Photo Taken By: Steph S. and Laylani D.
Photo Taken By: Steph S. and Laylani D.
Address: 845 N Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
This
street is said to be the starting point of Los Angeles, it is a market place
built in the 1930s by Christine Sterling, an Activist at the time. It’s
beautiful architecture, and brilliant colors have drawn in people for years.
Its lively atmosphere houses not just a marketplace, but also a realm of
Mexican traditions and people. It’s full of great music, authentic cuisine, and
a positive ambiance for everyone. It is a center of culture that we were drawn
to learn more about.
In 1781 eleven Mexican families moved to Los Angeles. At the time Olvera Street was called, Wine or Vine Street. It wasn’t until 1877 that the street was officially named Olvera, after their first judge, Augstin Olvera. As time progressed, the city suffered and so did its immigrants. This street’s plaza became a gathering place for radicals, trying to move forward. However it wasn’t until Christine Sterling came into the picture in 1926 that Olvera Street began to move forward.Sterling was so surprised at how deteriorated the area became, and decided to rebuild without actually tearing it apart, like the city had decided. She gained attention through positive press from the Los Angeles Times and eventually was able to close the street from cars and make it into the wonderful place it is now in 1929.
In 1781 eleven Mexican families moved to Los Angeles. At the time Olvera Street was called, Wine or Vine Street. It wasn’t until 1877 that the street was officially named Olvera, after their first judge, Augstin Olvera. As time progressed, the city suffered and so did its immigrants. This street’s plaza became a gathering place for radicals, trying to move forward. However it wasn’t until Christine Sterling came into the picture in 1926 that Olvera Street began to move forward.Sterling was so surprised at how deteriorated the area became, and decided to rebuild without actually tearing it apart, like the city had decided. She gained attention through positive press from the Los Angeles Times and eventually was able to close the street from cars and make it into the wonderful place it is now in 1929.
Apart
from beginning the oldest place in Downtown Los Angeles, it is the home to many
important landmarks.Olvera
Street isn’t just about what it is now, it’s about the obstacles and people who
worked to make it the center it is now, it offers the opportunity for people to
conserve their traditions and sell customary items from their culture. Our
class has constantly covered activist and rebels who work together to overcome
adversity. We learned the struggles immigrants faced when trying to assimilate.
Our readings highlighted the thin line between integrating both cultures and erasing
one to keep another. It was and continues to be difficult for Mexican
American’s to identify with either culture, which is why Olvera Street is so
important, it bends the rules and is a center for the Mexican American.
Today,
Olvera Street is not just a historical representation of the city, Olvera
Street houses so many events. Some of their events include, the festival of
“Las Posadas” which is very popular in Mexico. The Posada is a reenactment of
the religious figures, Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and Christ’s
birth. Another event is the Celebration of the “El Dia De Los Muertos,” this
day commemorates the dead. It is an important celebration in Mexico and
continues to be in Olvera street, it connects the living with the dead. These
aren’t all of the celebrations at Olvera street but they help relay the
importance of this community and it’s livelihood that still lives.
Photo from Olvera Street Website
Submitted By: Steph S. and Laylani D.
Sources:
"El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historical Monument." El Pueblo De Los Angeles HIL MONUMENT. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://elpueblo.lacity.org/>.
"Historical Timeline of Los Angeles." Discover Los Angeles. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://discoverlosangeles.com/guides/fun-facts/historical-timeline.html>.
"The Olvera Street History." Culture, and the Arts. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://olvera-street.com/html/history_part_2.html>.
Rondeau, Ginette R. "Welcome to Olvera-Street.com - Christine Sterling."Bienvenidos! Welcome to Olvera-Street.com. 1998-2010. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://www.olvera-street.com/html/christine_sterling.html>.
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