27th Street Historic District
historic place
The 27th Street Historic District is located in South Los Angeles, California. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. This district is significant for its connection to the African American community in Los Angeles. Its period of historical importance began in 1923. This was when an African American congregation acquired a church in the area, and African Americans began moving into the neighborhood. The district is centered near East 27th Street and Paloma Avenue, one block west of Central Avenue. The Central Avenue Corridor served as the cultural and business hub for the African American community in Los Angeles from the 1920s to the 1950s. The 27th Street Historic District retains many of its original buildings, making it one of the few neighborhoods along the Central Avenue corridor to maintain its historical integrity. Most of the 43 contributing buildings are private residences, constructed between 1895 and 1915. Architectural styles include Victorian Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Transitional Craftsman. Notable structures include the Crouch Memorial Church, built between 1895 and 1896. The 28th Street YMCA, completed in 1926, is also within the district. Designed by architect Paul R. Williams, the YMCA provided one of the few facilities open to African American residents during the era of segregation. The 27th Street Historic District matters historically as a preserved example of a residential neighborhood that played a role in the development of the African American community in Los Angeles.