How has LA changed as more people moved to the city?
The growth of LA has taken place over three eras: the Spanish Era, the Ranchero Era, and the American Era. LA was originally inhabited by the Tongva and Chumash peoples. Then the Spanish invaded California and enslaved the Natives inside missions. Missions were an attempt to spread the Catholic faith, and had a church, living quarters, and farms attached to them along with an area for livestock. Mission San Gabriel was one of the first Spanish mission in California. It was built in 1771 and was considered a headquarters of missions in the area. In 1781, small pueblos sprung up between missions, one of them being Los Angeles, which at the time sported less than 100 residents.
In 1821, California was taken over by Mexico, starting the Ranchero Era, which would last from 1821-1848. This era is when Mexico gained its independence from Spain, and in turn, took over the missions in California. The newly freed Mexico took this land and gave it to the wealthy Rancheros, and the former missions became Ranchos. Ranchos were large farms with grand houses and a lot of livestock, which the formerly enslaved natives, now that they were simply considered lesser members of society, took care of. Lastly is the American/Growth era, from 1848 to the present. This is when America won the Mexican-American War, and in turn the state (then territory) of California. By the 1920s, Hollywood was a known name in the film community and helped LA become the booming city we see it as today.
In 1821, California was taken over by Mexico, starting the Ranchero Era, which would last from 1821-1848. This era is when Mexico gained its independence from Spain, and in turn, took over the missions in California. The newly freed Mexico took this land and gave it to the wealthy Rancheros, and the former missions became Ranchos. Ranchos were large farms with grand houses and a lot of livestock, which the formerly enslaved natives, now that they were simply considered lesser members of society, took care of. Lastly is the American/Growth era, from 1848 to the present. This is when America won the Mexican-American War, and in turn the state (then territory) of California. By the 1920s, Hollywood was a known name in the film community and helped LA become the booming city we see it as today.
The oldest drawing of LA still in existence. It was made in 1847 by William Rich Hutton.
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A painting of a Fandango celebration taking place during the Ranchero period.
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A painting of one of the first Spanish missions in LA, Mission San Carlos Gabriel Archangel. This mission was built in 1771.
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