BUNKER HILL STEPS

The Bunker Hill Steps linking Hope Street to Fifth Street is Los Angeles' architectural translation of Rome's Spanish Steps and, indeed, are often referred to as the "Spanish Steps." Designed by Lawrence Halprin, the 103 steps are divided by a raised, mock rock bottom cascading water channel that originates at the top of the stairs in a fountain featuring an idealized female form by the sculptor Robert Graham. Entitled "Source Figure," 1992 (see photo pg. 19), the small-scaled sculpture represents the fertile female and her symbolic association with the continuum of life, as expressed in the water she offers this ever-thirsty, semi-arid city. This continuum of life is also expressed in the lush, flowering plantings and in the social life that takes place on the terraced seating of the restaurants adjoining the Library Tower. To make the scene accessible to all, an elevator and escalator edge the steps. All offer wonderful views of the sunburst gold, pyramidal-topped Los Angeles Public Library.

Immediately west of the park steps is the horizontally-banded silver 444 Building, which gained fame as the building where Harry Hamlin, Susan Dey, Corbin Bernsen and Jimmy Smits engaged in various plot trysts and turns in television's L.A. Law, 1986-1994.   Bunker Hill Steps Open 24 hours

At the bottom of the Steps you will see The Los Angeles Public Library across Fifth Street. Angels Walk continues there, or you can turn left for a "SIDE STROLL." A SIDE STROLL is where you venture two or three blocks off the Walk and then come back to it. The SIDE STROLL pages will be marked with an ORANGE edge.