Farmers Market
Arthur F. Gilmore acquired a large parcel of Rancho La Brea in 1880 for a dairy farm. While drilling for water, he struck oil. His son, Earl, took charge of the Gilmore Oil Company in 1918. In 1934, two entrepreneurs, Fred Beck and Roger Dahlhjelm, approached Earl with “an idea” – build a “Village” at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax where local farmers could sell their fresh fare. In July, a dozen farmers and a few other merchants began selling fresh produce from the back of their trucks. By October, farmers and merchants, including restaurants, grocers and service providers, were moving into permanent stalls. The new Farmers Market was so popular that its founders staged a celebration, the first Fall Festival at Farmers Market. The original iconic Clock Tower, built in 1948, was replaced in 2009 and now towers over the Starbucks.
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Photographers: John Bare, Andrew Schmidt