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But LA wasn’t a major city in 1910. It became one overnight, but post-1910. So the two questions are legacy city, and major city. In my mind, legacy cities are industrialized cities from 1860-1920. Major cities in my mind are usually top 15 or so cities. So Seattle would probably be closest to fitting my definition, but I’m unsure I’d call it such.
1910 Los Angeles:
-320,000 population
-national oil business leader
-stock exchange
-high rise boom similar to today's skyscraper boom
Based on the above city populations, Portland, Seattle and Denver had the longest histories of being sizeable cities. But of those 3 which have the most intact historic districts I'm not sure, perhaps Portland?
Based on the above city populations, Portland, Seattle and Denver had the longest histories of being sizeable cities. But of those 3 which have the most intact historic districts I'm not sure, perhaps Portland?
Good data.
Portland has a much stronger case than Atlanta.
Significant turn of in the century population boom.
Established as a port city prior to 1900.
Don't have a time machine but I'll bet Portland was considered more important than Atlanta from 1900-1940.
-320,000 population
-national oil business leader
-stock exchange
-high rise boom similar to today's skyscraper boom
Not a lock but there is a case.
It was the 17th largest city in the country, so probably a questionable major. But it was also 33% and 50% bigger than Seattle and Denver at that time. By 1920, LA was 82% and 125% bigger respectively. LA muscled it’s way into a major legacy city, in my mind, right under the wire. I don’t think Seattle or Denver (or any of the others) did. They were sizable cities, but not necessarily hitting their stride until the following decades as many legacy cities began faltering. The cities here were, at best, in the Rochester and Toledo tier during the heyday of industrialization. The legacy major cities were much bigger.
It was the 17th largest city in the country, so probably a questionable major. But it was also 33% and 50% bigger than Seattle and Denver at that time. By 1920, LA was 82% and 125% bigger respectively. LA muscled it’s way into a major legacy city, in my mind, right under the wire. I don’t think Seattle or Denver (or any of the others) did. They were sizable cities, but not necessarily hitting their stride until the following decades as many legacy cities began faltering. The cities here were, at best, in the Rochester and Toledo tier during the heyday of industrialization. The legacy major cities were much bigger.
Presumably the PNW was much harder to develop at the time Seattle and Portland crossed 100,000 population than
Ohio or NY. Just getting there was probably an ordeal
I think that gives them extra weight.
Presumably the PNW was much harder to develop at the time Seattle and Portland crossed 100,000 population than
Ohio or NY. Just getting there was probably an ordeal
I think that gives them extra weight.
Is El Paso closer towards being a major city because it’s in the middle of a desert? Major city status isn’t graded on a curve.
Based on the above city populations, Portland, Seattle and Denver had the longest histories of being sizeable cities. But of those 3 which have the most intact historic districts I'm not sure, perhaps Portland?
Thanks for the data!
I can't speak on Denver, but regarding the other two cities, Portland seems more historically intact than Seattle. I can't find exact numbers, but Portland has more buildings & structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places than Seattle.
Is El Paso closer towards being a major city because it’s in the middle of a desert? Major city status isn’t graded on a curve.
Was El Paso a regional capital with the tallest building outside of NYC by 1914?
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