Beachcombing LA – Olvera Street
A Taste of Early LA History in One Block
By Josh Marks
Critics of Los Angeles
claim the city has no sense of place or history. A downtown stroll along Olvera
Street quickly dispels this notion.
This block-long Mexican marketplace across from Union
Station is the birthplace of the City of Angels
and offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the development of the area
while enjoying the diverse entertainers and vendors lining the vibrant street.
In 1781 El Pueblo de Los Angeles
was founded by 44 Mexican settlers under the orders of King Carlos the III of Spain.
First under Spanish colonial rule and then under Mexican control, the town
became the center of community life. In 1877, the City Council changed the name
of the main street from Vine to Olvera in honor of Augustin Olvera, the first
Superior Court Judge of Los Angeles County.
As the population shifted to other areas in the early 20th
century, Olvera Street
turned into a slum and was in danger of being relegated to history textbooks.
The place was about to be condemned by the city when civic leader Christine
Sterling jumped in to save the street from the wrecking ball. She solicited the
help of Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler, who provided publicity in
his newspaper. Chandler formed a
corporation to raise money to revitalize Olvera Street
and the result is the village that presently attracts 2 million visitors a
year. The Avila Adobe – the oldest
house in Los Angeles – was restored
and the street was closed to traffic in 1929. Paseo de Los
Angeles was officially opened as a tourist destination
in 1930.
Today there are 27 historical structures of which eleven are
open to the public. In addition to the Avila Adobe, which was built around
1818, the Pelanconi House was constructed around 1855 and is the oldest brick
house in the city. The Sepulveda House is an 1887 Eastlake Victorian which
incorporates Mexican design elements including an inner courtyard. La
Golondrina Café moved to Olvera Street
in 1930 and still serves authentic Mexican cuisine. The Mexican Cultural
Institute and the Italian Hall, which was built in 1908 to house Italian
organizations, both reflect the impact these two immigrant groups have had on Los
Angeles.
Olvera Street
is open seven days a week from 10 a.m.
to 7 p.m. and is free to the public.
For directions and more information go to www.olvera-street.com.