Before the Dodgers | Lost LA | Season 1, Episode 2 | KCET

Summary

This video explores the rich history of Chavez Ravine, now home to Dodger Stadium. It delves into the transformation of Los Angeles' Elysian Hills, from a refuge for the Tongva Indians to a booming city. The episode also highlights the development of Chavez Ravine, the displacement of its Mexican-American residents through eminent domain, and the eventual construction of Dodger Stadium. The narrative touches on themes of progress, loss, and the impact of urban development, while showcasing the city's evolution and the engineering feats behind Dodger Stadium's construction.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ The Elysian Hills, near Dodger Stadium, have served as a refuge and resource for various communities over thousands of years.
• 🗺️ 'Lost L.A.' explores the historical use and inhabitation of the hills around Dodger Stadium, highlighting how the landscape has changed.
• 🎨 A 1877 lithograph provides a view of Los Angeles from Mount Lookout, showing the city's connection to a larger America and its transformation over time.
• 🏡 The lithograph emphasizes domestication, civic expansion, and economic growth, suggesting a settled place for decent white Americans to call home.
• 🏭 The city's hills, once prominent, have been significantly altered, with many being leveled for development.
• 🏟️ Dodger Stadium, built in 1962, is now the third oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and has become an iconic part of Los Angeles.
• 🚧 The construction of Dodger Stadium involved a complex topography, with mountains moved and ravines filled to create the stadium and parking areas.
• 🌳 Walter O'Malley, the Dodgers' owner, initially saw the need for more landscaping, leading to the planting of thousands of trees and flowers.
• 🏘️ The Chavez Ravine site, home to Dodger Stadium since 1962, has a complex history, including the displacement of a Mexican-American community.
• 🏗️ The city's plan to build public housing in Chavez Ravine was eventually canceled, leading to the destruction of the neighborhood and the construction of the stadium.
• 🏙️ Despite the stadium's modern renovations, it still represents mid-century modern design and the blending of architecture with the reshaped topography.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of the Elysian Hills in Los Angeles?

The Elysian Hills have long been a significant landmark, serving as a refuge from floods for the Tongva Indians, a source of quarry and stone during the Americanization of the city, and a scenic vantage point from locations like Mount Lookout.

What is the significance of the lithograph mentioned in the transcript?

The lithograph from 1877 provides a detailed, artistic view of Los Angeles from Mount Lookout. It was not only an artistic achievement but also symbolized Los Angeles transitioning from a Western boom town to a settled place where Americans could build lives, emphasizing the city's growth and progress.

How did the terrain of Los Angeles change since the 19th century?

In the 19th century, Los Angeles was much hillier. Over time, the city's landscape was altered, with many hills being carved away to make room for urban development, which included major projects like the construction of Dodger Stadium.

What is the relationship between Dodger Stadium and Chavez Ravine?

Dodger Stadium was built on the site of Chavez Ravine, a former Mexican-American neighborhood. The community was displaced through the use of eminent domain, with residents being forced out to make way for the stadium's construction. This history of displacement remains a painful memory for some.

How did the development of Chavez Ravine impact the local Mexican-American community?

The local Mexican-American community was displaced through the city's use of eminent domain, as they were promised new public housing that never materialized. Many families lost their homes, and the once-thriving neighborhood was erased to build Dodger Stadium.

What architectural and engineering challenges were involved in building Dodger Stadium?

The construction of Dodger Stadium required significant reshaping of the land, including grading the site into a bowl and creating large parking lots. This involved moving mountains of earth and filling in ravines, highlighting the complexity of the project.

How does Dodger Stadium reflect mid-century modern design?

Dodger Stadium is an example of mid-century modern design, evident in features like its clean lines, inverted roof canopy, unadorned concrete structures, and the way the architecture blends into the surrounding topography.

What steps have been taken to preserve and enhance the views around Dodger Stadium?

Recent renovations to Dodger Stadium have included efforts to restore and enhance views of the city skyline, celebrating both the old and new aspects of Los Angeles while making the stadium more pedestrian-friendly with landscaped plazas.

What role did Walter O'Malley play in the development of Dodger Stadium?

Walter O'Malley, the owner of the Dodgers, played a key role in the development of Dodger Stadium. He envisioned it as an iconic ballpark and oversaw the extensive landscaping of the area, planting thousands of trees and flowers to create a park-like atmosphere around the stadium.

How has the public perception of Dodger Stadium evolved over time?

While initially controversial due to the displacement of the Chavez Ravine community, Dodger Stadium has since become an iconic part of Los Angeles. It is now the third oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and is celebrated for its mid-century design and connection to the city's history.