The History of Los Angeles

Historically, the areas of present day Los Angeles was home to the Chumash and Tongva Native American tribes. On September 4, 1781 a group of settlers consisting of 14 families numbering 44 individuals of Native American, African and European heritage journeyed more than one-thousand miles across the desert from present-day northern Mexico and established a farming community in the area naming it “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula” which in English translated to “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of Porciúncula”. Over time this community would grow under the flags of Spain, Mexico and eventually the United States to become one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world, the City of Los Angeles.

Today, the original pueblo is commemorated as a Los Angeles Historical Monument. The El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument is a living museum that continues to fulfill its unique role as the historic and symbolic heart of the City, reflecting the Native American, African American, Spanish, Anglo, Mexican, Chinese, Italian and French cultures that contributed to its early history. Of the monument’s twenty-seven historic buildings, eleven are open to the public as businesses or have been restored as museums. Visit http://elpueblo.lacity.org for more information on the area and how to plan a visit.

Since 1940 an image of the Los Angeles City Hall has been embossed on badges for the Los Angeles Police Department. This landmark, dating to 1928, has had a lot of screen-time down the years, in the original Dragnet series in the 50s and in 1997’s L.A. Confidential to name a couple.

If you need to cool off, the City of LA offers cooling centers where you can beat the heat. These cooling centers are in LA City facilities where you can enjoy recreation programming or a good book while you cool off. Cooling centers are open and available during regular hours of operation unless otherwise noted. The City’s Department on Disability works to provide reasonable accommodation to ensure accessibility and effective communications for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs at cooling centers. You can call 3-1-1 from within LA City or call 2-1-1 within LA County to find out more about cooling center locations and hours of operation.

LA City Cooling Centers

Patrons are encouraged to call ahead to check availability- COVID-19 social distancing requirements have resulted in reduced capacity at the sites. All centers will operate following LA County Public Health’s Guidelines for Cooling Center Operations. For more information, please visit https://emergency.lacity.org/heat

LA County Cooling Centers

The County of Los Angeles’ Cooling Center Program identifies free places where any member of the public can go to find relief during hot summer days. For a map and hours of operations of cooling centers, in the larger L.A. County area, please visit http://lacounty.gov/heat/

Don’t Forget About Your Pets

When it’s too hot for you, it’s even hotter for your four-legged friends. As Southern California begins to enter a heat wave, Los Angeles Animal Services would like to remind you that too much heat can be extremely dangerous or even fatal for companion animals. Remember, dogs and cats try to cool themselves by panting or rapid breathing and they do not sweat through their skin. Learn Five Ways to Keep Your Pets Cool this Summer