Hill Street was originally laid out in 1849 by Edward Ord. At that time, the street ended in the north at 1st Street, where the foot of Fort Hill sat. The stretch of modern Hill Street north of the old hill was originally named Calle del Toro (Bull Street),[1][2][3] was renamed Castelar in 1874,[4] and finally renamed North Hill in 1960.[5]
Between 1909 and 1955, Hill Street Tunnel carried both local rail and automotive traffic under the eponymous hill. It was largely demolished when the hill was removed.
Hill Street, looking north from 6th Street, around 1913. Notable sites include Central Park (today's Pershing Square) (the trees, lower left), Hotel Portsmouth (lower right), and the Hill Street Tunnel (at end of street).
A 2001 civic ceremony held in honor of mishap casualty Leon Praport at the Hill Street entrance to Angels Flight, where conductor David Woodard premiered "An Elegy for Two Angels," necessitated a midday street cordon.
"Common Council". Los Angeles Herald. Vol.1, no.114. February 14, 1874. p.3 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection. A petition was received from a number of property owners, requesting that Grasshopper street be changed to Union Avenue, Bull street to Castelar, and Wasp street to Yale street. The petition was favorably received and a special committee, in conjunction with the City Attorney, was appointed to draft an ordinance to comply with the request.
"Castelar St. Now Is Hill". Los Angeles Times. March 25, 1960. p.29. ProQuest167676581. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Castelar St., running past New Chinatown between Sunset Blvd. and Bernard St., was taken off the map yesterday by the City Council. The name change had the backing of the Board of Works, New Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and Castelar St. residents. The Historical Society of Southern California offered no objection, saying the name Castelar had little historical significance.
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