A BOLTON architect who designed some of the most iconic buildings in Los Angeles has been honoured by having a square named after him.

John Parkinson, who grew up in Halliwell, moved to LA in 1894 before he began shaping a new skyline for what was then an agricultural cow-town.

The intersection of 5th/Spring streets in downtown Los Angeles was renamed John Parkinson Square on Monday, April 28.

It was part of a project arranged by the City of Los Angeles Historic Core Business Improvement District and the Downtown Los Angeles Neighbour-hood Council to honour the Historic Core’s iconic architecture.

Famous landmarks such as City Hall, Union Station, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Bullocks Wilshire, the Alexandria Hotel and Grand Central Market were all designed by Parkinson.

Mr Parkinson was born in 1861 in Scorton, Lancashire, but moved to Swinton aged three and then to Bolton when he was nine. He died in 1935.

Writer Stephen Gee, who released “Iconic Vision: John Parkinson, Architect of Los Angeles” last year, was at the event to witness the unveiling.

He said: “It is incredible to think that 80 years after his death, the son of a mill worker from Bolton leaves us with a legacy that still defines Los Angeles.

“Now that there is a John Parkinson Square in the heart of Los Angeles it is a permanent reminder of the impact this boy from Bolton had on the second largest city in the United States.

“For those of us who live and work in downtown Los Angeles, John Parkinson’s work is all around us.

“His legacy in many ways is any example that if you are prepared to work hard and educate yourself, anything is possible.”