NewsCalifornia News

Actions

Fire destroys historic Los Angeles Poor Farm buildings

Firefighter (FILE)
Posted
and last updated

DOWNEY, Calif. (AP) — Fire departments say a fire has destroyed more of the historic Los Angeles County Poor Farm.

The Downey Fire Department announced Thursday that the fire on the vacant south campus of the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center has been put out.

The sprawling campus opened in 1888, offering ranch work and medical care to disabled, ill, elderly and homeless people.

It became a hospital for chronic illnesses until the 1950s, when a polio epidemic turned it into a rehabilitation center.

The property is split by Imperial Highway. KCAL-TV reports the abandoned buildings on the south side have been plagued by vandalism.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Thursday

12/18/2025

AM Clouds/PM Sun

57° / 46°

5%

Friday

12/19/2025

AM Clouds/PM Sun

51° / 47°

15%

Saturday

12/20/2025

Partly Cloudy

58° / 49°

7%

Sunday

12/21/2025

Mostly Cloudy

60° / 48°

4%

Monday

12/22/2025

Mostly Cloudy

59° / 49°

6%

Tuesday

12/23/2025

Mostly Cloudy

61° / 56°

11%

Wednesday

12/24/2025

Rain

60° / 54°

74%

Thursday

12/25/2025

PM Showers

60° / 51°

33%