It seemed to lead to either a sewer or storm drain. A City contractor working on area sewer lines may have left it open & uncovered for days. CD13 was able to get the manhole cover replaced after I discovered it open with no safety tape, flags, cones nor barriers.
I cannot imagine how old this must be. since, surely the City would not allow brick sewers' continued use due to brick & mortar's extreme susceptibility to liquefaction during earthquakes. I was wrong. Check out (Silver Lake resident & public staircase advocate) Alissa Walker's story on the City's aging sewer infrastructure & the workers who keep it flowing: Gizmodo
