Los Angeles: The Early History, Physical Development and Racial Construction of the City
Los Angeles from 1850 - Present
PHYSICAL DESIGN
The physical architecture and layout of Los Angeles owes itself to the history of its people. There were certain aspects of Los Angeles that were not replicated by any other city in the nation. The current physical layout of Los Angeles is widely known for its sprawl. This began to develop during the early twentieth century when industry and commerce began to arise (The cities of Industry and Commerce were thusly named). Since there were different nodes of industry, often they were located in very different areas of the city than others. Also, there were some times not any residential spaces near these industrial yards. The planning of Los Angeles was very pro growth; since there was land to be used local government and businesses took advantage of it. People had to get places, so this led to the development of the automobile and freeway culture in Los Angeles. For example, Los Angeles is famous for the Four Level interchange which is where the Highways 110 and 101 meet. Although there are many cities and counties making up the Greater Los Angeles area, Los Angeles has a very substantial downtown area. The area has faced blights in the past as have other cities, but there have also been many revitalization projects.
The built environment of the downtown area is host to many landmark architectural sites. For example, the Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by Frank Gehry is a huge wavy, reflective (some say much too reflective) building.
The built environment of the downtown area is host to many landmark architectural sites. For example, the Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by Frank Gehry is a huge wavy, reflective (some say much too reflective) building.
ARCHITECTURE
Also, the downtown has a very large amount of skyscrapers but the distinctive one to make the skyline unique is the U.S. Bank tower. It is a white circular building build with a postmodern decorative style. This building features a helipad on top and the Los Angeles area often has high ranking officials and business people coming from all around the world. In addition to the downtown area, Los Angeles is known for Hollywood which about fifteen minutes west of the downtown area. Yet in order to truly understand the way that Los Angeles has turned out we have to look back at the areas past.
CULTURAL AND RACIAL HISTORY
Los Angeles was a breeding ground for inter racial relations even from its start. Anglo Americans began to settle in Los Angeles largely during the 19th century after the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo making California a part of the United States in 1850. This peace treaty ended the Mexican- American war and resulted in a huge amount of new territory. The following states had land added to them or brought in as a new state as a whole: California (1850), Nevada (1864), Utah(1896), and Arizona (1912), the entire state of Texas (1845) that then included part of Kansas (1861), Colorado (1876),Wyoming (1890), Oklahoma (1907), and New Mexico(1912).
However, prior to American expansion, there were already people living on the West Coast. Spain colonized California by creating 21 missions from San Diego to Monterey and baptized nearly 90,000 natives during their sixty years of operation (Calisphere, 2013). However, after native Mexicans gained independence from Spain in 1821, there was secularization of property which gave native groups back their land. Yet despite Mexican independence, many native Califonians had their land taken from them. In order to fight losing their land, many families in California said they were not native at all. Affluent families purchased certificates saying their blood was purely Spanish. In the end, these families lost their land to the Americans after 1848 with the signing of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Californios were granted citizenship but since most of their land was undocumented, it was taken by white Americans.
Taking this land from the Californios was one of the ways Anglo Americans had positioned themselves at the top of the power structure by the nineteenth century. This involved a large amount of violence between Mexicans and Anglos, much of which was glossed over to give the appearance of a peaceful transition. In addition to violence, there were many other factors involved that helped to segregate and control Mexicans. Using ideology, structural forces and cultural practices, Anglo Americans created cultural, physical and mental boundaries for Mexicans using a very top-down process. The main forces used to create boundaries were structural aspects such as land laws, zoning during the Los Angeles River construction and segregation aided by the plague.
However, prior to American expansion, there were already people living on the West Coast. Spain colonized California by creating 21 missions from San Diego to Monterey and baptized nearly 90,000 natives during their sixty years of operation (Calisphere, 2013). However, after native Mexicans gained independence from Spain in 1821, there was secularization of property which gave native groups back their land. Yet despite Mexican independence, many native Califonians had their land taken from them. In order to fight losing their land, many families in California said they were not native at all. Affluent families purchased certificates saying their blood was purely Spanish. In the end, these families lost their land to the Americans after 1848 with the signing of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Californios were granted citizenship but since most of their land was undocumented, it was taken by white Americans.
Taking this land from the Californios was one of the ways Anglo Americans had positioned themselves at the top of the power structure by the nineteenth century. This involved a large amount of violence between Mexicans and Anglos, much of which was glossed over to give the appearance of a peaceful transition. In addition to violence, there were many other factors involved that helped to segregate and control Mexicans. Using ideology, structural forces and cultural practices, Anglo Americans created cultural, physical and mental boundaries for Mexicans using a very top-down process. The main forces used to create boundaries were structural aspects such as land laws, zoning during the Los Angeles River construction and segregation aided by the plague.
LAND LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Land ownership was a determinant of power. This made creating physical boundaries and zoning very important for controlling Mexicans. Anglo Americans structurally changed land usage through the 1851 Land Act. The new law required landowners to provide documents or witnesses to prove that they were the true owners of the land. It was difficult for Mexicans to hold onto their land due to lack of documentation or being unable to get enough witnesses to vouch for them. Mexicans often ended up losing their land and their way of life (Deverell 160). This became a structural process of loss that was a top down way of the Anglo Americans taking more control of the Los Angeles area. In addition, even if Mexicans still had ownership of their land, it was illegal for them to “transfer[ing], or otherwise disposing of, leasing or mortgaging lands within the state to foreigners or foreign corporations…”(Los Angeles Times, 8/22/1913). This was stated by the Alien Land Laws of Sonora 1913, which were enforced by local governments. Using these processes of strict land laws, Anglo Americans made sure that they were the ones who had the structural power to make key decisions in the planning and procedures of the area.
LOS ANGELES RIVER
The natural Los Angeles River, pre-1900s
Planning to concrete and contain the river was conducted by the city government of Los Angeles and involved city engineers, contractors and companies. This was a very top- down process in with Anglo-American politicians and businesspeople at the top. At first the plan entailed ideas of including parks along certain parts of the LA river. Planners also envisioned “wings” on each side of the river for cars as to help cut down LA traffic. However, neither of these plans happened and the new industrialized river slowly became considered by many as an eyesore, crime area and diving line. The LA river today has graffiti on parts of it and usually only has a small stream of water running through it.
At the turn of the twentieth century, Anglo Americans seized the opportunity of controlling the Los Angeles River to create a more rigid neighborhood structure. Although the river had already been a determinant of social status, (the cheaper land was placed closer to the river and was where Mexicans lived), the construction of the industrialized river cemented racial divides (Deverell 126). The Los Angeles River was key factor in “zoning” Mexican housing and neighborhoods. It became a “marker for industrial development, as in zoning legislation…” (Deverell 126). One of the poorest districts of Los Angeles can easily be found by following the general line of the river and railroad tracks. The LA river is a very important factor in the construction of the physical layout of Los Angeles. Mexicans however, did not have any political voice in taming the river that had once been their own.
At the turn of the twentieth century, Anglo Americans seized the opportunity of controlling the Los Angeles River to create a more rigid neighborhood structure. Although the river had already been a determinant of social status, (the cheaper land was placed closer to the river and was where Mexicans lived), the construction of the industrialized river cemented racial divides (Deverell 126). The Los Angeles River was key factor in “zoning” Mexican housing and neighborhoods. It became a “marker for industrial development, as in zoning legislation…” (Deverell 126). One of the poorest districts of Los Angeles can easily be found by following the general line of the river and railroad tracks. The LA river is a very important factor in the construction of the physical layout of Los Angeles. Mexicans however, did not have any political voice in taming the river that had once been their own.
THE DEADLY PLAGUE
Another natural occurrence that worked to the Anglos advantage was the Typhoid outbreak in 1924. The outbreak began in the Mexican quarters of Los Angeles and this gave the city’s leaders provided them a legitimate reason to quarantine Mexicans to their neighborhoods. It also gave Anglo leaders the reason they needed to tear down Mexican homes and restructure the city the way that they wanted. Many reports during the time made the implication that Mexicans and foreigners were responsible for the outbreak of the plague; definitely not whites. For example, even “others who did not live in plague districts but were nonetheless Mexican, and therefore somehow dangerous, [lost their jobs] as well” (Deverell 198). This made Mexicans develop the image of dirty, contagious and weak. Los Angeles was reported to be under attack “from the ground squirrels in the north, from the rats which may be imported from the Orient and from the rats which may be imported from Mexico (Los Angeles Times, 11/8/1924).” The article also downplayed the effects of the plague and tried to make it as clear as possible that it was a quarantined sickness. In reality, it was an extremely hard hitting disease which took from Mexicans their lives, loved ones and former ways of life. Yet one of the main concerns of the L.A. Times article was to prove that white Los Angeles residents had nothing to worry about.
In addition, Mexicans were not compensated for losing their homes. This occurrence made it easy for the Los Angeles city government to restructure the land in ways that they wanted to. Since the homes of many Mexicans were demolished in order to “drive out the plague,” this meant that the city could rebuild in the way that they saw most beneficial. This situation forced Mexicans even more toward the bottom of this top-down process. They did not have a say in how the city of Los Angeles would be structured.
In addition, Mexicans were not compensated for losing their homes. This occurrence made it easy for the Los Angeles city government to restructure the land in ways that they wanted to. Since the homes of many Mexicans were demolished in order to “drive out the plague,” this meant that the city could rebuild in the way that they saw most beneficial. This situation forced Mexicans even more toward the bottom of this top-down process. They did not have a say in how the city of Los Angeles would be structured.
CULTURAL BOUNDARIES USING PARADES AND PLAYS: LA FIESTA AND THE MISSION PLAY
Culturally, the main tools for setting boundaries were the La Fiesta parade and The Mission Play (which helped to create social stereotypes). Anglo Americans portrayal and cultural representation of Mexicans to the general public gave off the idea that Mexicans were extremely different from other races of people. During the late 19th century, Los Angeles began to host the annual La Fiesta parade. It featured different cultures, such as Mexicans, Native Americans and Chinese. The parade was used as a tool to embrace the idea of the “mythical Mexican” (Deverell 175). This gave the cultural image of what Mexicans were supposed to be like and how they were supposed to act. Using this ideology, it became easier for Anglo American leaders in Los Angeles to exclude Mexicans. This is because it was displayed clearly to see how different they were than whites. Also, the parade portrayed images that made American takeover of Mexican lands to be the ideal situation: the violence and fighting between Mexicans and Americans was kept quiet. The parade is reported to have been derived from the way that Mexicans really lived before the arrival of white Americans. Mexicans way of life “dates back to the picturesque days of the Mexican cavalier, when the sleepy atmosphere such as that in which Pomona lived and breathed, was awakened from time to time with enlivening fetes and fandangos” (Los Angeles Times, 4/14/1894). This imagery made Mexicans seem like they were a simple minded people who would not mind being more structured by the newly arrived Anglo Americans. It is now apparent that these boundaries drastically excluded Mexicans from the rest of society.
Another tool used to create cultural boundaries around Mexicans was The Mission Play. This play by McGroarty essential had the same effect as the La Fiesta parade. It celebrated the “Spanish fantasy past,” but did not include any of the historical realities such as physical violence. The play gave Mexicans the image of being docile, pious, missionaries and virgins (Deverell 214). This made it easier for Anglos to develop an idea of what Mexicans were. It allowed for them to have ideas that certain things were “Mexican” and certain things were not. However, some accused Southern California of not attending to the needs of its local Mexican population. In answer to this accusation, McGroarty implied that, “The Mission Play did the work of the church among the Mexican population” (Deverell 217). This gave Anglo Americans the perception that Mexicans were not individuals with individual needs. Rather all Mexicans were the same and simply and group of people who’s needs could be swept under the rug.
Another tool used to create cultural boundaries around Mexicans was The Mission Play. This play by McGroarty essential had the same effect as the La Fiesta parade. It celebrated the “Spanish fantasy past,” but did not include any of the historical realities such as physical violence. The play gave Mexicans the image of being docile, pious, missionaries and virgins (Deverell 214). This made it easier for Anglos to develop an idea of what Mexicans were. It allowed for them to have ideas that certain things were “Mexican” and certain things were not. However, some accused Southern California of not attending to the needs of its local Mexican population. In answer to this accusation, McGroarty implied that, “The Mission Play did the work of the church among the Mexican population” (Deverell 217). This gave Anglo Americans the perception that Mexicans were not individuals with individual needs. Rather all Mexicans were the same and simply and group of people who’s needs could be swept under the rug.
ANGLO LEADERSHIP
On the other hand, some may try to argue that Mexican culture and life was not intentionally contained but rather events that occurred were coincidental. However, this is false because white leaders used this tactic in order to gain more control. In turn, their increase in superiority and power made it easier for them to make key planning decisions without having anyone to respond to. Anglo American leaders had intentions to portray Mexican to the general public in certain ways that benefited their needs. This ideology was developed even before the United States over took California: “According to Fredrickson, ‘Land hunger and territorial ambition gave whites a practical incentive to differentiate between the basic rights and privileges they claimed for themselves and what they considered to be just treatment for the ‘savages’ who stood in their path, and in the end they mustered the power to impose their will” (Almaguer, 19). This shows that Anglo Americans had a distinct reason and strategy for making Mexicans be a certain way. It was beneficial to whites in ways of class hierarchy and power.
THE STRUCTURE OF POWER
Cultural and structural forces were very important for creating a power structure and certain boundaries around the concept of race and physical design of Los Angeles. The reason that race was such a big factor in the upstart of Los Angeles was that there were different cultures living together that had never done so before. Later in the nineteenth century California and would become the battle ground for civil rights because Los Angeles and other cities in the state have so much diversity. There were tensions and mixings between Japanese, Mexicans, African Americans, Anglo Americans, Chinese and more. Each race came to face its own type of discrimination and legal segregation. This had an effect on the physical planning of the city for obvious reasons such as certain groups not being able to live in certain areas. These racial divides made zoning seem logical for the city of Los Angeles to implement. This led to the city being separated along lines of race and creating physical barriers between them. Many of these divides still exist today.