Jonathan Adams Jerde , FAIA (January 22, 1940 – February 9, 2015) was an American architect based in Venice, Los Angeles , California, founder and chairman of The Jerde Partnership, a design architecture and urban planning firm specializing in the design of shopping malls that has created a number of commercial developments around the globe. Jerde became well known as an innovator in the design of malls and related spaces. His firm has grown into a multi-disciplinary firm with offices in Los Angeles , Orange County , California, Hong Kong , and Shanghai .
96-555: Born in Alton, Illinois , he moved often from oil field to oil field, mostly in the West, with his father, Paul, who was a peripatetic engineer for oil companies, and his mother, formerly Marion Adams. When his parents split up, Jerde lived with his mother in the Long Beach , CA area. Of his youth, Jerde told The Los Angeles Times , “My mother was an alcoholic. My father was usually away working. As
192-578: A competing town to stop Alton's expansion and bring business to St. Louis. The resulting town was Grafton, Illinois . Many blocks of housing in Alton were built in the Victorian Queen Anne style . They represent a prosperous period in the river city's history. At the top of the hill in the commercial area, several stone churches and a fine city hall also represent the city's wealth during its good times based on river traffic, manufacturing, and shipping. It
288-420: A gateway to a richer neighborhood. It can't be denied." Some Korean Americans who survived the riot have said that people of minority races and ethnicities were not served fairly by the current social system. An 18-year-old Korean American, Edward Song Lee, and his three friends went to protect a Korean-owned pizza shop, along with other store owners and volunteers who would constitute the rooftop Koreans . Lee
384-557: A key role in developing a sense of communal identity in the neighborhood. The ethnic enclave was able to establish itself as the primary hub of the Korean community in Southern California, and the residents successfully lobbied for the installation of the first Koreatown sign in 1982. During the time of the riots, there was racial strife between Black and Korean Americans. In many predominantly Black neighborhoods, Korean citizens owned
480-479: A large selection of bed-and-breakfasts and guest houses. Some visitors come to explore the natural environment of the area. A designated bikeway extends for miles north of town along the Mississippi River and below the limestone bluffs; its relatively flat grade and passage through tree-shaded areas makes it an easy ride for families. During the migration seasons, Alton is a destination for birdwatchers along
576-579: A lonely kid, I collected trash items and built them into backyard constructions.” Jerde was a graduate of the School of Architecture at the University of Southern California . After early years working at Charles Kober Associates on multiple retail projects, including Plaza Pasadena , Jerde was commissioned by developer Ernie Hahn to design the Horton Plaza shopping center in downtown San Diego . The project
672-472: A march to the Seoul Peace Park. The Wilshire Center Business Improvement District (WCBID) holds the annual Earth Day / Car Free Day Festival every April 22 on Wilshire. KTOWN Night Market holds an annual festival at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools . The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority operates two subway lines in or near Koreatown — the B Line , beneath Vermont Avenue, and
768-450: A mile along Western Avenue to Rosewood Avenue is also included as part of Koreatown. In 2010, the City of Los Angeles considered expanding Koreatown further west to include Wilshire Park and Park Mile. The request was rejected, and the committee reiterated that the western boundary for Koreatown was at Western Avenue. The Koreatown Regional Commercial Center runs along Olympic Boulevard and
864-562: A popular tourist destination while also increasing economic inequality for locals. Protests against and in favor of building a homeless shelter took place in 2020. Since Koreatown has a Latino majority, it is not unusual to find Latino employees in restaurants and grocery stores speaking Korean with customers or Korean store owners engaging Latino customers in Spanish. An example of a cultural interchange between Koreans and Latinos in Koreatown
960-570: A popular tourist destination. Alton's location and historical heritage make it a popular destination for antique shopping, touring historic areas, and gambling aboard the Argosy Casino. Other Greater Alton attractions include Alton Marina; nine golf courses, including Spencer T. Olin, the only Arnold Palmer-designed and -managed course in Illinois or the St. Louis Metropolitan area; fine dining and night life; and
1056-523: A residential bishopric, is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see . Titular bishops appointed to the see have been John Clayton Nienstedt , and Josu Iriondo . On October 15, 1858, Alton was the site of the seventh Lincoln-Douglas debate . A memorial at the site in downtown Alton features oversized statues of Lincoln and Douglas, as they would have appeared during the debate. Congressional representatives came to Alton when they drafted
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#17328513242141152-513: A result of their low social status and language barrier. In late 2008, the City of Los Angeles designated Koreatown a special graphics district (along with Hollywood and the downtown neighborhood of South Park /LA Live). The designation allows for digital signage and electronic billboards, not permitted by city code , to be installed on building facades. The designation allowed Times Square and Shibuya District-inspired buildings lined with LCD jumbotrons . The 300-square block graphics district
1248-569: A significant role preceding and during the American Civil War . It was the site of the last Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debate in October 1858. The former state penitentiary in Alton was used during the Civil War to hold up to 12,000 Confederate prisoners of war. Although Alton once was growing faster than the nearby city of St. Louis, a coalition of St. Louis businessmen planned to build
1344-579: A variety of media for adults and children, strong performing arts programming including a monthly live music performance, and an outlet to the literary arts, through such programs as the "Poetry Out Loud" high school-level competition and support of the Alton Writers Guild. Alton is also home to the Alton Symphony Orchestra (ASO). As of 2011, the ASO was in its 66th season, and is considered one of
1440-616: A vibrant nightlife with many lively restaurants and clubs, especially Korean barbeque restaurants and karaoke bars. Asiana Airlines operates a sales office in Koreatown. Korean Air 's United States Passenger Operations headquarters are located in close proximity to Koreatown in the Westlake community. Grupo TACA operates a Los Angeles-area TACA Center in Suite 100P at 3600 Wilshire Boulevard. The Consulate-General of South Korea in Los Angeles
1536-482: Is "generally bounded by Eighth Street on the north, Twelfth Street on the south, Western Avenue on the west, and continues east towards Vermont Avenue", according to the Wilshire Community Plan of the City of Los Angeles. Google Maps draws the following boundaries for Koreatown: Vermont Avenue on the east, Western Avenue on the west, Third Street on the north and Olympic Boulevard on the south. According to
1632-402: Is Wilshire Boulevard, from Vermont to Western avenues. But the area extends south as Olympic Boulevard and north to Beverly Blvd, with spillover into adjacent Westlake and Hancock Park. In the early 1900s, Koreans clustered around the downtown Los Angeles Bunker Hill area. This housing segregation was due to racial covenant laws that restricted them to mixed-race, low-income districts. By
1728-723: Is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois , United States, about 18 miles (29 km) north of St. Louis, Missouri . The population was 25,676 at the 2020 census . It is a part of the River Bend area in the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area. It is well known for its limestone bluffs along the river north of the city. It the former location of an historical state penitentiary, and played
1824-415: Is a favorite spot to watch bald eagles , which feed on fish coming up in waters below the dam. A large bird sanctuary is located in an area of floodplain and wetlands on the west side of the river. The River Road goes right next to the river north to Grafton . Above that, it is often routed inland of the floodplain. It provides views of the dramatic contrast between the high cliffs of the Illinois side to
1920-583: Is at 3243 Wilshire Boulevard . The Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Los Angeles is at 443 Shatto Place, while the passport and visa office is on the third floor of 500 Shatto Place. The Consulate General of El Salvador is at 3450 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 250 and the Consulate General of Guatemala is at 3540 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 100. The Consulate General of Honduras and Nicaragua are at 3550 Wilshire Blvd. The Consulate General of Bolivia
2016-519: Is at 3701 Wilshire Blvd #1056. The Consulate General of Indonesia is at 3457 Wilshire Blvd., while the Consulate General of the Philippines , which has been in Koreatown since 1967, is presently located next door at the fifth floor of the Equitable Life Building at 3435 Wilshire Blvd. The Wilshire Center - Koreatown Neighborhood Council is designated by the City of Los Angeles to represent
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#17328513242142112-521: Is bordered by 6th Street and Olympic Boulevard on the north and south respectively, and St. Andrews Place and Shatto Place on the west and east respectively. The construction of the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools at the former site of the Ambassador Hotel highlighted the challenge of balancing resource expansion with business development and historic preservation. The schools were constructed with
2208-511: Is demonstrated by archaeological artifacts and the famous prehistoric Piasa bird painted on a cliff face nearby. The image was described in 1673 by French missionary priest Father Jacques Marquette . Alton was developed as a river town in January 1818 by Rufus Easton , who named it after his son. Easton ran a passenger ferry service across the Mississippi River to the Missouri shore. Alton
2304-494: Is housed in the old Alton High School complex. Alton Middle School serves grades 6–8. The school is made up of three buildings: the main building, annex, and Olin Building. The Main building is the oldest. It is of architectural interest for its Romanesque design . Alton Middle School is the largest middle school in Illinois, with approximately 1,500 students. The school system has a student program for 1st through 8th grades, covering
2400-593: Is located amid the confluence of three navigable rivers: the Illinois , the Mississippi, and the Missouri . Alton grew into a river trading town with an industrial character. The city rises steeply from the waterfront, where massive concrete grain silos and railroad tracks were constructed in the 19th and 20th centuries to store and ship the area's grains and produce. Brick commercial buildings are spread throughout downtown. Once
2496-630: Is now the site of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine . Alton station provides Amtrak intercity rail service along the Lincoln Service route. Trains travel north to Chicago Union Station , and south to Gateway Transportation Center in St. Louis. Madison County Transit provides bus service in the city with hubs downtown and at the Amtrak station. Alton has one daily newspaper, The Telegraph , formerly
2592-629: Is the Jones-Confluence Point State Park , where one can stand at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. According to the 2010 census, Alton has a total area of 16.736 square miles (43.35 km ), of which 15.47 square miles (40.07 km ) (or 92.44%) is land and 1.266 square miles (3.28 km ) (or 7.56%) is water. The National Great Rivers Museum is located at the new Lock and Dam No. 26, or Melvin Price Locks and Dam . The lock and dam are open for tours. The lock
2688-652: Is the National Great Rivers Museum [ Wikidata ] , which features tours of the dam itself several times per day. On the Missouri side is the Audubon Center at Riverlands , which is one of the best places in the world to view birds, as it lies near where the Mississippi Flyway merges the flight paths of the Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers. Also adjacent to the Audubon Center
2784-841: Is the State Assemblyman for District 53, which includes Koreatown. Jimmy Gomez of California's 34th congressional district represents the area in the United States House of Representatives . Four Fire Stations of the Los Angeles Fire Department serve Koreatown: Station 29 serving Southwest Koreatown at Wilshire Blvd. and Wilton Avenue. Station 13 serving Southeast Koreatown at Pico Blvd. and Westmoreland Avenue. Station 52 serving Northwest Koreatown at Melrose Avenue and Western Avenue. Station 6 serving Northeast Koreatown at Temple Street and Virgil Avenue. The Los Angeles Police Department provides police service to
2880-520: Is the popularity of Korean-inspired taco trucks in Los Angeles that feature classic Mexican food infused with Korean ingredients. The neighborhood lies 3 miles (5 km) west of downtown, 4 miles (6 km) southeast of Hollywood , 12 miles (19 km) east of Santa Monica Beach and 16 miles (26 km) northeast of Los Angeles International Airport . It is generally flat, with an average elevation of 200 feet (61 m). The boundaries of Koreatown are blurry; The most familiar thoroughfare
2976-513: The Alton Evening Telegraph . The Telegraph provides coverage of local news, as well as sports and relevant national news. Locally owned Big Z Media operates Radio Station WBGZ 1570AM and 107.1FM and Music Radio Station 94.3FM. In 2022, Big Z Media acquired AdVantage News , a free online (daily) and print newspaper, focusing on community features and hyperlocal news. Alton also has internet-based resource, Riverbender.com. Named for
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3072-416: The American Civil War , Union forces used it to hold prisoners of war, and some 12,000 Confederates were held there. During the smallpox epidemic of 1863–1864, an estimated 1500–2200 men died. A Confederate mass grave on the north side of Alton holds many of the dead from the epidemic and a memorial marks the site. Often when Confederate prisoners escaped, they tried to cross the Mississippi River back to
3168-566: The Catholic Church in 1857. Its first bishop was French-born Henry Damian Juncker . The new diocese had 58 churches, 18 priests, and 50,000 Catholics. When he died, 11 years later, the churches were 125, the priests more than 100, and the Catholics 80,000. He was succeeded by Peter Joseph Baltes from Germany (1869–1886) and James Ryan (1888–1923). In 1923 the bishop's seat was moved to Springfield, Illinois . The Diocese of Alton, no longer
3264-493: The Korean National Association , one of the largest Korean immigrant political organizations, moved its central headquarters from San Francisco to Los Angeles to continue promoting political, cultural, educational, and religious activities. However, racial covenant laws and economic constraints limited Korean residents to an area bounded by Adams Boulevard to the north, Slauson Avenue to the south, Western Avenue to
3360-538: The Mapping L.A. project of the Los Angeles Times, Koreatown has the following boundaries: Beverly Boulevard on the north, Virgil Avenue, Wilshire Place and Westmoreland Avenue on the east, Olympic Boulevard on the south and Crenshaw Boulevard and Wilton Place on the west. The neighborhood is flanked by East Hollywood to the north, Westlake to the east, Pico-Union , Harvard Heights and Arlington Heights to
3456-457: The Mid-Wilshire area. Many opened businesses as they found rent and tolerance toward the growing Korean population. Many of the historic Art Deco buildings with terra cotta façades have been preserved because the buildings remained economically viable for the new businesses. Despite the name evoking a traditional ethnic enclave , the community is complex and has an impact on areas outside
3552-539: The Mississippi Flyway ; winter visitors come to see the bald eagles that roost on the Illinois limestone bluffs and feed on fish in the river. It is the area of the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway . A few miles to the north is Père Marquette State Park , with a WPA -era lodge and attractions including trails for hikers and riders, and horses for hire. On January 28, 2010, Illinois
3648-605: The Southern Illinois University Dental School. The Sisters of St Francis of the Martyr St George have their American province motherhouse in Alton. In 1937 two commercial fishermen from Alton caught a bull shark in the Mississippi River. Late that summer they had realized something was troubling their wood and mesh traps. Concluding that it was a fish, they built a strong wire trap and baited it with chicken guts. The next morning, they caught
3744-781: The Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution, to permanently end slavery throughout the Union. Alton resident and US Senator Lyman Trumbull , chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , co-wrote the Thirteenth Amendment. His Alton home, the Lyman Trumbull House , is a National Historic Monument. Just two weeks into the American Civil War , Alton played a role in the infamous Camp Jackson Affair , which led to
3840-511: The Travel Channel series, Ghost Adventures . Alton was featured on the third season of the Hulu series Small Business Revolution. Koreatown, Los Angeles Koreatown ( Korean : 코리아타운 , Koriataun ) is a neighborhood in central Los Angeles, California , centered near Eighth Street and Irolo Street. Koreans began immigrating in larger numbers in the 1960s and found housing in
3936-527: The Underground Railroad to aid slaves escaping to the North . On November 7, 1837, the abolitionist printer Reverend Elijah P. Lovejoy was murdered by a pro- slavery mob while he tried to protect his Alton-based press from being destroyed for the third time. He had moved from St. Louis because of opposition there. He had printed many abolitionist tracts and distributed them throughout the area. When one of
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4032-911: The Urban Land Institute Awards of Excellence: Asia Pacific, 2009; Roppongi Hills in Tokyo , Japan; Kanyon in Istanbul , Turkey and Zlote Tarasy in Warsaw , Poland. More recently the firm has designed: The Vermont, a multifamily development in Los Angeles's Koreatown , the Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay Resort and Spa in Hainan, China ; Puerto Cancun Marina Town Center in Cancun, Mexico ; and Pacific City in Huntington Beach , California. Jerde
4128-477: The 1930s, Koreans began to move to Jefferson Boulevard between Western and Vermont Avenue. The next major shift began in the 1960s. As the African American population increased in southern Los Angeles, middle-class White Americans began to move out of the mid-Wilshire district. The area north of Olympic Boulevard transitioned from a predominantly white suburb to a home for Asian residents. The area has become
4224-604: The 1993 flood, was featured in the documentary Super Bridge on Nova . In 2021, voters in the city elected David Goins as Alton's first black mayor. Alton is located on the Mississippi River above the mouth of the Missouri River . Most of Alton is located on bluffs overlooking the river valley. The Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway runs along the Alton riverfront. A monument and observatory tower, Confluence Tower , located next to
4320-527: The 5-foot 84-pound shark, which they displayed in the Calhoun Fish Market, where it attracted crowds for days. World War II saw a group of seven brothers join the military and variously became decorated veterans. Among these were Millard Glen Gray, who was decorated by Douglas MacArthur , and Neil Gray, who received the Silver Star . In 1954, the city of Alton was named as one of three finalists for
4416-483: The Arsenal and capture its 39,000 small arms, Secretary of War Simon Cameron ordered Lyon (by that time in acting command) to evacuate the majority of the arms to Illinois. 21,000 guns were secretly evacuated to Alton on the evening of April 29, 1861. The first penitentiary in Illinois was built in Alton. While only a corner of it within a few blocks of the river remains, it once extended nearly to "Church Hill". During
4512-417: The City of Los Angeles, broken up into 21 local divisions. Koreatown is served by Olympic Division . The new station completed construction and opened for service on January 4, 2009. 21.4% of Koreatown residents aged 25 and older have a four-year degree, an average rate for both the city and the county. The percentage of residents with less than a high school diploma was high for the county. Schools within
4608-476: The Great Flood of 1993. The award-winning cable-stayed design was done by Hanson Engineers of Springfield, Illinois . Pieces of cables identical to those of the bridge were handed out in educational settings all over the city to allow the city's children to "take home a piece of the bridge". The complex work of construction of the bridge, in which engineers had to deal with the strong river current, barge traffic and
4704-524: The Koreatown borders are: The Korean Education Center, affiliated with the government of South Korea, is in Suite 200 at 680 Wilshire Place. Southwestern Law School offers degree and non-degree programs in the Westmoreland Building and the former Bullock's Wilshire building at 3050 Wilshire Boulevard. Annual festivals include the Korean Festival & Parade on Olympic Boulevard, with
4800-873: The Las Vegas Fremont Street Experience in 1995 and the Bellagio in Las Vegas in 1998. The firm has developed into a major international company with key urban regeneration projects overseas, including Beursplein in Rotterdam , Netherlands, and Canal City Hakata in Fukuoka , Japan, both in 1996, as well as other projects in Japan , China and Europe . Jerde is also responsible for a string of landmark urban mixed-use developments, including: Namba Parks in Osaka , Japan, awarded
4896-432: The Madison County Arts Council), a not-for-profit organization that supports local arts and art education and is partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council. It is located on Broadway between Henry and Ridge Streets in the building that housed the Jacoby Furniture Store for nearly 100 years. The JAC is a regional arts center, serving 17 counties throughout south central Illinois, providing a public art gallery, art classes in
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#17328513242144992-441: The Middle School. This program gives participating students access to wider knowledge as well as special projects. Marquette Catholic High School , named after the French explorer, Father Jacques Marquette , serves the area as well. Its sports teams are called the Explorers. Alton was home to Shurtleff College from 1827 to 1957 and prominent military prep school Western Military Academy from 1879 to 1971. The Shurtleff campus
5088-446: The area's citizens' concerns to the city. The area represented by the council includes Koreatown and Wilshire Center , as well as parts of MacArthur Park , Hancock Park , and Mid-Wilshire . Koreatown lies within Los Angeles City Council District 10 . As of 2023, it is represented on the city council by Heather Hutt . The area is represented by Holly Mitchell , Supervisor of District 2 for Los Angeles County . Miguel Santiago
5184-403: The average family size was 3.02. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males. The median income for a household in the city
5280-445: The average number of teaching years in the district is 13.5; the high school graduation rate is 97.7%; the elementary pupil-teacher ratio is 18.9; and the secondary pupil-teacher ratio is 22.3. The Alton High School has an award-winning math team and music program. Alton High School offers an honors program. Alton High School is the new public school, complete with a three-court gymnasium and six tennis courts. The Alton Middle School
5376-439: The broad, flat, green agricultural countryside of Portage des Sioux, Missouri . The Great River Road is a popular bicycle touring route. Hidden in a notch of the cliff is the tiny village of Elsah , once a down-and-dirty, liquor-soaked tugboaters' retreat, now with renovated properties and antique shops in historic houses. As of the census of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 12,518 households, and 7,648 families residing in
5472-433: The city. The population density was 1,949.3 inhabitants per square mile (752.6/km ). There were 13,894 housing units at an average density of 888.1 per square mile (342.9/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 72.3% White , 24.7% African American , 0.18% Native American , 0.4% Asian , <0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.7% from other races , and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.5% of
5568-409: The confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in neighboring Hartford, IL , has been constructed to provide an overview of the Great Rivers area. This point also marks the beginning of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition . Also on the river at Alton is Lock and Dam 26 , the newest and busiest lock and dam complex on the main channel of the Mississippi River. Adjacent to it on the Illinois side
5664-551: The economic and social policies of the Republican Party . The conservatives also tended to emphasize the political differences between Koreans and other minorities, specifically Blacks and Hispanics. Despite this divide within the Korean American community, the 1992 riots also inspired further efforts to build coalitions. The 1992 Koreatown Peace Rally was a record-setting demonstration with over 30,000 attendees representing intergenerational and interethnic solidarity. The week-long rioting and looting destroyed much of Koreatown. There
5760-433: The eviction of Missouri Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson from office. The State of Missouri's neutrality was tested in a conflict over the St. Louis Arsenal . The Federal Government reinforced the Arsenal's tiny garrison with several detachments, including a force from the 2nd Infantry under Captain Nathaniel Lyon . Concerned by widespread reports that Governor Jackson intended to use the Missouri Volunteer Militia to attack
5856-424: The highest density of any community in Los Angeles County . In 2008, the city estimated that the population had increased to 124,281. The median age for residents was 30, an average age for both the city and Los Angeles County . Koreatown is considered "highly diverse" ethnically. The breakdown is Latinos , 53.5%; Asians , 32.2%; whites, 7.4%; blacks , 4.8%, and others, 2%. Korea (28.6%) and Mexico (23.9%) were
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#17328513242145952-603: The housing units, and house- or apartment owners the rest. The percentages of never-married men and women, 44.6% and 36.2%, respectively, were among the county's highest. There were 2,833 military veterans in 2000, or 3.3%, a low figure for Los Angeles. In 2022, there were 435 homeless individuals in Koreatown. Olympic Boulevard has blocks dominated by Korean-language signs and new blue-tile-roofed shopping centers. This initial Korean business area has spread to an area bounded by Olympic Boulevard, Vermont Avenue, 8th Street and Western Avenue. The Korean business area also sprawls to
6048-485: The intention of increasing educational opportunities for low-income Latina/Latino and Korean students, but the $ 578 million construction cost made the complex the most expensive public school in United States history. By 2020, Koreatown was "known for having one of the largest concentrations of nightclubs and 24-hour businesses and restaurants in the country. Other developments, such as the opening of new metro stations, shopping centers, and strip malls, have made Koreatown
6144-450: The jug and turn to leave, shot her in the head. Some historians view Du's posting bail as the breaking point in tensions. The 1992 Los Angeles riots stimulated a new wave of political activism among Korean-Americans, but also split them into two camps. The liberals sought to unite with other minorities in Los Angeles to fight against racial oppression and scapegoating . The conservatives emphasized law and order and generally favored
6240-423: The late 1960s, the surrounding neighborhood began to enter a steep economic decline. The once-glamorous mid-Wilshire area became filled with vacant commercial and office space that attracted wealthier South Korean immigrants. They found inexpensive housing and many opened businesses in Koreatown. Many of the area's Art Deco buildings with terracotta facades were preserved because they remained economically viable with
6336-436: The local bend in the Mississippi River, Riverbender is a portal serving local and national news, sports, obits, classifieds, and events. In 2007 it was the first company to broadcast the Alton High School 's sports games live online. The 1979 feature film Dreamer , starring Tim Matheson , Susan Blakely and Jack Warden , was primarily shot on location in Alton. The McPike Mansion and Mineral Springs Hotel were featured on
6432-483: The location of the new United States Air Force Academy . Alton lost to the winning site of Colorado Springs, Colorado . Because of Alton's location at the Mississippi River, the Great Flood of 1993 with its high water levels caused severe damage to the city. Alton's water supply was cut off due to flooding, and townspeople had to be supplied with bottled water for more than three weeks. Many local businesses, including Anheuser-Busch of St. Louis, donated funds to help
6528-443: The mainstay of the Korean American community, although varying sources have established different boundaries for Koreatown. In 1980, the neighborhood of Koreatown was officially designated by Los Angeles. The city of Los Angeles has set the official boundaries for Koreatown as Vermont Avenue on the east, Western Avenue on the west, Third Street on the north, and Olympic Boulevard on the south. A business corridor running about 3/4 of
6624-474: The majority of businesses. When White residents left the area, Koreans purchased their businesses from them for little money. Rapper Ice Cube spoke of this, along with Asian suspicion of Black residents in his 1991 album Death Certificate during the song "Black Korea". On March 16, 1991, a Korean store owner, Soon Ja Du, shot and killed a 15-year-old Black customer, Latasha Harlins . Du accused Harlins of stealing orange juice, and after watching her put down
6720-441: The mall would lose business to centers in nearby Mission Valley as they renovated and to big box retailers , from a limited ability to capitalize on the resurgence of foot traffic on the adjacent Gaslamp District streets due to its physically being cut off behind parking garages, and from the 2010s retail apocalypse , so that by 2019 it was set to close and be converted to a workplace for the tech industry. The Jerde Partnership
6816-427: The maximal lines-of-sight to merchandise. Its fragmented spaces were finished in a variety of bright colors. The project was completed in 1985. Jerde's Horton Plaza brought 25 million visitors in its first year, and as of 2004 continued to generate San Diego's highest sales per unit area . Jerde claimed that the project also sparked nearly $ 2.4 billion in redevelopment to the surrounding area and downtown core. Later
6912-405: The mob made a move to set the old warehouse on fire, Lovejoy, armed with only a pistol, went outside to try to stop him. The pro-slavery man shot him dead (with a shotgun, five rounds through the midsection). The mob stormed the warehouse and threw Lovejoy's printing press into the Mississippi. Lovejoy thus became the first martyr of the abolition movement. Alton became the seat of a diocese of
7008-427: The most common places of birth for the 68% of the residents who were born abroad, a figure that is considered high compared to the city as a whole. The median annual household income in 2008 dollars was $ 30,558, a low figure for Los Angeles, and the percentage of households that earned less than $ 20,000 was high. The average household size of 2.7 people was about the same as the rest of the city. Renters occupied 93% of
7104-477: The new commercial activity that occupied them. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 removed restrictions on Asian migration and helped further the growth of the immigrant community in Koreatown. By the late 1970s, most businesses in the Olympic Boulevard and 8th Street areas were owned by Koreans. This economic boom led to the creation of Korean media outlets and community organizations, which played
7200-461: The north and south along Western and Vermont for three miles, and to the east and west along Olympic for two miles. South Korean investment has been a large contributor to the neighborhood economy since the 1960s. Since the early 2000s, that investment has increased greatly, ballooning to an estimated $ 1 billion in new construction investment. Jamison Services, Inc is Koreatown's biggest landlord and most prolific residential builder. The area also has
7296-466: The number of Koreans increased to the hundreds, their residential and commercial activities spread to the southwestern corner of the Los Angeles business district, putting them within walking distance of Little Tokyo and Chinatown . By the 1930s, approximately 650 Koreans resided in Los Angeles. They established churches, restaurants, and community organizations, as well as businesses that primarily focused on vegetable and fruit distribution. In 1936,
7392-449: The people of Alton. The original bridge connecting Alton with West Alton, Missouri , was a two-lane (one in each direction) bridge that had become a hazard for motorists and a hindrance for emergency vehicles. The northernmost bridge in the St. Louis metropolitan area, it was torn down in the 1990s. The current Clark Bridge , with two lanes of divided traffic in each direction, plus two bike lanes, opened in 1994. Work had proceeded during
7488-408: The population. There were 12,518 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and
7584-718: The premier community orchestras in the Midwest. Musicians range from young adults in their teens to senior citizens. It holds four regular season concerts, a stylish pops concert, and a children's concert; the symphony offers performances to entertain and educate diverse sectors of the community. Founded in 1934 as a community theater, the Alton Little Theater continues to produce a full season of dramatic and comedic plays and musicals. Its all-volunteer members bring quality theater productions to Alton in an intimate setting. The Alton high schools all offer theatrical productions throughout
7680-569: The rest of the city. In 1882, the United States and Korea established the United States-Korea Treaty of 1882 , which ended Korea's self-imposed isolation. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Korea paved the way for Korean immigration to Hawaii in the late 1880s. In the early 1900s, Korean immigrants began making their way to Los Angeles, where they created communities based around ethnic churches. As
7776-530: The school year as well. Alton Children's Theater, founded in 1958 by Solveig Sullivan, has provided live theater for children through the years. The plays are now held at Lewis and Clark Community College 's Hatheway Hall. For many years, the company has performed for up to 10,000 children annually. This all-volunteer membership hires a professional director, who works with the members for the annual week of performances. Based on 2006 district data, Alton Community Unit School District 11 enrollment stands at 6,480;
7872-539: The site of several brick factories, Alton has an unusually high number of streets still paved in brick. The lower levels of Alton are subject to floods, many of which have inundated the historic downtown area. The dates of different flood levels are marked on the large grain silos, part of the Ardent Mills, near the Argosy Casino at the waterfront. The flood of 1993 is considered the worst of the last century. Alton became an important town for abolitionists , as Illinois
7968-562: The slave state of Missouri . Alton native Robert Pershing Wadlow , listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest man at 8 feet 11.1 inches tall, 2.72 m, is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in the area known as Upper Alton. The earth over his grave was raised so visitors can compare its length to other graves. A memorial to him, including a life-sized statue and a replica of his chair, stands on College Avenue, across from
8064-413: The south, Mid-Wilshire and Windsor Square to the west and Larchmont to the northwest. This version of Koreatown includes the neighborhoods of Wilshire Center , Wilshire Park and part of Park Mile . Koreatown is one of the densest neighborhoods in the United States. The 2000 U.S. census counted 115,070 residents in the 2.7-square-mile neighborhood—an average of 42,611 people per square mile,
8160-525: The town. Local industry also includes Cope Plastics and Hanley Industries. Alton was home to once-thriving, now defunct, industries such as the Owens-Illinois Glass Bottle Works and Alton Box Board Company (a maker of all types of cardboard boxes for all types of uses). Restructuring in the industry in the mid-20th century led Alton to create a new future. It has facilities for corporate and vacation retreats and it has transitioned into
8256-508: The traditional boundaries. While the neighborhood culture was historically oriented to the Korean immigrant population, Korean business owners are creating stronger ties to the Latino community in Koreatown. The community is highly diverse ethnically, with half the residents being Latino and a third being Asian. Two-thirds of the residents were born outside of the United States, a high figure compared to
8352-635: The west, and Vermont Avenue to the east. The 1930s also saw the height of the area's association with Hollywood . The Ambassador Hotel hosted the Academy Awards ceremony in 1930, 1931, 1932, and 1934. As the entertainment industry grew in the surrounding Koreatown area, Koreans remained segregated into low-income districts because of discriminatory housing policies. After the 1948 Shelley v. Kraemer Supreme Court case prohibited racially restrictive housing policies, Koreans began to move north of Olympic Boulevard to establish new homes and businesses. In
8448-491: Was $ 31,213, and the median income for a family was $ 37,910. Males had a median income of $ 33,083 versus $ 22,485 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,817. About 14.7% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, Alton became a town of heavy industry and manufacturing. Laclede Steel established major steel manufacturing operations in
8544-400: Was $ 50 million worth of damage done, half of which was on Korean-owned businesses. During the riots, roads between Koreatown and safer neighborhoods were blocked off. Some Korean-Americans speculated that they were being trapped in the danger. One resident said, "It was containment. The police cut off traffic out of Koreatown, while we were trapped on the other side without help. Those roads are
8640-482: Was a commercial center for a large agricultural area. Numerous residences on hills have sweeping views of the Mississippi River. The Alton area was home to Native Americans for thousands of years before the 19th-century founding by European Americans of the modern city. Historic accounts indicate occupation of this area by the Illinois Confederation at the time of European contact. Earlier native settlement
8736-619: Was a five-story outdoor retail complex, with the main passage being diagonally oriented to the street grid and at the time anchored by Nordstrom , The Broadway , and J. W. Robinson's department stores; and connected to a Westin Hotel and the Balboa Theatre , resulting in an urban mixed-use center . It featured long one-way ramps and sudden drop-offs, parapets, shadowy colonnades and cul-de-sacs. Its design broke many traditional mall-design rules such as lowering ambient arousal levels and protecting
8832-438: Was a free state, separated from the slave state of Missouri only by the Mississippi River. Pro-slavery activists also lived there and slave catchers often raided the city. Escaped slaves would cross the river to seek shelter in Alton, and proceed to safer places through stations of the Underground Railroad . During the years before the American Civil War , several homes were equipped with tunnels and hiding places for stations on
8928-643: Was accidentally shot to death by Korean shopkeepers who mistook him and his friends for looters. Hyungwon Kang captured a photograph of Lee's body in the street. The 1992 unrest had a significant impact on the community, solidifying the importance of community-based nonprofit organizations, such as the Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC) and Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA) (see Community Organizations section). These organizations advocated for reparations and protections for Korean Americans, who received little support from government authorities as
9024-864: Was involved in the design and planning of the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics . Based on the success of both Horton and the Olympics, the firm designed Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA in 1989, the Mall of America in Bloomington , Minnesota in 1992, the Urban Entertainment Center Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles , the pirate show and facade of the Treasure Island Casino in Vegas in 1993,
9120-589: Was named the first recipient of the USC School of Architecture's Distinguished Alumnus award, in 1985, and became a fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1990. Jerde died on February 9, 2015, at his home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles; he had been suffering from cancer and Alzheimer's disease . He was 75. Alton, Illinois Alton ( / ˈ ɔː l t ən / AWL -tən )
9216-546: Was selected for a $ 1.2 billion federal award to bring high-speed passenger rail service to Illinois by 2015–2017. Alton has been selected as a station stop on a line running from St. Louis to Chicago, and opened on September 13, 2017. Alton won the Small Business Revolution: Main Street contest and got a $ 100,000 boost to its community. Alton is home to the Jacoby Arts Center (JAC) (formerly
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