Stories Down on 2nd Street

Little Tokyo's Southern California Gardener's Federation relocated this grapefruit tree. It is over 100 years old and was once in the original Wolfskill groves.

Development took over the parking lot at 2nd and San Pedro, forcing last year's Tofu Festival to be held in the streets. This past week, the popular food fair's cancellation was announced, a sad but expected turn of events.

At the corners of Los Angeles and Main, construction is redoing the corner curbs. Unlike many sidewalk jobs, this one still allows some pedestrian travel.

A 1978 episode of "Lou Grant" shows Main Street, just south of 2nd, when it was considered part of Skid Row. The location here are a few steps away from St. Vibiana's.

The site of the State Building, next door to the LA Times, is gathering weeds. It's supposed to be a new federal courthouse, but the Feds haven't yet found the needed funding.

At 2nd between Olive and Hill, the Upper Second Street project is rebuilding the slope that leads to Grand Ave. On the left is the Colburn School of Performing Arts.

Under Bunker Hill is the 2nd Street tunnel, loved by filmmakers for the way the tile walls bounce off light. The tunnel would be closed if Metro's proposed Regional Connector were built above-ground.

Past the 110 and City West, at Vista Hermosa Park, 2nd street jogs up what was once Crown Hill. Miramar St., which runs one small block south, is where this Victorian home still stands.