In the early nineteen hundreds, the Los Angeles area was invaded by a massive wave of Mexican immigrants. Mexicans who immigrated into Los Angeles came from the central and northern states of Mexico. They came from states such as Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Durango, Jalisco, Michoacan, Guanajuato, and Mexico City. The reason why Mexicans fled their homeland was because of the Mexican Revolution, which took place during the time period 1911- 1920. One result of the war was the destruction of transportation and communication that the Mexican people had with other parts of the country.
 |
| During the Whittier blowouts |
Fighting took place in various parts of Mexico, mainly in the southern regions.
As the war began to leave many cities in ruins, refugees fled to the north. People’s businesses were destroyed; food was scarce then. As one immigrant said, “When questioned, many people will tell you that they fled from Mexico to escape starvation.” Therefore, the citizens of Mexico were forced to move northward towards the border states. This overcrowding of the border cities led to the migration of the Mexican population into the U.S. in search of a better life, as well as a better living.
In Los Angeles, during the period 1915 to 1930, the Mexican population settled in the Plaza area, which was located downtown. They lived there because the homes were sold at reasonable prices. The population in the Plaza area increased with the new waves of immigrants who migrated from Mexico. This later led to the overcrowding of the Plaza, leaving the newcomers without the possibility of renting a home there.
 |
| Mariacis a la Mercado! |
This forced the Mexican immigrants to move towards the area east of the river. Since Boyle Heights was already occupied by Jews and other groups, Mexicans moved out into the Belvedere section where there were low prices on lots for homes. Belvedere became a crowded village of small homes and shacks.
In the early 1920’s, many signs pointed towards the movement of Mexicans to the east side of town. A larger group crossed the river and located around Stephenson Avenue, in what may be called the South Boyle Heights section. The movement of Mexicans toward the “new” east side occurred at the time when the Los Angeles Pacific Electric Railway opened new lines to Brooklyn Heights and the east side. Indeed, the existence of rail service to outlying communities such as Maravilla and Belvedere made it possible for many working class families to form Mexican communities east of the Los Angeles River. These communities in time became one--the area that is now known as East Los Angeles.
