James Boon Lankershim (March 24, 1850 – October 16, 1931) was an American heir, landowner and real estate developer.

[1] He built the Hotel Lankershim (completed 1905) on the corner of Broadway and 7th Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, now demolished and used as space for a parking lot.

[1] He also built the San Fernando Building on the corner of 4th Avenue and Main Street, where his name is embedded in the tiles at the entrance.

[2] In 1924, silent actress Adele Blood introduced him to Irene Herbert, a nurse who became his companion for four years until his family fired her.

[1] After his death, Irene Herbert claimed she had a $500,000 promissory note from her former employer and sued the Lankershim family, but later dropped the case and committed suicide.