The idea for Baldwin Hills Village originated in the 1930s when prominent Los Angeles architect Reginald Johnson (1882-1952) decided to create a new type of community. The intent was to provide affordable housing to help the nation recover from the devastation of the Great Depression. Constructed between 1935 and 1942, Baldwin Hills incorporates mature "garden city" planning concepts and an elegant beaux-art design. The community’s plan has received many awards and national recognition for its advances in community planning and architecture. The 64 acre property contains 162 contributing resources that date from the 1935-1942 period of significance.

Information provided by the National Registry of Historic Places, a program of the National Park Service.