The Farmers Market in Los Angeles first opened in 1934, but was originally a dairy farm owned by A.F. Gilmore and a partner in 1870. Oil was actually discovered on the site in 1905 and the Gilmore Oil Company occupied the space.
The large derricks were eventually outlawed, and the land remained empty until 1934 when two businessmen, Fred Beck and Roger Dahlhjelm, approached A.F.’s son, Earl Bell, with the idea of letting farmers and merchants park their trucks at the corner of Third and Fairfax and sell fresh produce from the back of the trucks. By October 1934, the market was really popular, and more farmers and merchants moved into permanent stalls.
I think that’s what surprised me the most: that the market is permanent. I should have known this, because it’s so old, but it just didn’t occur to me. I was expecting lots of fresh produce and flowers, but they were in short supply. No matter. The place oozes retro charm and is a great spot for eating and people-watching. Jimmy Kimmel often shoots segments of his show here and the market was the setting for an episode of Entourage. Let’s stroll through it….
I love the vintage look of this Starbucks sign.
All of the produce photos were shot at this particular stand. I didn’t really notice the tree in the second photo until I looked on the computer. 🙂
I also liked all the colorful tables with mint-colored chairs.
The pies were even more drool-worthy in person.
This crêperie looked so cute, but I have to confess I can’t stand crepes made in the U.S. I’ve tried many, and they’re either too rubbery or sweet or blah-tasting. American crêpes just can’t compare to the ones I had in Bretagne. Best ever.
The “fudge brownie monster” sounded amazing, but we decided on ice cream at this place:
The coffee ice cream was fantastic. 🙂
Hope your week’s going well so far.
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
I like your story and pictures, very colorful!
Thanks so much!
The fudge brownie monster?!? I definitely want to know more. I hope you get to go back to the farmer’s market soon to get a close up photo of that concoction!
Oh, Jackie, I didn’t dare. One of my favorite desserts is a brownie topped with ice cream and hot fudge sauce. I’m sure this was similar or worse and I can’t go near that stuff anymore!
Lovely post. I just love to go to the L.A. Farmers Market.
Thanks, Cornelia! You’re lucky to be so close. It is a bit of a hike for us.
Great post. You did know my grandmother was from Brittany? She taught my father who taught me to do a real crêpe. 🙂 They have to be very thin, transparent.
No! Oh, Caroline, you lucky thing. They were thin and almost crispy in Bretagne. Loved the ones with ham and cheese and of course, chocolate and banana.
A classic dessert crêpe is with sugar and lemon juice. I like them with with Roquefort cheese.
I never tried those combos, but they sound interesting. Never really got used to the hard cider that was served with them either. How I wish I’d taken photos of the people making the crepes.