Stop the Barlow Hospital Project & Save Elysian Park

Members of the the Echo Park Historical Society are working with  a coalition of neighborhood groups opposed to a proposal by Barlow Hospital to build more than 800 homes on its property, which would demolish many of its historic structures. Barlow's 25-acres sit right next door to Elysian Park, across the street from the Avenue of the Palms. Think of what kind of impact the construction and development of more than 800 residences - packed into large towers - would have have on Elysian Park. 

Please visit SaveElysianPark.org for a summary of the issue and find out how you can help. We hope your support the effort and sign the online petition.

The History of Washington Heights, Echo Park

The 3rd installment in the documentary series, "The History of Sunset Boulevard" covers the history of the Washington Heights tract, the residential section as well as the commercial district along Sunset Boulevard.  


The impending demolition of the Anna Zacsek Cottage and related buildings has spurred concern for the remainder of historic Sunset Boulevard as it winds its way through Echo Park. 

It is also linked to at www.myhistoricla.org as part of the SurveyLA effort to document the History of Los Angeles. Please register at www.myhistoricla.org so you can vote for the Washington Heights Tract and other potential historic resources in Echo Park in order to call citywide attention to the unique history of Echo Park.

The Washington Heights section of Echo Park was laid out in 1887, between Reservoir Street on the north, Waterloo St. on the West,  Marathon on the South and Alvarado on the east.

The earliest residence is believed to date to 1887, though most of the residences date from 1890 to 1915.

Sunset Boulevard runs through the middle of the Washington Heights tract and the commercial district along Sunset dates to 1910's and 20's, though the oldest commercial building dates to 1907, when an existing structure was added upon to build the K9 Loft.

This stretch of Sunset Boulevard allows one to see the semi-rural Los Angeles of the 19th century alongside the beginnings of modern, 20th century Los Angeles.

Follow the Echo Park Historical Society on Facebook or Twitter: @EchoParkHistory

Follow Valley Spring Lane Historical Consulting:
On twitter:  @valleyspringLHC
On tumblr:  valleyspringlane.tumblr.com

Don't Forget: EPHS Quarterly Meeting on Wednesday

Those familiar with Echo Park history have most likely heard of  Angeleno Heights and Elysian Heights. But what about Washington Heights? The Washington Heights Tract includes a handful of blocks northwest of Sunset Boulevard and Alvarado Street. Located on a sloping parcel of land, Washington Heights rises from the brick storefronts of Sunset Boulevard to some large and impressive Craftsman-style homes on Elsinore and Reservoir streets. Who named and subdivided Washington Heights? To be truthful, we don't know! That's why the Echo Park Historical Society is launching a project to uncover the history and stories of Washington Heights.

If you live in Washington Heights (see boundaries below) or have any photos, documents or other information to share, please join us at our Spring Quarterly Meeting on Wednesday, March  28 at 7 p.m. at the Echo Park United Methodist Church, 1226 Alvarado Street. We will meet in the dining room, which is accessible through the parking lot facing Reservoir Street. 

We will be making copies of photographs and other documents and recording any other Washington Heights information you might have. In addition to discussing and sharing the history of Washington Heights, the EPHS will also update you on our other ongoing projects. The meeting is free and open to the public but we ask that you RSVP.

The Washington Heights Tract is bounded by Sunset Boulevard on the south, Reservoir Street on the north; Alvarado on the east and properties on the western side of Waterloo Street. Of course we welcome photos, documents and stories from properties nearby.  

 
View Washington Heights Tract in a larger map

Membership Renewal Reminder

Happy first quarter of the year, friends and supporters! We are changing and simplifying our membership renewal process. Instead of billing members individually, we ask that you pay your annual membership during the first quarter of the year.

Memberships cost $15 for individuals; $25 for household and $40 for businesses and organizations, Pay $250 for a lifetime and never bother renewing again, (or be bothered to renew!!! A great value.) Click here to renew your membership - or purchase a new one - online or by check.

EPHS has a number of events and projects scheduled for this year. Our relighting and restoration of the historic Jensens sign is finally coming close to completion, and various preservation and historic nominations of buildings are in the pipeline. Your membership fees

Spring Quarterly Meeting: Help us uncover the history of Washington Heights

Those familiar with Echo Park history have most likely heard of  Angeleno Heights and Elysian Heights. But what about Washington Heights? The Washington Heights Tract includes a handful of blocks northwest of Sunset Boulevard and Alvarado Street. Located on a sloping parcel of land, Washington Heights rises from the brick storefronts of Sunset Boulevard to some large and impressive Craftsman-style homes on Elsinore and Reservoir streets. Who named and subdivided Washington Heights? To be truthful, we don't know! That's why the Echo Park Historical Society is launching a project to uncover the history and stories of Washington Heights.

If you live in Washington Heights (see boundaries below) or have any photos, documents or other information to share, please join us at our Spring Quarterly Meeting on Wednesday, March  28 at 7 p.m. at the Echo Park United Methodist Church, 1226 Alvarado Street. We will meet in the dining room, which is accessible through the parking lot facing Reservoir Street. 

We will be making copies of photographs and other documents and recording any other Washington Heights information you might have. In addition to discussing and sharing the history of Washington Heights, the EPHS will also update you on our other ongoing projects. The meeting is free and open to the public but we ask that you RSVP.

The Washington Heights Tract is bounded by Sunset Boulevard on the south, Reservoir Street on the north; Alvarado on the east and properties on the western side of Waterloo Street. Of course we welcome photos, documents and stories from properties nearby.  

 
View Washington Heights Tract in a larger map

The Anna Zacsek Compound - The History of Sunset Boulevard

The 2nd installment in the documentary series, "The History of Sunset Boulevard" covers the Anna Zacsek Compound, some of the oldest buildings on Sunset Boulevard, soon to be demolished to make way for the controversial Sunset Flats development. 


It is also linked to at www.myhistoricla.org as part of the SurveyLA effort to document the History of Echo Park. Please register at www.myhistoricla.org so you can vote on The Anna Zacsek Compound and other potential historic resources in Echo Park in order to call citywide attention to the unique history of Echo Park.

Some of the oldest buildings along all of Sunset Boulevard will soon be demolished to make way for a mixed used condominium development. 


One of the buildings was the childhood home of Anna Zacsek, silent film actress with DW Griffith and later a civil rights lawyer in the trial of Pedro Gonzalez and the Sleepy Lagoon Murders. 


The tiny shingled cottage next to the Anna Zacsek cottage might be the oldest building on all of Sunset Boulevard. 


In October of 2011, the Office of Historic Resources and the Cultural Heritage Commission determined that the Anna Zacsek Cottage was not worthy of consideration as a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument by a vote of 3-2.


Please register at www.myhistoricla.org to vote for "The Anna Zacsek Compound" and let the City of Los Angeles and the Office of Historic Resources know about Anna Zacsek and the History of Echo Park.  


The Anna Zacsek Compound is only the beginning of the demolition of the oldest stretch of Sunset Boulevard.  The rest of our historic business district along Sunset Boulevard will be next before the wrecking ball unless we do something about it.  Soon. 


Follow the Echo Park Historical Society on Twitter:  @EchoParkHistory


Follow Valley Spring Lane Historical Consulting:
On Twitter:  @valleyspringLHC
Tumblr: valleyspringlane.tumblr.com

Echo Park optometrist focused on the needy during the Great Depression

Photo by Colemama/Flickr

By Becky Koppenhaver
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The Great Depression of the 1930’s and early 40’s made bad times even worse for poor and downtrodden citizens of Los Angeles. With as much of 25% of the population unemployed or on welfare, eyeglasses were a luxury many could not afford. During that time, an Echo Park resident helped hundreds of near and farsighted people throughout the city obtain eyeglasses they might otherwise not be able to afford.

Dr. Sanford S. Olsen, an optometrist, who once lived at 2158 Lemoyne Street, supplied hundreds of free eye exams and new glasses to residents of Los Angeles between the years of 1939- 1941 through an organization called “New Eyes for the Needy.”

Olsen kept complete records and documentation of his charitable venture in a large paper accordion file. The present owners of the Lemoyne house found the file decades later, dusty and forgotten in the basement. The file is a fascinating glimpse into the past, an elegant map of written correspondence, containing hundreds of yellowing, typed and handwritten letters, that bring to light the optometrist’s efforts during those lean years. Included in the collection are copies of letters Dr. Olson wrote to celebrities, businessmen and politicians, including Elenore Roosevelt, requesting support for “New Eyes for the Needy.”
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Also included, are hundreds of letters from local residents requesting glasses, or wanting to donate money or old frames. It was a time when letter writing was the main form of communication, even for those who had telephones, it was a near art form, and interestingly, it seems apparent, that back then, no matter what a person’s social class, nearly everyone was capable of crafting elegant, articulate handwritten letters.