United Wilmington Youth Foundation Restoring Historical "El Mercadito Market" Mural

The decaying historical mural that adorns the exterior of El Mercadito "Maravilla" market on L and Hyatt streets in Wilmington is finally getting a restoration by members of the United Wilmington Youth Foundation and community volunteers. 

The current owner "Jorge" has occupied the store for the past 33 years. Around the same time in 1979 the mural was painted by Javier Moreno and Mario Falcon. Moreno passed away four years ago and the whereabouts of Falcon are unknown. However, their significant mural has became a cultural historical landmark loved by the community. A much needed restoration of the mural has been necessarily for years. The mural has suffered damage from the past decades of gang warfare in the area. Graffiti and age on the mural have caused some of the original parts to become distorted and worn down. 

Old photographs of original mural are used in restoration 

(Defaced) Jose Maria Morelos Mexican Revolutionary for Independence 

Emiliano Zapata and images of gang truce for peace

Restoration day 4

History of El Mercadito
The building of El Mercadito has been standing in the same place for 113 years. It has gone through about 4 different owners and renovations. The first business was a small gas station then it was turned into a market. Jorge explains, the first two owners were of American decent. As the community  and demographics started to evolve  the market was centered around the Hispanic community. Inside the market there a carneceia and kitchen where people can buy homemade menudo, pupusas, and other antojitos.

Food and Fresh Meat Counter

Original Refrigerators 60-years-old and Still Going

Although I never lived in area, the neighborhood holds significant memories for me. In the 1970s and into the 1990s my parents and family went to church down the street at Holy Family  Catholic Church or better known as Sagrada Familia. The mural on the market was always something I looked at and never forgot as we drove past on L street on the way to mass.  20 years later its no wonder that mural means so much to the community. The impact of the colorful mural captures the spirit of a by-gone era with its cultural pride and message of peace but will continue to impact the newer generations within. 

Important Dates

• Restoration will continue until June 28, 2013 
• Cupcake and lemonade sale Saturday June, 22 2013 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
• Youth essay writing contest deadline August 23, 2013 prize $1000 email UWYF for rules on the contest info@uwyf.org
• Revealing and celebration September 7, 2013 more details will be posted

Volunteers and supplies are welcome! please stop by Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m

United Wilmington Youth Foundation is a non-profit organization started in 1992 by Santos Trani in order to empower youth in Wilmington to contribute in the community positively and avoid gangs. The non-profit was  revived last year with a new set of energetic youth and mentors ready to start making changes in the community. Follow them on Facebook here

Classic San Pedro Liquor Stores Part II

Pedro Liquor stores part two! straight from My Space collecting dust!. In this series I focus on four places significant to 14th st in Pedro were I grew up, if you been reading " Tales from 14th Street" then you might know a thing or two...Check out the history and comment please if you are from Pedro, or if you didn't already on the crack space...

South Pacific Market, est 1985 

 This spot is not historically that old, but it was the go to spot as a kid. I grew up a few blocks down it was my spot for lemonheads,tamarindo,chips, soda etc.Before I was able to ride my bike over there by my self my older brothers ventured that place because it had a back room with arcade machines the hot shit in mid 80s they used to smash pennies to quarter size and play games all day that was before they caught on. The original owner still stands today,and he never installed bullet proof glass even though the area was never great.Now the arcade disappeared, and our childhood memories with it. This spot closes early like 9pm or 10pm.

1330 S Pacific Ave Ste C
San Pedro, CA 90731  

(310) 832-5956 

Christy's Donuts, est 1985 

 I had to throw in this spot Christy's Donuts right next to South Pacific Market not only did they have yummy donuts, and ice cream (still do) but hands down it was the spot to get the orange bang! I mentioned this on my first " Tales from 14th Street" not to  mention the chisme spot for all the moms in the morning. I found out that Christy's was actually the daughter of the original owner its a long crazy story I can't remember, but when I do I will post it if I do. 

1330 S Pacific Ave
San Pedro, CA 90731  

(310) 833-7649 

 Centre Market aka Dona Maria's, structure built 1937 

Center st market was another childhood gem. I clearly recall always buying orange big sticks, these little ice cream cups that came with a wooden pallet, strawberry shortcake bars and for sure the Lucas with saladitos always a must. There is also a carneceria.This place closes pretty early around 5 or 6 and it has a new owner,but for about 30 years it was owned by a  lady named Doña  Maria  you gotta love that!

I just read this spot is for sale!

1605 S Centre St
San Pedro, CA 90731

 (310) 832-5873 

City Hall Market, structure redone 1912 after slight fire damage. 

City Hall Market located on the corner of Palos Verdes and 11th st, this spot has a lot of history. At one point it was actually the first City Hall building from 1905 to 1908.

Now it has the market and right behind it is the city's oldest bar the Alhambra bar it is also said underneath the Alhambra the old jail still is intact.
As for the store they actually lost their liquor license a while back I am guessing because the area used to be heavily pron to violence and was drug infested. Back in the 90s people used to say they slanged from there, but who knows.

The owner is also fairly new so he didn't know much, inside they have slushy machines that been there since I was a kid and about 6 to 8 selections of scoop ice cream.It looked like it also used to house a deli at one point as well.

1043 S Palos Verdes St
San Pedro, CA 90731 

(310) 548-1171

So that is the end of my old posts from My Space, I will definitely get the other stores that are significant in Pedro up and running on the blog. All comments appreciated. 

Peace, 

D.J

"Old places have more character"

House off Vernon and Fig next to entrance to 110 freeway. I love the color combo, real artistic. The best part is the sexy van peeking out of the side.

Three hot cars...


It was once a restaurant, but I never got a chance to see it even open... *update* sorry I did not add location before , but this place is located on the Pacific Coast Highway on Eastside of Wilmington on the " Ghost Town" side.

(below) Is a closed down Weber factoy in South Central off Slauson.

Growing up Weber's bread used to be the softest bread ever! It was kind of one of the more expensive ones as well. Those where the days when white bread was " cool" and "popular" now most people stick to the healthier stuff. Do they even stock this historical bread on the shelf?

check out Pancho and Cisco (same name) huh?? enjoying Weber's Bread.

You gotta love your history this weekend!

I ran into a listing on a dope event this weekend if you are into history. It was funny this came up because I had just finished reading the " Images of America Series" on Wilmington Ca. I got into the book since I am doing some research on Wilmington for future blog posts, I also always lagged on going to visit the Banning House Residence Museum so I had decided to go this weekend.

I went on checking the usual blogs and ran into a post on LA List about " LA Heritage Day" it will take place this Sunday March 22th at the Heritage Square Museum it is an event where all the historical societies and museums get come together to share the history of their communities. I was kind of thinking " I guess this weekend is meant to be about history" which is always cool with me. It is $5 bucks or free if you print out this flyer.

I was surprised not to see the San Pedro historical Society or the Wilmington Historical Society listed, hopefully they will make it. There is no doubt those two towns got history. Hope you all can make it.

Sunday March 22, 2009

12pm to 4pm

Heritage Square Museum

3800 Homer Street

Los Angeles,

California

90031

Tel. 323-225-2700

Los Angeles Heritage Blog

Creepy House

There is this abandoned house down the street from me off Lucas Ave and what split's into Beverly and 2nd Street. I looks like it has been neglected for many year's. I am not sure how long it's been abandoned , or why nobody has bothered to touch it. The only attention it has gotten is from people catching spots (tags) on it. It is one of the few old houses left on Lucas Street since the new apartment complexes have gone up in the past five year's. The original state of the area is mostly long gone but a few still stand. A few year's ago there was a big hype about a 93-year-old man names Bob Pramenko who refused to sell his 1910 Craft man style home on Lucas Ave. It was said he got offered up to $700.000 to move but refused to budge until he passed away last year. He had a lot of pride and certainly loved his history and home. After he passed away the bank got the house and the property was recently sold to Essex property who owns the Belmont Station Apt Complex. Honestly it is kind of a shame that now there it is all apartments around here with a few scattered houses which look out of place now between the huge apartments. I used to come to the area when the Belmont Tunnel Graffiti pit was cracken and seen how the area changed quickly. I guess it is all just memories for some. I asked a friend who grew up in near-by Echo Park about the house and he said it has been tagged on and abandoned since he could remember. If anybody knows something about this house I would like to know. The closest address I could find on Google was 108 Lucas Ave.



This looks like the front of the house facing 2nd St along the 1st/Beverly bridge but there is no entrace in this part since it is on a steep hill. The staircase below leads up to the side of the house off Lucas Ave.
The staircase is overgrown with weeds and mud.


My homie is being silly in the picture

Adventures around Wilmas

Wilmington Ca a port town, an industrial playground a forgotten concert flatland. The town has not changed too much over the years, it has kept much of it's raw grittiness over time. Wilmas has gotten a little safer and cleaner but it still holds much of it's historical value. Art stays up a little longer and it can sometimes make you feel like a throwback to a different era. I displayed various posts on this overlooked area portraying much of it's old style charm. The area reminds me somewhat of downtown LA 12 years ago and beyond. This was before downtown was so gentrified and the walls and alleys held glorious destruction. Wilmington might not have lofts and luxury penthouses but it has a sense of lonely realness.
This dive bar is a great place, cheap beer, open patio, no hip crowds, and cool bands playing on the weekends. It dates back to the 1940's and you can also spot old cement scribbles inside the bar dating to that time. It is nicely hidden behind rusty corrugated fences. The sign shines just like it's printed meaning " Stars in The Sky" which is named after the owner's initials "Sis" a cool gal indeed.

The fence next door is a bunch of old parts from a boat and pier all tied together to make a really awesome way to keep people out. It reeks history.
The sky lights up at night
The bands rock on
A look down Avalon St you see Guy Nelson Chiropractor and Hotel Del Mar with whoa! Color T.V that used to be exciting at one time.

Across the street is Union Electric Tattoo they got a nice vintage neon glow going there.

Left alone
" Be Not Drunk With Wine But Be Filled With The Spirit" this sign names sense there is about six other dive bars and a few liquor stores within a few blocks. So I am very sure they knew this would be a perfect spot to paint this sign. Pinches winos!
Not to far down the way art work shadows over walls.


Wilmington also displays nice features like the Banning House and well kept Victorian and Spanish style homes.
Photo from Flickr

More great photos of Wilmington and San Pedro soon. There is so much to see in this part of Los Angeles the fresh ocean air, the foggy mist and mysterious charm bring out the best in these towns.

Sit Back and Relax

Good Old Los Angeles River somewhere between Ave 18 and Ave 19 in Lincoln Heights.

Someone once watched Television on this recliner, someone once read a book on this, now it is a chewed decor in one of the guest rooms at the LA River.

Signs of Old Times

My father worked over at Terminal Island for about 30 yrs and I remember he used to park in the " 920 Barracuda st" parking lot as displayed on this rusty decaying sign. After the Star-Kist cannery closed down and most cannery jobs went overseas, the lot stood empty for many years until Del Monte took over operations, as you see now there is smaller newer sign displaying the street name. I still love the old sign of course and I am glad they kept it around.



.
This sign is for my comadre Doña Licha
located on 7th and Santa Fe

I saw her name and had to take a picture for her. I think the place closed down I am not to sure, if anybody has eaten there how is it?

Update Update I found an awesome photo page displayimg pictures of Licha's Santa Fe grill. It also has pictures of the inside! look here Licha's

The words from the past

For me there is nothing like seeing an old graffiti landmarks, weather it's a faded tag, bomb or piece it's always cool to see something that has been running for years.


Below is a couple of bombs by Solo and Boots. this spot is not to old but that duo goes way back.I remember seeing them around Downtown LA as far back as 1996. That guy Solo had some pretty nice spots,but he was one of the first I noticed do fresh black fills and white boarders, it was pretty ill seeing that at the time. Even though these guys don't paint like they used to its cool to see old names pop up here and there.
Now Oiler Coi was already an old school legend when I got introduced. I remember seeing old oiler spots that were already faded like in 97.
Check out this Haven off the 710 signed 1993, now thats a true running landmark.I yet to find one from the 80s, but that would be definitely fresh!
Now aside tags by writers, I love tags from random normal people much like this one "Lil Martha"

Anaheim Drive-In Dairy

Nothing like the nostalgia of drive-in dairy, the look and aura of a dairy takes one back to the days when life was slower paced. Weather you lived it or are young with an old soul like me ,its always nice to see old landmarks still alive.


The Anaheim Drive -In Dairy is located in Wilmington, Ca.I talked to the man who owned it he said he has only had it like 8 years but it has been in that location over 30 years. He also told me you can't really get permits to run the drive-in type dairy's nowadays. It was pretty cool because you can just drive in grab what you need and be out, it is very convenient if you are on the run.
The signs on the building are all original as well. It is kind of interesting that back 30 or 40 years ago things like Milk, eggs seemed advertised as important even to the point where milk was actually delivered to our homes. This staple food is still usually a must in most refrigerators (unless your into soy or Vegan), but since we have tons of choices on the way we eat the way of 30 or 40 years ago is pretty obsolete. I did notice beer seemed to stay forever popular according to the sign advertising "Cold Beer" I am sure that will never change!. The price of milk is pretty scary at $5.89 seems like its competing with the price of gas! but then again now a days most people don't go to these dairies for milk ,but for things like booze and cigarettes.
I found a related article about the decline of Drive in Dairy in the LA Times


(below) I spotted this junkyard while walking in Wilmington over the PCH st corridor. Since the street is elevated one could down into the train yard, I quickly spotted this untouched junk yard full with cars from like the 50s and 60s, it was a rusted car burial ground;could it be maybe one of these cars once drove into the Anaheim Dairy to pick up some Milk and eggs for breakfast?


(Below) Is Joe's Drive in Liqour, now it do not have access to drive in like the dairy so I am not sure why they named it that. False advertising I say! and it also does not have a deli, I did a whole series of photos of Classic Liquor store /deli's in San Pedro a while back on my Liquor store blog on My Space if you like or my friend check it out.

Historic Core Walking tour

Historic Core is yet another awesome tour guided by the LA Conservancy, they told us to meet up at Pershing Square between 5th and 6th st and Olive st in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. This tour was quite interesting being I been to the area quite often but again did not bother to notice some of the historic buildings I loved the new history I learned quite a lot and got to go into some cool buildings and other sites.
Someone got a cool crew spot on this building and this area kinda hot word!

(above) is the Baltimore Hotel (1923) Beaux Arts Architecture with Renaissance Revival , this is when you notice the building is divided in 3 sections with with opening in the middle, and the Renaissance ornaments. located 515 s Olive st.

Title Guarantee and Trust Building(1926) is an example of Art Deco style architecture with the Gothic, look lots of towers as well are a must with this style. 411 W 5th St.

Pacific Finance Building again in the Italian Renaissance Revival style
510 w 6th st



I had never really been around the Central Library so it was coo to see the architecture of it
630 w 5th st


Subway Terminal Building 417 S. Hill St
This Renaissance Revival style building is pretty interesting because little do allot of us know there used to be a subway in LA back in the days. The subway ran from downtown to San Fernando Valley and the West side according to the historical society in its prime time there was about 65.000 people passing beneath it daily. It was shut down for many decades until it was finally renovated in 2005 now called Metro 417 loft style apt and you all know that's not in our budget!

La Cita

Ok this is not really a historical landmark but it is right in the middle of the walking tour, and being I been there and its pretty cool, I thought I post the info.
Nice spot to chill at aside drinks!
Thursday is suppose to be cracken good music to dance too!
they got 2 bars, outdoor patio, small but banging dance floor
Fridays is Punky Reggae featuring part time punk DJ and members of the Dub Club
the rest of the nights its a Mexican music vibe and other stuff
(beware of hipsters though)
plus you gotta love the red color and the old school Mexican Chairs nice


336 S Hill St Los Angeles, CA 90013 Phone: (213) 687-7111

Cross Street
Third Street
Hours:
Daily 10am-2am

La Cita MySpace you can add them

Grand Central Market 315 S Broadway
(below)
This land mark it has been open since 1917, it has over 50 vendors. I loved it inside lots of food and fresh produce, and since we all love swap meets around here it definitely gave me a good vibe


Million Dollar Theater
307 s Broadway
One of the first movie houses in the country

There is a few more sites to see I did not post but if you like to learn some history check out the La conservancy site for details.