Los Angeles' most notorious mass lynching - Then and now
I've developed a interest in the history of Los Angeles which has been a incredibly rough place, especially in the 19th century. I found this bit of history from Ken Gonzales-Day - Photographer/artist/historian. http://www.kengonzalesday.com/projects/walkingtour/walkingtour.htm
This is a photograph I took today at the location described below. It is adjacent to Olvera Street Plaza based on Ken's description in his self guided tour of Los Angeles:
"of all things, the entrance to the Hollywood Freeway--hardly a hollowed end for the site of the city's most notorious mass lynching. Known as the Chinese Massacre of 1871, 18-24 Chinese men died here at the hands of a mob of over 300 Anglos and Latinos. The struggle lasted well into the night and when it was over at least fourteen men (and one boy) were lynched to anything that would hold the weight of a man. The original site was known as Calles des Negros, but it was eliminated when Los Angeles Street was extended--and further altered by the construction of the 101 freeway though downtown Los Angeles."
This is a photograph I took today at the location described below. It is adjacent to Olvera Street Plaza based on Ken's description in his self guided tour of Los Angeles:
"of all things, the entrance to the Hollywood Freeway--hardly a hollowed end for the site of the city's most notorious mass lynching. Known as the Chinese Massacre of 1871, 18-24 Chinese men died here at the hands of a mob of over 300 Anglos and Latinos. The struggle lasted well into the night and when it was over at least fourteen men (and one boy) were lynched to anything that would hold the weight of a man. The original site was known as Calles des Negros, but it was eliminated when Los Angeles Street was extended--and further altered by the construction of the 101 freeway though downtown Los Angeles."
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| Keith Skelton Photo |