The Original Farmers Market is an historic landmark located in the Park La Brea neighborhood of Los Angeles, featuring fresh produce and groceries, specialty shops and international cuisine.
History of Los Angeles Market
The Los Angeles Farmers Market dates back to 1934, when a group of farmers parked their trucks and began selling produce from their tailgates in an open area known as Gilmore Island, the former location of a dairy farm surrounded by the growing city of Los Angeles. The market quickly gained popularity with local residents. Permanent wooden stalls and awnings were added, and over the years the market grew and became a local landmark.
E.B. Gilmore, the owner of the property, built Gilmore Stadium nearby, which hosted sporting events including boxing, wrestling, rodeos, and football. The Bulldogs, L.A.'s first pro football team, played there. Soon after, he constructed Gilmore Field, home of the city's first baseball team, the Hollywood Stars, which was owned by Bing Crosby, Barbara Stanwyk and Cecil B. DeMille. The Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958.
In 2002, the iconic Clock Tower was relocated to its present site, and a time capsule was placed in its base. That year also saw the addition of the North Market Building, which houses retail shops and offices.
Visiting the Los Angeles Market and the Grove
In addition to fresh produce, meats, poultry, seafood, bread, candy and ice cream, the Farmers Market contains numerous shops featuring clothing, jewelry, accessories, books and toys, as well as services including a barbershop, tanning salon and optometrist. Restaurants at the Original Farmers Market offer cuisine from around the world including Cajun, French, Korean and Greek, as well as pizza and barbecue. There is something for every taste.
Entertainment and special events take place at the Farmers Market year round, including music festivals, family activities and holiday celebrations. Each June, the Annual Gilmore Heritage Auto Show features classic and vintage cars.
Adjacent to the Farmers Market is the Grove, a popular shopping district that features restaurants, department stores, specialty shops and entertainment. There is a free electric trolley that runs between the Grove and the Farmers Market.
The Original Los Angeles Farmers Market is located at 6333 West 3rd Street, on the corner of Third and Fairfax Streets in the Park La Brea neighborhood of Los Angeles. It is open Monday-Friday from 9-9, Saturday 9-8, and Sunday 10-7. The Market's two bars, E.B.'s Beer & Wine and 326, stay open later. Two hours of free parking in the Market's lots are available with validation.
Sources:
The Original Farmers Market Accessed June 24, 2010.
The Grove Accessed June 24, 2010.
Terrie Schultz - Terrie Schultz holds a BS in Biochemistry and an MA in Cell and Molecular Biology. She worked for many years in the biomedical field in ...
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