Click on image for larger version
In June 2016, the Board of Supervisors, in response to a court ruling regarding the 2014 version of the seal, re-adopted the 2004 version.
Click on image for larger version
On January 7, 2014, a majority of the Board of Supervisors voted to update the 2004 version of the seal by again adding a cross, which had been removed in the earlier 2004 version. This new version added a cross atop of the image of the San Gabriel Mission. Supervisors who supported the decision argued that an added cross made a more historically and architecturally accurate depiction of the mission (although, in fairness, the accuracy of other elements in the seal were also questioned but not addressed). The American Civil Liberties Union, along with others, took the matter to federal court. In April 2016, the court ruled that a cross included in the seal was a violation of the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Click on image for larger version
This seal, based upon design of the previous seal, was adopted by a majority of the Board of Supervisors on September 14, 2004, after the American Civil Liberties Union threatened a lawsuit over the presence of a cross in the previous seal. The cross, the goddess Pomona, and the oil derricks were removed and/or replaced.
Click on image for larger version
This seal was designed by by former Supervisor Kenneth Hahn and drawn by Millard Sheets. It was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on January 2, 1957 and became effective on March 1, 1957.
Click on image for larger version
This version never actually became the official county seal, but rather an insignia to be displayed on county vehicles (as today the official seal is displayed on county vehicles). On June 13, 1939, on motion of Los Angeles County Supervisor Oscar L. Hauge, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution ordering that "all county cars be suitably labeled by an appropriate insignia; that said insignia should be in keeping with the dignity and the importance of the County of Los Angeles; and said insignia should depict and properly display commerce, shipping, agriculture, airplane manufacturing, the motion picture industry, the petroleum industry and recreation and use the outline of the county."
In order to attract talented artists to submit entries for the proposed insignia, a contest was publicized, offering $100 "for the best and most suitable design to be approved by the Board."
On August 10, 1939, from among 107 entries, the Board selected a design by California artist Orpha Mae Klinker (who, incidentally, was said to have also designed the official flag for the City of Beverly Hills). Payment of $100 was authorized for her and County Counsel was instructed to prepare a contract of release and assignment to the County of all copyright privileges.
The Los Angeles Times offered a description of Klinker’s design. “The county boundaries are outlined in gold, indicative of the first discovery of gold in Los Angeles County by Francisco Lopez in 1842, also indicative of the wealth of the county. The design is set against a ribbon of the American colors, red, white and blue. On one side of the ribbon is the setting sun with rays lighting the horizon. The lower half of the design is in azure blue, representing the clearness of the western cloudless sky.”
A few days later, on August 15, for an undetermined reason, the Board rescinded the August 10 order regarding Klinker’s design. Instead, they reissued a new order that seemed to repeat the earlier order. It again approved Klinker's design as insignia for county equipment, authorizing the purchasing agent to purchase the design from her, together with all rights for use, for $100.
Click on image for larger version
This seal was submitted to the California Secretary of State in 1887.
