View of Main Street looking south-south-east from Plaza Street (aka Republic Street) showing Pico House, Los Angeles, ca.1878

Photograph of Main Street looking south-south-east from Plaza Street (aka Republic Street) showing Pico House at left, Los Angeles, ca.1878. The road is unpaved and a streetcar track runs down the middle. Both sides of the street are lined with imposingly large buildings. At center on the left side of the street is an especially big building topped by a prominent tower. Most of the other buildings are somewhat Romanesque, with large columns and archways dominating their facades. There are several horse-drawn vehicles parked on both sides of the street. There is a barber pole at right.; Legible signs include, from left to right, "Nick's[...]Stables", and "Telegraph". Additional information: Identifiable buildings include (left to right): Pico House (built in 1869-70); Merced Theater (built in 1870); Masonic Hall (built in 1858); Baker Block (1877-1942); Cosmopolitan Hotel (1856-1937, for new Federal Court House and Post Office) -- it began as the Lafayette, but was modified over the years becoming the Cosmopolitan and then the St. Elmo; Temple Block (1871-1927) -- large structure, to the left and below the Cosmopolitan, at the intersection of Main Street, Spring Street and Temple Street.