Lotus Blossom: The First Chinese-American Film and Made in Boyle Heights, Part One

In 2015, the Chinese film industry’s box-office receipts skyrocketed nearly 50% and the recent Chinese New Year/Valentine’s Day seven-day take produced a new record of over a half-billion dollars, beating the haul that was brought in during the opening week of the latest Star Wars film.   In light of these leaps and bounds, it is interesting that,…

The Travels and Travails of the Haym Salomon Statue, Part Three

This is the third and final part of a post by Boyle Heights Historical Society Advisory Board member Rudy Martinez on a little-known statue for a largely-forgotten figure from the American Revolution, Haym Salomon.  We hope you’ve enjoyed this post and come back soon for more posts on the fascinating history of Boyle Heights! –…

The Travels and Travails of the Haym Salomon Statue, Part Two

This is the second part of a post by Boyle Heights Historical Society Advisory Board member Rudy Martinez on a little-known statue for a largely-forgotten figure from the American Revolution, Haym Salomon.  Enjoy and check back soon for the next installment! – Paul R. Spitzzeri After a good deal of planning was instituted for the…

The Travels and Travails of the Haym Salomon Statue, Part One

This is the first part of a post by Boyle Heights Historical Society Advisory Board member Rudy Martinez on a little-known statue for a largely-forgotten figure from the American Revolution, Haym Salomon.  Enjoy and check back soon for the next installment! – Paul R. Spitzzeri In June 2008, a small rededication ceremony was held for…

The Introduction of Electric Light to Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, Part 4

This is the fourth and final installment of this post on the introduction of electric power to Los Angeles and Boyle Heights by Rudy Martinez, Advisory Board member of the Boyle Heights Historical Society.  Research included scouring online newspapers, poring through many articles and books, and diligently searching through public archival records.  Thanks, Rudy, for…

The Introduction of Electric Light to Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, Pt. 3

This is the third of four posts on the coming of electric lighting to Los Angeles and the Boyle Heights neighborhood by Boyle Heights Historical Society Advisory Board member Rudy Martinez.  The fourth and final installment will be posted tomorrow. – Paul R. Spitzzeri In October 1882, Charles Howland incorporated the Los Angeles Electric Company…

The Introduction of Electric Light to Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, Pt. 2

This is the second of four posts by Boyle Heights Historical Society Advisory Board member Rudy Martinez on the early 1880s introduction of electric street lighting to Los Angeles, including an arc lamp built at First and Boyle in Boyle Heights.  The third and fourth installments will be posted next week. – Paul R. Spitzzeri…

The Introduction of Electric Light to Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, Pt. 1

This is the first of four posts by Boyle Heights Historical Society Advisory Board member Rudy Martinez about the origins of electric lighting in Los Angeles, consisting of tall mast lights including one in Boyle Heights. – Paul R. Sptizzeri Since this time of year is a time of holiday celebrations, often involving bright and…