St. Vincent Court
In 1867, St. Vincent’s College moved into a two-story, seven-room building on the city block of Los Angeles bounded by Broadway, Sixth, Hill and Seventh. Today, the site is known as St. Vincent Court, in the heart of the jewelry district. In between, in 1907, John G. Bullock opened his grand Bullock’s Department Store on the property. A narrow breezeway running through the middle of the store complex, dubbed St. Vincent’s Place, was built for merchandise deliveries. Away from the bustle of busy streets, the shaded location between buildings made for an appealing spot to linger. Soon an espresso bar opened, people brought chairs and chessboards and the alley took on a life of its own. A 1957 revamp transformed its facade into what looks like an old European lane. St. Vincent’s Place is a California Historical Landmark.
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Photographer: John Bare