Part 1/11:

The Lost Mansions of Los Angeles: A Journey Through Time and Transformation

The Humble Origins of Los Angeles

It may come as a surprise, but the city of Los Angeles once resembled a small settlement with vast potential for expansion. The roots of this sprawling metropolis trace back to 1781, when 44 Spanish settlers established the settlement now known as downtown Los Angeles. Named El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, or "The Town of Our Lady Queen of the Angels," it was a modest yet strategic community situated along the Los Angeles River, providing vital resources for its inhabitants.