,

Flashback Fridays – Early 20th Century Echo Park Lake

Panoramic view of Echo Park, looking north toward Mount Hollywood, December 1911

We recently found some photos in the University of Southern California’s Digital Library of Echo Park in the very beginning of the 20th century.

We’ve posted some of the pictures here for your enjoyment. The photo above was accompanied by a lovely account of the beginnings Echo Park Lake written by Jose Rivera.

Initially, the area we now know as the park was a natural arroyo that filled with water from a spring-fed stream that originated at Baxter Street and flowed down what is now Echo Park Avenue. In 1868 the Los Angeles Canal and Reservoir Co. dammed the arroyo to make a reservoir that aided in powering a woolen mill at what is now 6th and Figueroa (then known as Pearl St.) and was to eventually serve local residents, walnut orchards and vineyards to the south along Alvarado. The immigrants that worked these orchards and vineyards settled here and began to build small homes along Sunset Boulevard, between Echo Park Avenue and Lemoyne Street.

In 1875, the woolen mill closed and the reservoir land (then known as the Montana Tract) was sold off. Eventually, Thomas J. Kelley and Dr. W. Lemoyne Wills purchased the land for a business venture. In 1888, Mr. Kelley and Dr. Wills donated the land to the city for the expressed purpose of creating a public park for the enjoyment of the people of Los Angeles.

The first Superintendent of Parks for the city was an English immigrant named Joseph Tomlinson who was assigned the task of creating the park. One day, while overseeing the work, Mr. Tomlinson thought he heard his workers talking during a break, but he knew they were across the park from him. The park had an echo! He knew what the name of the park would be! The park was dedicated and opened to the public in 1895. The famous bed of lotuses that grow in the lake at the northwest end of the park, the largest stand of lotuses outside Asia, is a mystery yet to be solved. One legend says that evangelical Chinese missionaries planted them for use as food, but no one knows the real story. They appeared some time in 1923 or 1924.

Click below to view more photos.

View across the Echo Park Lake, showing the boat house, 1924

Boys launching boats on a lake in Echo Park during the Echo Park Boat Tournament in Los Angeles, ca.1930

/1,972 Comments/by
1972 replies
« Older CommentsNewer Comments »
  1. travel umroh sumbar says:

    I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this website. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own site now 😉

  2. kitchen window blinds says:

    Having read this I believed it was really enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this information together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  3. tirai jendela gulung says:

    I blog often and I truly appreciate your content. This article has truly peaked my interest. I will bookmark your website and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

  4. Beasiswa ke Luar Negeri says:

    Hello, I believe your blog could possibly be having browser compatibility problems. When I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, wonderful website!

  5. 24 hour fitness says:

    I just could not depart your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the usual information a person provide on your guests? Is gonna be again ceaselessly to check out new posts

  8. 918kissr says:

    This is the perfect webpage for anyone who would like to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic that’s been written about for decades. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!

  10. dewabetqq says:

    Hey there! I simply want to give you a huge thumbs up for the great information you have got here on this post. I am coming back to your blog for more soon.

  11. samehadaku says:

    That is a good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate information… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read post!

  12. hpl triplek says:

    Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to create a top notch article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

  13. Keramik Kamar Mandi says:

    I blog frequently and I seriously appreciate your information. This article has truly peaked my interest. I will take a note of your website and keep checking for new information about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed too.

  14. Sbobet says:

    Your style is really unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this page.

  15. Keramik Dinding says:

    I really love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you develop this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own personal blog and want to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Thanks!

  16. judi bola says:

    A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you should publish more on this issue, it may not be a taboo matter but generally people don’t discuss such topics. To the next! Cheers!!

  17. cat tembok outdoor says:

    I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I really hope to view the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own site now 😉

  18. Sbobet says:

    Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always useful to read content from other authors and use something from other sites.

  19. judi bola says:

    Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely delighted I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!

  21. asianbookie says:

    I blog often and I really appreciate your information. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your Feed too.

  25. situs judi bola resmi says:

    Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks, However I am having problems with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody else having similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  26. situs judi bola says:

    I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal blog now 😉

  30. hpl kayu jati says:

    Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this web site before but after looking at a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m certainly delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!

  33. Cat Dinding says:

    Greetings, There’s no doubt that your web site could possibly be having web browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, fantastic website!

  42. ratu poker 88 says:

    An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you need to publish more about this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but typically people don’t discuss such issues. To the next! Best wishes!!

  44. pkvgames says:

    Hello! I simply want to give you a huge thumbs up for the great information you have here on this post. I’ll be returning to your site for more soon.

  46. car designing says:

    It¡¦s really a cool and useful piece of information. I¡¦m satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

« Older CommentsNewer Comments »

Comments are closed.