The Spanish Era

Quick Read under construction

From 1781 to 1821, Los Angeles was a small, remote outpost in the Spanish Empire.

The site of the city was chosen because of the presence of year-round water in the local river. The earliest city is situated roughly where Olivera Street / the plaza is today, on a slight bluff to protect against the occasional winter-floods.

Poor harbor - so there was no early attraction to the coast.

Nearby missions at San Gabriel and San Fernando struggled to convert local natives to Catholicism and to remain economically viable.

Although the climate, soils and water supplies were adequate for self-sufficiency, the distance to markets in the US or New Spain (Mexico) made profitable export economy difficult.

Hides and tallow were the only significant export.