Profile And History Of L.A.'s Skid Row

The Los Angeles Times takes a gritty look at a 50-block area of "grime, despair, struggle and hope known as skid row."

1 minute read

August 26, 2005, 7:00 AM PDT

Skid row, also called Central City East, is no accident. It came about through deliberate civic policies that at the time were considered humane.

Question: Why is it called skid row?

"Answer: In the timber industry, 'skid road' refers to a path paved with logs or tree trunks along which other logs are skidded into water for delivery to saw mills, according to Webster's. It is claimed that the term "skid row" originated in Seattle, which had a thriving lumber industry. During the Great Depression, Seattle's "Skid Road" went into decline, attracting vagrants, winos and brothels. Skid row (with "row" replacing "road") became synonymous with the part of town where vagrants and alcoholics congregate."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

FULL STORY: Near Downtown's Glitter Lies a Civic Problem

Wednesday, August 24, 2005 in The Los Angeles Times

Community / Economic Development California

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