I happened to glance at an article entitled, "Sanitation of Dwellings, Public Buildings, and Thoroughfares" from the
Thirteenth Biennial Report of the State Board of Health of California (1892-94) and noticed this:
Hathitrust --
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?i...ew=1up;seq=270
That's the First Presbyterian Church on the SE corner of Second and Fort/Broadway, which opened in April 1883.
I decided to compare some photos of the church.
This one looks north on Broadway from Third c. 1884:
USCDL --
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/re...coll65/id/1764
Also c. 1884, and we're looking east. There was definitely something at the very top:
USCDL --
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/re...coll65/id/1759
But in this c. 1890 view looking east, that something is gone:
USCDL --
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/re...coll65/id/5583
Also c. 1890, but looking southeast at just a cross at the very top:
USCDL --
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/re...coll65/id/5581
Apparently there really was some ridicule:
January 26, 1887,
Los Angeles Times @ LAPL
Gabriel was removed:
January 27, 1887,
Los Angeles Times @ LAPL
So if you ever have trouble putting an exact date to a photo of Second and Fort, check the
top of the First Presbyterian Church's steeple!