LA Times Quick Facts
Location: 202 West 1st St., Los Angeles, California, 90012
Publisher: Tribune (as of June 2000)
Los Angeles Times Early History and Roots
The Los Angeles Times newspaper dates back to December 4, 1881 when it was first published as the Los Angeles Daily Times.
Even in its early years, the paper (which has--like many newspapers--faced challenging times) was beset by financial woes. When its original founders had trouble financing it, it was inherited by its printer, the Mirror Printing Office and Book Bindery.
After meeting with some success, it was purchased by then-editor Harrison Gray Otis. In October 1886, it became officially known as the Los Angeles Times (sans 'Daily').
The Chandlers and the Los Angeles Times
One of LA's most famous families, the Chandlers (whose name graces important local buildings like the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion) owned the LA Times throughout most of its existence.
In 1917, Harry Chandler took control of the newspaper in the wake of his father-in-law Harrison Gray Otis' death.
When the LA Times was ultimately sold to Tribune in 2000, it was reported by Forbes that the dynastic newspaper family made $1 billion from the deal.
Notable Facts Timeline for the LA times
- On October 1, 1910, the Times building (then located at 1st and Broadway) was dynamited by union terrorists who destroyed the structure and killed 20 employees
- On April 8, 1996 the Times launched latimes.com, which evolved from the former TimesLink service on the Prodigy network
- On June 12, 2000 Times Mirror completed its merger with Tribune
Notable Los Angeles Times Columnists and Critics of the Contemporary Era
- Robert Hilburn
- Steve Lopez
- Kenneth Turan
- S. Irene Virbila
- Manohla Dargis
Architecture of the LA Times Building
It wasn't until 1935 that the newspaper made a home of its current location (at 1st and Spring) in Downtown.
The building was designed by Cal Tech architect Gordon B. Kaufman and won the 1937 Paris Exposition gold medal for Moderne architecture.
Of all the nooks and sections of the building, the LA Times' Globe Lobby is probably its most famous (to LA kids like myself who grew up going on field trips there). Its murals were painted by Hugo Ballin (who also painted the rotunda at the Griffith Park Observatory).
The Los Angeles Times Building in Film and TV
- 24
- Lions for Lambs (2007)
- D.O.A. (1950)
- CSI: Miami
- The Green Hornet (2011)
- Dreamgirls (2006)
Visiting the Los Angeles Times
For most, the best peek they'll get inside the LA Times will be via the scenes in the aforementioned TV shows and films. However, that doesn't have to be the case.
The Times does offer one-hour public tours of its historic building and printing facility at no cost, twice a month.
Tour participants must be at least 14 years old. Groups consisting of up to 35 people can also come have a visit. Regardless of age or group size, anyone wishing to visit the premises must make a reservation. Call 213-237-5757 for for more information.
