Paul Landacre, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract Resident from 1925 to 1963

Print: Paul Landacre, Death of a Forest, 1937. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Whenever a fire burns in the Glendale hills at night, Paul Landacre's 1937 print, Death of a Forest, comes to mind. The image above would be the view from his house.

Paul Landacre, preeminent 20th Century American wood-cut artist, lived and worked in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract for more than 30 years. His work reflected not only the neighborhood, but also the quality of light in the neighborhood.

Print: Paul Landacre, Margaret and Horace, 1947. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Landacre also portrayed the more mundane side of living in the Semi-Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. In Margaret and Horace, Landacre's wife, Margaret, tends the garden while their bulldog, Horace, snoozes nearby. Landacre, like many who live in the area today, was attracted to the seclusion and natural beauty of the wooded hillside of the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract.

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Paul Landacre Exhibit, Pasadena Museum Of California Art

Print: Paul Landacre, Sultry Day, 1937.  Landacre found inspiration in the neighborhood; Sultry Day depicts his wife and cat relaxing in their beloved home, with the intersection of Modjeska Ave & Peru St in the background.

 

Pasadena Museum of California Art

White on Black:

The Modernist Prints

of Paul Landacre

October 28, 2012 - February 24, 2013

 

Paul Landacre was the preeminent American wood-cut print artist of the 20th Century. Landacre's work reflected not only the character of the California landscape, but particularly in the 1930s; the character of his own Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract neighborhood in Echo Park/Elysian Heights from 1925 - 1963. 

 

The City of Los Angeles declared Landacre's cabin & grounds (including the trees and landscape) a cultural historic landmark in 2005.

 

Related: LA Times

The Eastsider

Echo Park Historical Society 

 

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Paul Landacre Cabin & Grounds, Historic Landmark*

Photo: Andrew Sears, 2005.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

 

In 2005, the City declared Paul Landacre's Cabin and grounds, at 2006 El Moran, a Cultural Historic Landmark. Landacre's work was influenced by and often depicted the neighborhood in his work.

 

Paul Landacre wrote about his life in the Echo Park hills in 1958, not so different from those who live in the Semi-Tropic Spiritualists' Tract today:

"You see, art is practiced here along with various other concerns -
pruning trees, repairing the roof, watching and feeding wildlife and so
on. Of course, other artists live on wooded hillsides, too, and so do
other people, and it must be conceded that to some of us this kind of
environment is not only valuable, but absolutely necessary - a degree of
seclusion, the life of growing things, awareness that we are a part of
nature."

Photo: Andrew Sears, 2005.

 

Landacre carved a petrel, his signature bird into the roof vents on each side of his house. He used the petrel as his trademark on his work, often in place of his signature.

Landacre struggled with physical disabilities most of his life. He identified with the petrel since they learn to fly by jumping off a cliff; falling into the raging sea; hurling themselves off the peaks of waves until they learn to fly. They crash into the rocks and waves, beat up, but they learn to fly.

*This post was originally published November 7, 2007, on our short-lived sister blog, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract.  In an effort to connect neighbors across the 2 Freeway in our shared issues & development battles, we folded the Semi Tropic blog into the Corralitas Red Car Property Blog in 2009.

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Paul Landacre Cabin & Grounds, LA City Historic Cultural Landmark #839

 

Photo: Andrew Sears, 2005.    

In 2005, the City declared Paul Landacre's Cabin and grounds, at 2006 El Moran, a Cultural Historic Landmark. Landacre's work was influenced by and often depicted the neighborhood in his work.

 

Paul Landacre wrote about his life in the Echo Park hills in 1958, not so different from those who live in the Semi-Tropic Spiritualists' Tract today:

"You see, art is practiced here along with various other concerns -
pruning trees, repairing the roof, watching and feeding wildlife and so
on. Of course, other artists live on wooded hillsides, too, and so do
other people, and it must be conceded that to some of us this kind of
environment is not only valuable, but absolutely necessary - a degree of
seclusion, the life of growing things, awareness that we are a part of
nature."

Photo: Andrew Sears, 2005.

 

Landacre carved a petrel, his signature bird into the roof vents on each side of his house. He used the petrel as his trademark on his work, often in place of his signature.

Landacre struggled with physical disabilities most of his life. He identified with the petrel since they learn to fly by jumping off a cliff; falling into the raging sea; hurling themselves off the peaks of waves until they learn to fly. They crash into the rocks and waves, beat up, but they learn to fly.

*This post was originally published November 7, 2007, on our short-lived sister blog, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract.  In an effort to connect neighbors across the 2 Freeway in our shared issues & development battles, we folded the Semi Tropic blog into the Corralitas Red Car Property Blog in 2009.

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract Inspired Artist, Paul Landacre

Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 13, 2009. Native wild cucumber stretches for morning sun. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The extraordinary quality of light in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract, combined with steep topography and natural beauty clearly influenced the preeminent 20th Century wood-cut print artist, Paul Landacre. Landacre lived on the hillside for more than 30 years. Landacre's work always seemed to depict the neighborhood as sharply backlit.

In 2006, the City declared Paul Landacre's cabin a Cultural Historic Landmark. The cabin is situated between El Moran and Peru Streets, just above the proposed 16-lot subdivision. Echo Park Historical Society sponsored the landmark application.

This month, we're taking a close-up view of the natural beauty of our neighborhood. All Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract photographs published on the Corralitas Red Car Property Blog, in March 2009, are of plants growing on the 3 large lots destined for destruction, if a developer gains final approval of his proposed subdivision.

Historic Landmark Landacre Cabin & Grounds: Big Parade LA Walking By Today

Photo: Andrew Sears, 2005.  Preeminent 20th Century wood-block print artist carved a petrel, his signature bird into the eaves of his cabin in Elysian Heights hidden in the oak trees in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract where he lived from 1925 to 1963.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The City declared Landacre's cabin and grounds a cultural historic landmark in 2005.  Landacre took inspiration from what was a spiritual place neighborhood with dramatic light.  Sadly much of the character of the community fell to a developer's chainsaws and bulldozers in 2011-2013.  Now the tree filled hillside from which Landacre drew inspiration now has an Orange County office park aesthetic.  

The Big Parade LA is the epic urban hike from Hike from Downtown to Hollywood featuring 32 miles and  86 public staircases. It's free, fun and festive.  Join for a few miles, staircases, a day or both days. Info, routes and everything you need to know about the Big Parade: http://bigparadela.tumblr.com/

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Lupines Below Landacre Cabin

Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 13, 2009. Lupines on the upper plateau of Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Lupines growing on the slope just below the closed-off portion of El Moran St. and the Landacre Cabin appear to be a different variety than lupines growing on the Red Car Property or Corralitas Drive. The Semi Tropic lupines have larger paler purple flowers on sturdier stalks, 3 to 4-feet tall.

If you can help us further identify this or any other plant we highlight here, please contact us: redcarproperty@gmail.com.


Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 13, 2009. Lupines just below the Landacre Cabin. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

This month, we're taking a close-up view of the natural beauty of our neighborhood. All Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract photographs published on the Corralitas Red Car Property Blog in March 2009, are of plants growing on the 3 large lots destined for destruction, if a developer gains final approval of his proposed subdivision.

Neighbors will be back in front of City Council's PLUM Committee on March 24, 2009.

Los Angeles River: Fletcher Bridge * Hyperion Bridge

Print: Paul Landacre, "Three Kids and a Horse," 1943, features the Hyperion Bridge crossing the LA River.

While you're checking out the new LA River Bike Path under the Hyperion Bridge, take a moment to think about Paul Landacre's landscape of the river. Landacre was a Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract Resident until his death in 1963. His cabin is a historic landmark.

*Correction July 1, 2010: I've been meaning to update this post for quite some time. The original post stated this was the Fletcher Bridge. The Fletcher Bridge does not have the curved arches like the Hyperion Bridge. I apologize for any confusion this caused.

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: The Big Parade Walks Around Controversial Subdivision Today

Photo: Diane Edwardson, September 29, 2011.  Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract's park-like setting inspired resident, Paul Landacre, the pre-eminent 20th Century wood-cut print artist.  (Click on photo to enlarge.) 

The Big Parade, the free, 2-day, 100 public staircase hike from Angel's Flight to the Hollywood Sign will walk around the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract, today.  What was once a highlight of the tour, is now a cautionary tale of what can happen when politicians (and neighbors) don't have the foresight to comprehend what taking nearly 4 acres of urban forest to completely remove and recompact a hillside means. 

(Take note: Barlow Respiratory Hospital site in Elysian Park is destined for a similar fate if neighbors don't get involved now.)    

Unfortunately, the City historic landmark Paul Landacre Cabin (on El Moran) has been occupied by squatters, while the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract garden lots were deforested in February. 

Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 15, 2012.  Today, the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract is not too spiritual.  Grading began a few weeks ago for the controversial 16-lot subdivision.  Neighbors lost their appeal in 2009.

It's not too late to join The Big Parade.  Learn more: http://bigparadela.com/

Follow their progress on the live Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/#!/bigparadela

Watch all our Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract Red Tailed Hawk Nest videos.

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Who Or What Is Killing Oak Trees At Cultural Historic Landmark, Paul Landacre Cabin?

Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 13, 2013.  The Coast Live Oaks were protected from developers by not only the City's Protected Native Tree Ordinance 177404, but also by the City of Los Angeles Cultural Historic Landmark Status for the Paul Landacre Cabin & Grounds, landmark #839 (which specified landscape & oak tree protections).  

Something or someone has killed off at least 7 Coast Live Oaks adjacent to the controversial 16-lot subdivision in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract.  Yet, all the other Coast Live Oaks on the hill that did not fall victim to the 4-acre deforestation are seemingly healthy.  So it's not just the drought killing them.  Two years ago, the trees were in good shape & seemingly healthy.  Hmmm.  We'll be digging through the archives for older photos. 

Almost Landacre's POV

Photo: Russell Bates, August 28, 2009. The La Canada Fire from Oak Glen overpass on the 2 Freeway is similar to Paul Landacre's 1937 print, Death of a Forest. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: The Big Parade Will Walk Through Today

Photo: Diane Edwardson, 2011. It doesn't look like this anymore. (Click on photos to enlarge.)  

The Big Parade will walk through what was once one of the most beautiful hillsides of Elysian Heights.  It's hard to believe it was only 2011 when it still lived up to its name, "Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract."  Now it's more like "Orange County Office Park."

The preeminent 20th Century wood-cut print artist, Paul Landacre was inspired by the beauty of the landscape of the hillside, creating art in his 40 years of living and working on his (now neglected historic cultural landmark cabin & grounds on the hill.  

Photo: Diane Edwardson, 2013.  What was once 4 acres of mostly native trees below Landacre's modest home, a natural habitat for wildlife, is now a sterile, controversial, eyeball searingly bright white series of stucco boxes on an unnaturally graded slope.  

The developer did see the light of day when potential buyers said what do you mean there's an acre of open space that we pay to maintain above our house and we can't walk to it?  So as an afterthought, they built a publicly accessible staircase that is extremely steep out of railroad ties.

The Big Parade, the ultimate urban hike, will walk down the Artis quasi-public staircase today.  Follow their progress on Twitter.

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Is This Any Way To Treat A Historic Landmark?

Photo: Corralitas Neighbor, 2013.  In addition to someone killing the native and protected Coast Live Oak Trees and owner neglect of  the City Cultural Historic Landmark Paul Landacre Residence, graffiti vandals have run amok for years.

Click here for more of our Paul Landacre related posts.

Giant Green Bunny Ears: Another Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract Mystery

Photo:Diane Edwardson, March 13, 2009. Mystery plant on the lower plateau of the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

When you walk onto the lower plateau of the proposed subdivision in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract, from Allesandro and El Moran St., you'll see giant green bunny ears poke out of the knee-high grass. The plants have very thick, heavily veined leaves, about 3 feet tall. A dozen or more are concentrated in the flat sunny area closer to Rosebud Ave. and Sunflower Ave.

The plant doesn't seem to grow anywhere else in the entire Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. Nor do they grow on the Red Car Property. Perhaps they migrated down from the upper slope, from Paul Landacre's garden. Landacre professed love of "mundane pursuits," like gardening. Or, they might be remnants from when the Semi Topic Spiritualists' used the large central lot as a communal garden.

From the photo, a neighbor speculates the plant might be a type of mustard green. If you can help identify this or any other plant we highlight here, please contact us: redcarproperty@gmail.com.

This month, we're taking a close-up view of the natural beauty of our neighborhood. All Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract photographs published on the Corralitas Red Car Property Blog in March 2009, are of plants growing on the 3 large lots destined for destruction, if a developer gains final approval of his proposed subdivision.

Neighbors will be back in front of City Council's PLUM Committee on March 24, 2009.

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Dinosaurs Found

Photo: Lou McClean, 2005.  Apatosaurus fossil found in this location: story in The Eastsider.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

See also: Allosaurus found at the historic Paul Landacre Cabin: Darius twin's photostream Flickr.

Legacy of Failed Development

Speculators salivate over the large vacant lots in our neighborhood, usually attempting a zone change and hoping to make a quick buck. Developers get a turkey of a property that often ends up being sold at County tax auction because their money runs out. Most of the large lots are where huge quantities of earth was removed for, and dumped after area freeway construction.  

1. Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract Photo: Diane Edwardson, November 2004. El Moran St., just below the historic Landacre Cabin, has been eroding into the lots below for decades. The street is unsafe to drive and was frequently used for illicit activity due to its seclusion and state of neglect. The City barricaded it in the mid-1990s. (Click on photo to enlarge.) 

The three 1-acre lots currently under threat of a subdivision and zone change in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract are currently zoned R-1 for single family homes. Prior to the Silver Lake - Echo Park Community Plan and the Hillside Ordinance, a zone change for a 30-unit apartment building was approved in the early 1980s. In one of the extensions for the zone change, case # CPC 86-084-ZC, a letter from the developer indicates serious questions regarding soils and engineering reports. The letter admits a number of their soils engineers just disappeared when faced with the challenge of this particular site. The zone change expired unused and the zone reverted to 3 lots zoned R-1.

  2. Corralitas Red Car Property Photo: Diane Edwardson, February 2005. Countless tons of earth were removed for freeway construction in 1960, leaving the Red Car Property slopes to slide in heavy rains. (Click on photo to enlarge.)  

The history of failed development on the Red Car Property is long and well documented. More than once, speculators gained approvals for a zone change. Each time the zone change expired unused. Grading was a primary concern. Of course, being in a hole next to the Freeway might have something to do with it too. A series of Red Car Property owners refused to limit vehicle access to the property resulting in another nuisance. Since the property is used by neighbors as a park, the property has fewer problems with homeless taking up residence.  

3. 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel Photo: Diane Edwardson, 2003. 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel is off Riverside Drive, between Allesandro and Stadium Way. It included the steep hillsides surrounding it and extends up and over to Whitmore St. (Click on photo to enlarge.)  

The City acquired the 18-Acre Parcel off Riverside Drive for Elysian Park with Prop K funds in the late 1990s. Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park (CCSEP) was the driving force behind the acquisition. Review plans for this parcel on the Rec & Parks' website. Prior to park acquisition, Foodcraft Coffee wanted to put warehouses on the site. A required Environmental Impact Report (EIR) showed 40' (deep) of uncertified fill. The uncertified fill would have to be removed and recompacted or removed entirely before construction. Like the other large lots in our neighborhood, it was the site of considerable earth moving before and after freeway construction. 

Until a few years ago, the site was often used by off-road motorcyclists as a practice field, complete with orange cones to mark the track and jumps off the wooded hillside. CCSEP, community members and CD13 asked the LAPD and Rec & Parks to block vehicle access to the site. Other trivia: a homeless encampment has been in the grove of trees off Riverside for at least 20 years. In the late 1970's, the Hillside Strangler dumped at least one body on the property from the closed off portion of Landa St.   

4. Menlo Property

  Photo: Diane Edwardson, November 2007. The Menlo Property Wall looms over Riverside Drive north of Fletcher. (Click on photo to enlarge.) 

No one is really sure how long the giant wall has been on Riverside Drive just north of Fletcher. UPDATE for more of the wall history see posts from: April 6, 2009 and April 7, 2009.  

Until 1955, the Red Car Trolley ran through the property. In the late 1970's, the Hillside Strangler dumped at least one body there. For decades, an unfinished retaining wall from an abandoned development seemed ready to collapse into Riverside Drive. A developer planned to build 80 units of apartments on the site in the 1980s. The developer ran out of money and abandoned the site. The community was left with a huge nuisance property, tagged with graffiti, a frequent site of illegal dumping and a big attraction for transients in motor homes.  

In the late 1990's, after years of effort by Silver Lake Residents Association, then City Councilmember Jackie Goldberg asked the City Attorney to take action. The current owner is Sam Menlo, a convicted slumlord, sentenced to live in one of his own slum apartment buildings in Orange County in 2000. Menlo continued neglecting the property, allowing dumping to pile up, refusing to do brush clearance, then covering the hillside in plastic and letting the caster beans grow up through the plastic. 

The City Attorney compelled Menlo to make the retaining wall functional, stabilize and landscape the hillside. About six years ago the grading and landscaping was completed. The slope is watered and maintained regularly. However, soil compaction allows for little to grow. There are still problems with graffiti vandals, homeless and dumping. Hard to believe, but it is better than it used to be.  

In 2007, Menlo's management company approached Silver Lake Neighborhood Council's Urban Design & Preservation Advisory Committee, wanting to build condos on the site. After two meetings, the plan for zone change and subdivision was never filed.  

2-18-09 UPDATE: Never say "never." Developer filed for 120 unit condo development. They need a zone variance, plan amendment and site plan review. There will be a public process. For more information watch this blog as well as the SLNC UD&PAC meeting agendas.

2 & 5 Freeway Interchange: Big Parade LA Will Walk Around It Saturday

Photo: Smith, 1961. The scale of the 2 & 5 Freeway Interchange is deceptive when you're standing on Riverside Drive.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Big Parade LA starts the 2 day, 32 mile, 86 public staircase, epic urban hike, Downtown, Saturday May 2, 2015.  Echo Park Lake, Elysian Park, LA River, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract and all the quirky routes in between are featured in Day 1.  The day is split into multiple trail loops.  Maps, timetables and everything you want to know: http://bigparadela.tumblr.com/

Photo: Smith, 1961.  When seen from the lot next to Paul Landacre's cabin in the Semi-Tropic Spiritualists' Tract, you get a better idea of the impact the freeways and their construction had on the neighborhoods of Elysian Valley, Echo Park and Silver Lake.  The freeways physically and psychologically divided the 3 communities.  This photo also shows the phenomenal volume of earth moved grading for the freeways. Prior to the freeways, there was a valley between Corralitas and the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. 

Note the huge scarp on the slope  2/3s of the way up the hill on Corralitas where CalTrans cut into the hill moving Corralitas Drive making room for the 2 Freeway.   

We are proud to support Big Parade LA, as we have every year since the first Big Parade in 2009. Click here for all our Big Parade posts.
 

The Big Parade Starts Today: What to Wear

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 18, 2009. Last year, atop of Corralitas Public Staircase. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Whether you're setting on for a few staircases, a few miles or a few days, be sure to read ALL the instructions on www.bigparadela.com.

Walking one staircase can raise your body temperature. Take a clue from what these folks are wearing: SUNSCREEN; hats; lightweight, loose fitting, layered clothing; comfortable walking shoes with socks; backpacks supplied with water; snacks; sunscreen; maps; cell phones.

The Big Parade routes and schedules are online: www.bigparadela.com. BE SURE TO READ AND FOLLOW ALL OF THEIR INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE SETTING OUT.

In the Red Car Neighborhood: Saturday's schedule includes Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract, Paul Landacre's Cabin, Corralitas Public Staircase. Sunday's schedule includes Loma Vista, Earl, Silver Lake Ave., Roselin and Waverly Public Staircases and the historic Red Car Trolley viaduct footings.

Heritage Coast Live Oak Threatened in Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract

Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 13, 2009. Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) sprouting new growth on the upper plateau of the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Native Coast Live Oak definitely thrive in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. Several are considered "Heritage" trees. In other words, they are more than 100 years old. Most residents cite the trees as the biggest attraction to the living on the hill. Only one of the Red Car Property oaks come close in size to the oaks in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract.

Coast Live Oak are a "Protected Tree" in the City of Los Angeles, along with Valley Oak, California Black Walnut, Western Sycamore and California Bay trees. Which means, if a developer wants to take them down to build, they have to follow rules set by the City. Whereas, most of the trees at the bottom of the hill are neither significant, nor protected.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 13, 2009. Heritage Coast Live Oaks surrounded by Blue Fiesta Flowers, below El Moran & Peru Streets and the Landacre Cabin. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The developer's grading plan calls for complete removal of the plateau (above photo), right up to the base of the oak tree's trunk. He has not shown how he will retain the slope above once the plateau is removed. His plan will likely be the death of this Heritage oak since the root ball typically extends as wide as the tree canopy. The canopy radius extends a good 25 to 30-feet over the plateau.

This month, we're taking a close-up view of the natural beauty of our neighborhood. All Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract photographs published on the Corralitas Red Car Property Blog in March 2009, are of plants growing on the 3 large lots destined for destruction, if a developer gains final approval of his proposed subdivision.

Neighbors will be back in front of City Council's PLUM Committee on March 24, 2009.

Riverside & Allesandro:1940 (We're In Summer Reruns)*

Photo: Los Angeles City Planning, 1940, California Historical Society via USC Digital Library. Future site of the 2 & 5 Freeways in Silver Lake, Echo Park and Elysian Valley. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

How different the neighborhood looks without the freeways. The hillside in the foreground is the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. The open area below the Landacre Cabin is the recently subdivided lots. The swath of trees between Allesandro and Corralitas Drive is now the 2 Freeway. It appears Rosebud was moved a few hundred feet closer to the Corralitas Public Staircase when the 2 Freeway was built.

Interestingly, there's a small street that forks to the left off Allesandro, before reaching Riverside Drive. I had never seen this street in earlier photos or maps. It was taken for the 2 Freeway.

Note in the upper left corner, the Red Car Trolley tracks are on a considerably higher grade above the adjacent homes on India, below. Today the grade change is more gradual from India to the Red Car Property. Significant amounts of earth were removed from the Red Car Property to grade for the adjacent freeways.

The 5 Freeway runs approximately where the street names were placed on the photo above, in Elysian Valley (the neighborhood between Riverside Drive and the LA River). In 1940, it appears there were more residential properties at the streets ends, at the LA River. Today, almost all the street ends in Elysian Valley have big industrial properties.

According to Jim Lawrence, who lived on Riverside Place for 80 years, many homes in the neighborhood around Allesandro Elementary School were moved from Elysian Valley prior to freeway construction.

*This post was first published June 5, 2009.  With the recent tanker fire and coming freeway rebuild it was time to take another look at life prior to the 2 & 5 Freeways in our neighborhoods.