Pacoima in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Ritchie Valens Marker
Ritchie Valens (born: Richard S. Valenzuela) was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who lived from May 13, 1941 to February 3, 1959, "The Day the Music Died". He was an inspiring pioneer of rock and roll, most famous for his songs entitled "La Bamba" and "Donna".
Erected 2013 by Shanes Inspiration.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 34° 16.041′ N, 118° 26.169′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Pacoima. It can be reached from Paxton Street near Laurel Canyon Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13901 Paxton St, 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.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ritchie Valens Post Office (approx. 0.6 miles away); Nancy C. Avery Square (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pacoima Neighborhood Mural (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cesar Chαvez (approx. 0.9 miles away); Stylesville Barbershop (approx. 0.9 miles away); Father Junipero Serra (approx. 1.1 miles away); Casa de Lopez (approx. 1.1 miles away); Trinity Church (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Regarding Ritchie Valens Recreation Center. Paxton Park in Pacoima was renamed Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in memory of Valens in the 1990s. Valens was born in Pacoima, attended Pacoima Junior High School, and attended nearby San Fernando High School.
He became nationally known with three hit songs: Come On Lets Go; Donna; and La Bamba. On Feb. 3, 1959, Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash while on tour.
Ritchie Valens died at the age of 17. He is buried at nearby
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Ritchie Valens Marker
In 1987 the movie La Bamba came out about his life. In 1990 Ritchie Valens received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2001 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Photographed by Craig Baker, November 30, 2024
3. Ritchie Valens Recreation Center Playground
Photographed by Craig Baker, November 30, 2024
4. Shanes Inspiration
Inclusive playgrounds for children with disabilities.
Photographed by Craig Baker (CC0), January 13, 2023
5. The Day The Music Died mural
L to R: Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, pilot Roger Peterson, and Ritchie Valens. At 13443 Van Nuys Blvd, Pacoima.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 557 times since then and 172 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 1, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on January 16, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
