El Pueblo de Los Angeles, 1862
[Published through the courtesy of Jean Bruce Poole, Historic District Director,
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument.]El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument is near the site of the early Los Angeles Pueblo where forty-four settlers established a farming community nearby in 1781. Since that time, Los Angeles has been under the flags of three nations (Spain, Mexico and the U.S.), and has grown into one of the world's largest metropolitan areas. In 1953, the oldest and most historic section of the city was designated as a state historic park, reflecting the heritage of many ethnic groups, Hispanic, Black, Chinese, French, Italian and Anglo [see: El Pueblo Pioneers] who contributed to the history of the city. It is now a monument of the City of Los Angeles.
Of the Monument's twenty-seven historic buildings, eleven are open to the public in some form on another; four are restored as museums
Avila Adobe
(c. 1818)
Open Daily
Built by the Avila family, the adobe later became a boarding house and
restaurant. Restored after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, it now reflects the
Hispanic lifestyle of California in thew 1840s.
Our Lady Queen of Angels
(Old Plaza) Catholic Church (1818-22)
Open Daily
The oldest church in the city. Our Lady Queen of the Angels serves
today as an active church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Masonic Hall (1858)
Open Daily
The city's first Masonic Hall continues to serve as a meeting place for
lodge members and as a museum of the Order of Free Masons and Lodge 42.
Plaza (La Placita) c.
1825
Open Daily
Formerly the town square, the Plaza area was landscaped and given its
circular form in the 1870s.
Old Plaza Firehouse
1884
Open Daily (except Mondays)
The city's first firehouse later served as a saloon, lodging house, and
store. It now displays firefighting memorabilia from the nineteen century.
Sepulveda House 1887
Open Daily (except Sundays)
In 1887 Senora Eloisa Martinez de Sepulveda built a two story Eastlake style
Victorian business and residential block on her property between Main and Olvera
Streets. The Sepulveda House represents, both architecturally and
socially, the transformation of Los Angeles from purely Mexican traditions to a
combination of Mexican and Anglo culture.
Olvera Street 1930
Open Daily 10:00-8:00
The world-famous street was closed to vehicular traffic and made into a
Mexican marketplace through the efforts of Christine
Sterling and others in 1930.