Typically, a mall-type complex of the 1950s would have been promoted as either a Center, Plaza, Shopping City or Square. The owners of WHITTIER DOWNS were quite forward-thinking. They named their Southeastern Los Angeles County shopping hub WHITTIER DOWNS MALL way back in August 1955. This was -apparently- the first retail complex in the United States to be officially promoted as a mall.
Graphic from Whittier Downs Management Company
Photo from Kelly-Holiday Aerial Photo Collection / University of California
The King Cole Market, which anchored KING COLE SQUARE, opened for business in June 1951. The high-end Mid-Century Modern grocery -and its adjacent strip center- were eventually considered to be an outparcel of WHITTIER DOWNS MALL.
Photo from http://socalarchhistory.blogspot.com
The interior of the King Cole Market. It encompassed 25,000 square feet.
Photo from http://socalarchhistory.blogspot.com
