1922 Encyclopædia Britannica/Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, California (see ), increased in its population more than 80% in the period 1910-20, reaching 576,673, surpassing San Francisco, and changing from sixteenth to tenth place among the cities of the United States. The area of the city increased more than fourfold, being 365.67 sq. m. in 1920. In 1910 Hollywood (4.45 sq. m.), East Hollywood and Ivanhoe (11.11 sq. m.) were annexed, and in 1912 Arroyo Seco (6.9 sq. m.). In 1915 168 sq. m. of San Fernando Valley and 4 sq. m. of the Palm District was annexed. In 1910 there were 22 parks with 3,800 ac.; these had increased by 1920 to 25 parks with 4,100 acres. The playground department, established in 1911, maintained in 1920 12 playgrounds and 34 summer centres at a cost of $207,836. Three summer camps for family outings in the mountains were supported by the municipality. In 1910 builders' permits were granted for buildings valued at $21,684,100; in 1920 the value was $60,023,600. The museum of the Southwest Society of the Archaeological Institute of America began in 1912 its first group of buildings. A new museum was added by a building at Exposition Park.

Los Angeles has maintained its position as a winter resort. During 1910-20 it became predominantly an industrial rather than an agricultural centre, though agriculture, which had hitherto been its chief economic interest, continued to furnish a large share of the city's prosperity. In 1919 the value of all farm products in Los Angeles county was $426,045,843, an amount greater than that for any other county in the United States. The chief products were citrus fruits, valued at $80,140,000. There were 13,013 farms in 1920, against 7,919 in 1910.

(R. A. V.)