In 1865, the Vincentian Fathers were commissioned by Bishop Thaddeus Amat y Brusi to found St. Vincent's College for boys in Los Angeles.

After two years, the college and school moved into a new, brick building several blocks south by the lower plaza, Pershing Square.

Later, the brick building was replaced with a larger one in stone that became a familiar landmark for its stately, central tower topped by a mansard roof.

When St. Vincent's later moved to a new campus, the old building became US Army Headquarters, and in 1907, the large Bullock’s department store was built and operated here until 1983.

Like the second college building by Pershing Square, the new retained a tall, central tower topped with St. Vincent's trademark mansard roof.