The Los Angeles Pigeon Ranch, c. 1898-1914

04/06/2026

Photograph taken by C. W. Elwell, “Looking North from Elysian Park, L.A. Dec 1914 [sic]”

On left is the Los Angeles Pigeon Farm, which was a major tourist attraction located in the Cypress Park area, along the banks of the Los Angeles River.

Established in the late 19th century, it housed thousands of pigeons, reportedly up to 100,000, primarily for their guano (used as fertilizer) and for squab meat.

The image shows several of the eight long, low-slung buildings that made up the farm's massive coops.

The farm was largely destroyed during a massive flood in 1914, shortly after this photo was likely taken, which swept many of the buildings and birds into the river.

The tracks in front of the farm belong to the Southern Pacific Railroad.

The hill directly behind the farm is Mount Washington, where the Mount Washington Hotel (now the Self-Realization Fellowship) was a landmark even then.

The neighborhoods visible further out include Highland Park and parts of Lincoln Heights.

02/18/2025

c.1900 photo of pigeons from a commercial pigeon farm along the Los Angeles River, with the Verdugo Mountains in the distance

02/18/2025

"Los Angeles Pigeon Farm" and the Los Angeles River
1907 commercial postcard made in Germany
for Newman Post Card Company of Los Angeles, Cal.

02/18/2025

Los Angeles Pigeon Farm
commercial postcard made in Germany
for A.C. Bosselman and Co. of New York

04/14/2024

“How would you like to have all these pigeons?”

04/09/2024

01/23/2024

A photo from the Los Angeles flood of 1914, which destroyed the Los Angeles Pigeon Ranch.

Over 100 homes were lost in the flood of 1914. This image was taken in what's known today as Highland Park. Charles C. Puck Collection of Photographs, The Huntington.

10/02/2023

Another Newman post card, also made in Germany

08/20/2023

Los Angeles Department of Public Works