American History

    The oldest and standing building in El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument is called Avila Adobe. It is located along the Olvera Street which is the oldest street in Los Angeles and is also part of the monument. The Spanish refers to the Olvera Street as La Placita Olvera. It started as a small lane with its original name as Wine Street. It was later renamed to Olvera Street in the 1870s to honor Agustin Olvera who was a well known judge in the town. The street is one of the original settlements for the Latinos in the18th and 19th century (Nelson, Para 1).

    Avila Adobe was built in the years 1818 and it is believed that its looks today as it looked in the mid 19th century. The house was built by Senor Francisco Avila who was a member of a rich ranching family. Avila spent most of his time in his cattle ranches which was located in the modern day La Brea Tar Pits and come to reside at the Avila Adobe during the weekends where he used to meet friends, attend mass and conduct business.  The building is one of the three buildings which were constructed by the Spanish in the early 19th century. The other two buildings were swept away by Porciuncula River floods. Between mid 19th century and end of early 20th century, the buildings conditions deteriorated until it was refurbished by Sterling who lived in the house until 1968. The building was destroyed in 1971 by the Sylmar earthquake and it was closed to the public until it was renovated again in 1977. The house has six rooms and a courtyard which was used as a playing ground and as a kitchen (Nelson, Para 10).