LOS ANGELES LANDMARKS
Thereās an old joke told among Angelinos that the city of Los Angeles is a lot like your brain, you only ever use about 20 percent of it. And although medical science has largely debunked that idea, the truth about Los Angeles probably remains since it seems likely, for every famous landmark such as the Hollywood sign or the Bradbury Building, there are many more that you have never heard of and probably never will. The primary reason for this is that these landmarks are a reflection of the deep cultural heritage that makes this area what it is. What follows are a few of the most famousāor infamousālandmarks in Los Angeles.
- Korean Bell of Friendship. The area commonly known as San Pedro might be considered the uglyāand largely forgottenāstepbrother of Los Angeles, taken up to a large extent by the Harbor of Los Angeles and other heavy industrial areas. This is not to say, however, that there arenāt some cool landmarks, such as the Korean Bell of Friendship, a gift from the people of South Korean (not the crazy North). The shrine features a 17-ton bell that was presented to the United States in honor of Americaās 200th birthday. If you donāt think you will find yourself in San Pedro anytime soon, just check out the movie The Usual Suspects, which features the structure.
2. Chain Reaction. If you didnāt know what it was, you might consider this sculpture to be one of the strangest you will ever see. The truth is that it is a 26-foot tall monument to world peace designed by artist Paul Conrad. Itās located in Santa Monica, and is one of the weirdest pieces of art, located in one of the weirdest parts of the city, and is totally unlike anything else you will ever see.
3. The Pico House.Ā The Pico House is one of those landmarks that doesnāt usually get much attention, if only because of the structure. For its cultural and historic significance, however, it deserves a long look. If you have a nagging feeling that you have seen it before, itās probably because its exterior plays the part of the California Bureau of Investigation on The Mentalist, but its true history is much different. The Pico House was the last home of the last Mexican governor of California, who was one of the wealthiest landowners and cattlemen in the area.
4. Fork in the Road. Who says Angelinos canāt have fun? Right in the middle of Pasadena, there is a fork in the roadā¦literally. Itās a 6-foot-tall piece of guerilla art that appeared mysteriously in 2006 and has remained there ever since. Itās provided a lot of fun for those who live in the area as well as those who venture from far away to see it, but to this date, nobody knows who put it there, or why.