El Pueblo de Los Angeles

El Pueblo de Los Angeles was the first Spanish civilian town in California before the "Los Angeles" that exists today. The city was founded in 1781. It was actually the second town of the Spanish colonization. It was founded twelve years after the Spanish presidio, which was established in San Diego in 1769. The first settlement in Los Angeles contained eleven families from the Sonora y Sinaloa Province. The new settlers were joined by soldiers to help keep civilian life in Los Angeles safe. Through war California became part of the United States and Los Angeles was formed.

El Pueblo de Los Angeles also has a historical monument to honor the beginning of Los Angeles and Olvera Street. As part of the monument and area there are 27 historical buildings. Out of these buildings 11 are open to the public as either businesses or museums. Since this area represents history there are several cultures intermixed such as Mexican, Italian, Spanish, African, and Chinese. These cultures make Los Angeles what it is today. There are often musical events and street merchants at Olvera Street to interest local residents of Los Angeles and visitors to the area.