El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument facts for kids
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Los Angeles Plaza Historic District
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La Placita Church
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 Location in Los Angeles
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| Location | Los Angeles, California |
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| NRHP reference No. | 72000231 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 3, 1972 |
El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument is a special historic area in Los Angeles, California. It's also known as the Los Angeles Plaza Historic District. This district covers the oldest part of the city. For many years, this area was called El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula.
The district is built around the old plaza. This plaza was the city's main center for a long time. It was important when Spain ruled (1781–1821), then Mexico (1821–1847), and finally the United States (after 1847). The 44-acre park became a state historic monument in 1953. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
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How Los Angeles Began: The Pueblo's Founding
A special plaque near the Old Plaza tells the story of how Los Angeles was founded. It says that on September 4, 1781, eleven families arrived. These families, called pobladores, included 44 people, counting children. They came from the Gulf of California to start a new town. This town would later become the big city of Los Angeles.
Many of these first settlers were Black. At least ten, and possibly up to 26, of the 44 founders were of African descent. King Carlos III of Spain ordered this settlement. Governor Felipe de Neve was in charge of carrying out the king's plan. The small town was named El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre El Río Porciúncula. This means The Town of Our Lady Queen of the Angels on the Porciúncula River.
The first town was built near the Los Angeles River. It was also close to the Tongva village of Yaanga. In 1815, a big flood washed away the original town. So, it was rebuilt further from the river. This new location is where the current plaza stands today.
How the Pueblo Grew Over Time
For its first 70 years, the Pueblo grew slowly. It started with 44 people in 1781. By 1850, there were 1,615 people. This means about 25 new people joined each year. During this time, the Plaza Historic District was the main place for business and social life.
In 1850, California became part of the United States. Los Angeles officially became a city. The city grew very fast in the 1880s and 1890s. The population jumped from 11,200 in 1880 to 50,400 in 1890. By 1900, it reached 102,500 people. As the city expanded, its main business and cultural areas moved south. They moved away from the Plaza, along Spring Street and Main Street.
In 1891, the Los Angeles Times newspaper wrote about this change. It said the old plaza was the city's center, but not where most people lived anymore. The newspaper noted that 90% of new buildings were in the southern part of the city. People who owned property in the northern part wondered what to do. They wanted to stop or slow down the business section's move.
Protecting the Past: The Historic Park
The area around the Plaza is now a historic park. It covers about 44 acres (178,000 square meters). This park protects the old pueblo area. It is generally bordered by Spring, Macy, Alameda, and Arcadia streets. Cesar Chavez Boulevard (formerly Sunset Boulevard) also forms a boundary.
You can visit the Sepúlveda House, which has a visitors center. A group of volunteers called Las Angelitas del Pueblo offers tours. They help people learn about the district's history.
The district has the city's oldest buildings. These important buildings are gathered around the old plaza. They include the Nuestra Señora La Reina de Los Ángeles Church (built 1822). The Avila Adobe (built 1818) is also there. It is the oldest house still standing in the city. Other famous spots are the Olvera Street market, Pico House (built 1870), and the Old Plaza Fire Station (built 1884). Four of these buildings have been fixed up. They are now open as museums for everyone to enjoy.
Digs in the Pueblo have found old items from the time before Europeans arrived. These include animal bones, household items, tools, and pottery. These artifacts show how people lived long ago.
The district became a state monument in 1953. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. However, even with these protections, some old buildings were torn down later. This happened especially to buildings that were on the eastern side of the Plaza.
What to See: Major Sites in the District
The Plaza: Los Angeles's Heart
The plaza is at the very center of the Historic District. It is seen as the birthplace of the city. The plaza was built in the 1820s. It was the main place for business and social gatherings. Today, it is still used for many festivals and celebrations.
The plaza has large statues of two important historical figures. One statue is of Charles III of Spain, the king who ordered the founding of Los Angeles in 1780. The other is of Felipe de Neve, the Spanish Governor who chose the town's location. The plaza also honors the original forty-four settlers. There is a big plaque with their names. Smaller plaques for each of the eleven families are placed around the gazebo.
Buildings Around the Plaza
La Placita Church: A Place of Worship
The main church in the Plaza Historic District is called La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles. This means "The Church of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels." It was started in 1814. The first church building was finished in 1822. The church building you see today was built in 1861. This church was one of the first three places named as Historic Cultural Monuments by the City of Los Angeles. It is also a California Historical Landmark.
Old Plaza Firehouse: A Historic Station
The Old Plaza Firehouse is the oldest fire station in Los Angeles. It was built in 1884. Firefighters used it until 1897. After that, the building was used for many different things. It was a saloon, a cigar store, a pool hall, and even a hotel. It was also a Chinese market and a drugstore. In the 1950s, the building was restored. It opened as a museum about firefighting in 1960.
Los Angeles Plaza Park: A Green Space
Los Angeles Plaza Park is an open area within the plaza. It used to be called Father Serra Park. This park is where the Lugo Adobe once stood. That building was torn down. In June 2020, people protesting pulled down a statue of Father Junípero Serra. This was because of his role during the time California was colonized.
Olvera Street: A Lively Marketplace
Olvera Street is famous for its Mexican marketplace. It was once called Wine Street. In 1877, the street was made longer and renamed. It was named after Judge Augustín Olvera, who was the first elected county judge in Los Angeles. Many important historic buildings are on Olvera Street. These include the Avila Adobe and the Sepulveda House. In 1930, local shopkeepers turned it into the colorful market you see today.
Historical Mural Painting: Art and History
A colorful mural painting shows different historical events of Los Angeles. It uses a special art style called trompe-l'œil, which makes flat images look three-dimensional.
Following Historic Trails
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
The Pueblo de Los Ángeles is part of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. This is a special area managed by the National Park Service. You can follow a driving tour map to visit sites along the trail.
Old Spanish National Historic Trail
The Pueblo de Los Ángeles was the final stop on the Old Spanish Trail. This trail became a National Historic Trail in 2002. Museums, historic sites, and markers along the trail show important places from Santa Fe to Los Angeles. The visitor center at the Avila Adobe offers a special National Park Passport Stamp for this trail.
Images for kids
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Inscription on historical marker "El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora La Reina de Los Ángeles - Felipe de Neve - September Fourth 1781"
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Plaza in 1869
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Los Angeles Plaza (1876)
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The Lugo Adobe (built 1840s, demolished 1950s) long anchored the east side of the Plaza
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Los Angeles Plaza (c. 1905)
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The Old Plaza around 1930
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Musicians performing at the Plaza
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Plaza Church in early 2007.
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Old Plaza Firehouse
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Garnier Building
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Mural shows important events
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Eugene Biscailuz Building and former Methodist Church HQ, now Mexican Cultural Center
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Sanchez Street, which runs south from the center of the Plaza's south side
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Brunswig Building
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See also
- List of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles
- History of Los Angeles
- Fort Moore Pioneer Memorial
- LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
- Mariachi Plaza
- Pueblo de Los Angeles
