maintained as of June 1971; in use as a news stand and refreshment stand. The original roof materials were replaced. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Within district | West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Historic District |
| Coordinates | 34.05723, -118.46021 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72000232.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14684040
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.