los angeles history

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Members of the Junior NAACP, 1923, Shades of L.A. Collection

On this first day of African American History Month, we reflect on the African American community of early Los Angeles.


L.A. Writer in Residence, Richard Lange
James Sherman, January 25, 2021

Richard Lange is the author of the short story collections Dead Boys and


Hansen sketch of Los Angeles after statehood. A War Department publication in 1856, “Reports of Explorations and Surveys”
Glen Creason, December 24, 2020

We don’t have a typical Christmas season here in L.A., like the ones in syrupy movies with snow, ear muffs, winter coats, and people standing in a blizzard preparing to jump off a trestle.


King speaks to a crowd of 4,500 on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles on April 27, 1965
Christina Rice, January 15, 2021

Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but as in so many cities and towns throughout the country, his impact on Los Angeles was strong and far-reaching. King visited L.A.


Author Katie Orphan and her book, Read Me Los Angeles: Exploring L.A.’s Book Culture
Nicholas Beyelia, September 30, 2020

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this new book, Read Me Los Angeles: Exploring L.A.’s Book Culture from Prospect Park Books.


Glean Creason from 1984
Glen Creason, July 01, 2020

Libraries are empty of customers and that is sad as hell. Sad for library workers who not only love the musty smell of the stacks but also the everyday challenges of actual patrons!


Collage of books based on Los Angeles neighborhoods
James Sherman, June 30, 2020

Aldous Huxley described Los Angeles as “nineteen suburbs in search of a metropolis"—and didn’t mean it as a compliment. In fact, the diversity of Los Angeles is one of its greatest strengths. The Los Angeles Times mapping project claims there are 114 neighborhoods in the city of Los Angeles.


Colorized photo of gay fathers march down Santa Monica Boulevard during the 17th annual Gay Pride Parade
Anne Olivier, June 26, 2020

On June 28, 1970, the very first Pride Parade in Los Angeles was held on Hollywood Boulevard, one year after the Stonewall uprising in New York City.


Close-up of color-coding legend of Los Angeles neighborhoods
Steven Kilgore, June 22, 2020

“Today I sketched the preliminary plans for a large country house which will be erected in one of the most beautiful residential districts in the world... Sometimes I have dreamed of living there. I could afford such a home.


Freedman’s Bank
Julie Huffman, June 17, 2020

The notion of having one’s own savings account is commonplace to us modern folk. But for former slaves—many of whom had never even seen money—it was an alien concept. And, in a country that runs on capitalism, getting the hang of money management was (and is) essential to survival.


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