Los Angeles History

Los Angeles History. . , A Walk Through Los Angeles History , The Los Angeles Historic Paseo Walkway was created by LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and the County of Los Angeles as an educational pedestrian thoroughfare that guides visitors through the city's layered history. The Walkway covers some of the city's most historic sites, stretching from the Ft. Moore memorial on Hill Street to Union Station on Alameda Street, and includes the city's oldest church and cemetery, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument (home of Olvera Street), and the new developments: LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and LA Plaza Village. The Walkway is funded through the Los Angeles County Parks and Open Spaces District. , , A New City Arises , At the time of California statehood, Los Angeles was home to 1,610 residents. Los Angeles County was estab- lished on February 18, 1850 and reported 3.530 residents. By the end of the decade, the population of the city grew to 4.399, and the county increased to 11,333. Spanish was still the dominant language throughout the region and wealthy Californios continued to be actively involved in civic affairs. During the Gold Rush years, rancheros in Southern California increased their cattle herds and made considerable profits by providing beef to miners in the northern California gold fields. As the Gold Rush came to an end, more people began to settle in Los Angeles. The city gained a reputation for lawlessness and vigilante justice fueled by racial, ethnic and class conflict. By the 1870s, the growing influx of Yankee and European settlers had gradually changed the city's Mexican character. By the 1880s, the Californio way of life had all but disappeared except as a symbol of a growing Spanish-urban mythology that became a useful stimulus for real estate development. , , The United States and Mexican War , In 1846, troops led by Commodore Robert F. Stockton and Major John C. Frèmont marched into the Plaza and were met with little resistance. When the troops left two weeks later, Marine Lieutenant Archibald Gillespie assumed control of U.S. forces and banned all public gatherings, conducted arbitrary house searches, and had prominent citizens jailed. Californios rose up in resistance and forced Gillespie to withdraw to San Pedro. Stockton and his troops returned in January 1847 to reoccupy Los Angeles. John Frèmont and Andrés Pico signed the Treaty of Cahunega later that month on January 13, 1847, ending hostilities in California. The war ended with signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. California came under United States control and became the 31st state in 1850. , , El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument , The El Pueblo Historical Monument (managed by the City of Los Angeles) includes the Olvera Street marketplace, La Placita Church, Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles, the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. The area serves as the historic heart of the city and pays tribute to the city's Native American, Spanish, Mexican, African American, Anglo, Chinese, Italian, and French roots. Today, twelve of the monument's 27 historic buildings have been restored and are open to the public as museums or commercial spaces. , , Olvera Street , Olvera Street marketplace is the central feature of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument and is one of the city's largest tourist destinations. Originally known as Vine or Wine Street, the street was extended northeast and renamed in 1877 for Agustin Olvera, the first judge of Los Angeles County and city, whose adobe was located on the site. In the 1920s, Christine Sterling found the street in disrepair and was determined to save it, and the Avila Adobe, the city's oldest residence, from demolition. She gained the political and financial backing of civic leaders who supported her vision of a Mexican marketplace on Olvera Street. Olvera Street opened to the public on Easter Sunday, 1930 and was an instant success. Today, Olvera Street is managed by the City of Los Angeles and welcomes more than two million visitors annually.