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THE HISTORICAL
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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
 

Damien Marchessault

 
 
Damien Marchessault Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Tceng, April 8, 2012
1. Damien Marchessault Marker
Inscription. This street is named for Damien Marchessault, a French Canadian, who served twice as mayor of Los Angeles - from 1859-1860 and again from 1861-1865. During his terms in office, the Plaza Church was rebuilt and the City Gas Company was organized. Marchessault and a partner, Jean Louis Sainsevain, worked to provide water for Los Angeles through a system of hollow log pipes.

As Mayor, Marchessault supported a proposal to split California into two states, but this was not approved by the voters.

In 1868, unhappy over public criticism of the water system and the constant problems with the pipes, and also because of despondency over gambling debts, Marchessault committed suicide in the city council chamber.

Spanish Translation
La calle nombró por Damien Marchessault, un Franco Canadiense que presto sus servicios como alcalde de Los Angeles dos veces – de 1859 a 1860 y otra vez de 1861 a 1865. Durante sus períodos en el gobierno se reconstruyó la Iglesia de la Plaza y se organize la Compañia de Gas de la Ciudad (City Gas Company). Marchessault y un socio, Jean Louis Sainsevain, trabajaron en forma conjunta para proveer a Los Angeles de agua mediante in sistema de tuberías hechos de troncos huecos.

Marchessault como alcalde apoyaba una propuesta para divider a California
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en dos estados, pero esta no fue aprobada por los electors.

Marchessault, poco content con la crítica pública aceerca del sistema de agua y los problemas constants con las tuberías, y Tambien desesperado a causa de deudas de juego, se suicide en la cámara del consejo de la cuidad en 1868.

 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & PoliticsSettlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
 
Location. 34° 3.401′ N, 118° 14.287′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. It is on Marchessault Street just east of Olvera Street. Embedded in the sidewalk immediately in front of the Mexican Consulate/Hispanic Cultural Center in the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Los Angeles CA 90012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s 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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Biscailuz Building (here, next to this marker); The Indians of Southern California (a few steps from this marker); Union Station (a few steps from this marker); Plaza Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Lara (within shouting distance of this marker); Camero (within shouting distance of this marker); Antonio Aguilar
Damien Marchessault Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Tceng, April 8, 2012
2. Damien Marchessault Marker
The marker is visible embedded in the sidewalk.
(within shouting distance of this marker); Mesa (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
 
Another marker is no longer nearby. Bell of Dolores (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,031 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 22, 2026