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Los Angeles emerged as a small Spanish settlement, notable for its fertile lands alongside the Los Angeles River. The early 19th century marked a shift under Mexican rule, but it was not until California's annexation by the United States in 1848 that significant changes occurred. The Gold Rush of 1849 brought an influx of people seeking opportunity, positioning Los Angeles as a crucial supply hub for those heading to the goldfields, setting the stage for rapid growth and infrastructure expansion.