Pacoima in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Ritchie Valens Post Office

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 29, 2022

1. Ritchie Valens Post Office Marker

Inscription.
This building is named in honor of Ritchie Valens by an Act of Congress, Public Law 116-81, December 12, 2019.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.

Location. 34° 15.746′ N, 118° 25.652′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Pacoima. It can be reached from the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Kewen Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13507 Van Nuys Blvd, Pacoima CA 91331, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley — the San Fernando Valley

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Nancy C. Avery Square (a few steps from this marker); Pacoima Neighborhood Mural (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stylesville Barbershop (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ritchie Valens Recreation Center (approx. 0.6 miles away); PFC David M. Gonzales (approx. one mile away); Cesar Chávez (approx. 1.3 miles away); Father Junipero Serra (approx. 1.6 miles away); Casa de Lopez (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding Ritchie Valens Post Office. Ritchie Valens (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959) was a rock & roll pioneer singer/songwriter from Pacoima who was killed in a plane crash eight months into his music career. Also killed in the crash were Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and pilot Roger Peterson.
Valens had several hits, most notably "La Bamba" and "Donna".

Ritchie Valens was born in Pacoima, attended Pacoima Junior High School, and attended San Fernando High School. He is buried at nearby San Fernando Mission Cemetery.

Photographed by Craig Baker, January 13, 2023

2. Ritchie Valens Post Office Marker

“The Day The Music Died” Gold Record image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, January 13, 2023

3. “The Day The Music Died” Gold Record

Ritchie Valens Post Office Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 23, 2026

4. Ritchie Valens Post Office Display

Ritchie Valens Post Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

5. Ritchie Valens Post Office

United States Post Office - 1958 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, January 13, 2023

6. United States Post Office - 1958

“The Day The Music Died” mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker (CC0), January 13, 2023

7. “The Day The Music Died” mural

L to R: Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, pilot Roger Peterson, and Ritchie Valens. Location: 13443 Van Nuys Blvd, Pacoima.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 610 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 16, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on April 24, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 16, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.