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This site is owned, designed, and operated by Kenneth A. Larson who has over a quarter century of experience in design and construction of scenery for the Entertainment Industry and Theme Parks using Computer Aided and Traditional approaches to Design. Ken also has experience in other areas of Design.
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Select photographs of my many visits to The Missions of the United States South and Southwest built by Spain and Mexico between 1565 and 1823. All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2008 - 2013. |
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By Founding Date
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| I live in Los Angeles and have visited El Pueblo de Los Angeles many times. Aside from being a tourist trap, there are many small museums, a guided tour is sometimes offered, food, and shops. I have twice attended a party for the City's birthday. |
 Mission Art & Photo-Art |
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El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument is where the great City of Los Angeles began. On Wednesday, August 2, 1769, the Portola expedition, which was the first European land expedition through California, while marching to Monterey Bay to establish a Spanish claim to Alta California, camped along a River. They named the river El Rio de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles de la Porciuncula in recognition of the Jubilee of Our Lady of Los Angeles of the Porciuncula which was observed the previous day. Father Juan Crespi, a Franciscan priest accompanying the expidition, described in his journal a "beautiful river from the northwest" located at "34 degrees 10 minutes." In 1781, a new settlement was established along that river and came to be known as El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciúncula or The Town of Our Lady the Queen of Angels of the Little Portion, although its official name was simply El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles. Today, the City is known as Los Angeles which is Spanish for The Angels and the river is simply named, the Los Angeles River. El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument is near the site of the early Los Angeles Pueblo where forty-four settlers of Native American, African, and European heritage established a farming community in 1781, in an area inhabited by friendly Native American Indians. Under the orders of King Carlos III of Spain, the pueblo was founded to grow food for the soldiers guarding this far-off territory of Spain. As the town grew and prospered, retired soldiers were given large portions of land on which to graze their cattle. In 1821 Mexico declared her independence from Spain. Successive governors of Alta California gave additional land grants to other settlers including new arrivals from Europe and the east coast of America. They joined the Californios in becoming ranchers, merchants, and winemakers. The Mexican American War began in 1846 and United States troops took Los Angeles the following year. The town maintained its customs and traditions, but as the population grew, the professional heart of the city gradually moved southwards. The old landowners who had owned houses around the plaza moved away, new buildings were constructed, and the area gradually changed to light industrial and business use. Changes brought in new settlers and the east side of the Plaza became the heart of the city's first Chinatown. French and Italian settlers also arrived in large numbers. Despite this activity, the former pueblo area began a gradual decline becoming a slum soon after the turn of the century. Christine Sterling recognized the value of the old historic buildings and the Spanish and Mexican heritage of the City. Through Ms. Sterling's efforts, the Avila Adobe, was rescued from demolition and became the focal point of Olvera Street. Olvera Street was named after the first County Judge, Agustin Olvera, in 1877. Converted to a colorful Mexican market place in 1930, Olvera Street is also the setting for holiday celebrations and Mexican style dancing and music. Most of the Historical Monument occupise two blocks. In 1953 a strong effort to preserve the oldest and most historic section of the city resulted in the creation of a state historic park. The State of California and the County and City of Los Angeles jointly purchased the buildings and sites around the plaza. The Plaza reflected the heritage of many ethnic groups, Hispanic, Black, Chinese, French, Italian and Anglo who contributed to the history of the city. In 1989, because of the difficulty in two government agencies jointly operating a state historic park in the heart of the city, an act was passed turning the Park over to the City of Los Angeles. Now the Monument, as it is called, is a run by the City of Los Angeles. Plans exist to restore and develop the historic buildings and to bring more people and opportunities to the area. Of the Monument's twenty-seven historic buildings, eleven are open to the public in some form on another; several are restored as museums, making a range of architectural styles from an Adobe dwelling of 1818 to a Spanish style church of 1926. Museums include: Avila Adobe, Fire House, Chinese American, Italian American, Sepulveda House & American Tropical, Pico House (sometimes shows exhibits), El Pueblo Gallery, La Plaza de Cultural y Artes, Museum of Social Justice. In its history, Los Angeles has been under the flags of three nations, Spain, Mexico and the U.S. Address and DirectionsLocation: El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, 500 block of N Main St, Los Angeles.Open Daily Olvera Street 1930. 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 Open Daily 10:00-8:00. There are a number of phone numbers: Tour information: 213-628-1274 or 213-485-8437 Administrative offices: 213-485-6855 |
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By Founding Date
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| Note:This is not the official site for any of the places shown in US Mission Trail. US Mission Trail is not responsible for accuracy of the information. Hours of operations, prices, and exhibits are subject to change without notice. |
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Support this Web Site I hope that you find this web site helpful. It started because of my love for the California Missions and interest in History and a desire to share my photographs and tales of my adventures. I don't allow paid advertising. This web site is for your benefit and enjoyment and I make no profit on it. For twenty years it has been supported primarily from my regular paycheck as a Set Designer. A non-tax deductable donation helps cover the cost of operating this web site and may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal. | ||
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If you are in the need of a designer, please see my Set Designer portfolio site Set Design Portfolio. |
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This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson. Copyright © 2004 - 2023, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved. Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website. |
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