Quote:
Originally Posted by HossC
The "E Moreno" on the La Esperanza sign was Ezequiel Moreno. I've had a quick look through the City Directories, and found the following:
I think the first appearance of La Esperanza Bakery is 1929, when they were based at 1430 N Main Street. By 1930, the business is listed at 367 and 1430 N Main Street. The "La Esperanza" name disappears from the CDs during the mid-1930s, but I found listings for bakeries belonging to Albert Moreno (1932) and Ezequiel Moreno (1934 and 1936) at 367 N Main Street. The 1938, 1939 and 1942 CDs all show La Esperanza at 507 N Main Street. The next CD, 1956, has three addresses: 507 N Main Street, 1803 E 103rd Street and 139 S Broadway. Throughout the 1960s, La Esperanza is listed at 507 N Main Street and 2131 N Broadway.
That appears to be where the story ends. The 1973 CD doesn't have a listing for La Esperanza or 507 N Main Street, and 2131 N Broadway is listed as a pharmacy. |
I just came across a full-text PDF document containing an
application by the L.A. Conservancy to have the Plaza district added to the National Register of Historic Places. The original part is dated 1972, but there seem to be several addenda added over the following years into the 1980s. There's at least some discussion for just about every building on the site, contributing to a count of 35 pages.
I haven't read it through yet, but I can't help wonder if this is when the last businesses were evicted, including La Esperanza? Does anyone have access to phone books or directories from 1970 to about 1974?
It wouldn't surprise me if this was the source document for the informational pamphlets the Park passed out to visitors in the 1970s and 80s.