Welcome to the
South Central Archive
-YOU ARE HOME.

In 2021, Esperanza Community Housing launched
the South Central Archive as a community-driven
preservation project that anchors
intergenerational stories by Indigenous, Black,
Brown, Immigrant, LGBTQIA2S+, system impacted,
and people of all abilities.

Our goal is to bring visibility to the beauty,
strengths, wisdom in South Central and our hope is
that you see yourself reflected in the archive. We
invite you to grow the archive with us.

Welcome to the
South Central Archive
-YOU ARE HOME.

In 2021, Esperanza Community Housing launched
the South Central Archive as a community-driven
preservation project that anchors
intergenerational stories by Indigenous, Black,
Brown, Immigrant, LGBTQIA2S+, system impacted,
and people of all abilities.

Our goal is to bring visibility to the beauty,
strengths, wisdom in South Central and our hope is
that you see yourself reflected in the archive. We
invite you to grow the archive with us.
Collections
South
CENTRAL
AMERICAN Stories
Collections
South
CENTRAL
AMERICAN
Stories
Exhibitions
WOMEN of the
MERCADO
Pays tribute to the women who populate the Mercado La Paloma.
Restaurant workers and small business owners some, community
workers and health promoters others.
Exhibitions
WOMEN of the
MERCADO
Pays tribute to the women who
populate the Mercado La Paloma.
Restaurant workers and small business
owners some, community workers and
health promoters others.
See More ->
Sofía Hernández Aquino
Regina Slaughter
Patricia Rizo
Guadalupe Ávalos
Aritsa Elliot
Lina Juárez
Gloria Ayala
Fátima Flores
Fabiola Sánchez
María Eva Guardado
Carmen Aparicio
Projects
SOUTH CENTRAL
Timeline
We proudly present the beginning of a shared story - THE STORY OF OUR COMMUNITY. We envision this timeline as a living document, constantly evolving and growing. Therefore, we encourage community members to share any additional information or corrections to help us create a more comprehensive record.
6000 BCE
TONGVA PEOPLE
The Tongva people inhabited the unceded land
known today as the Los Angeles Basin for 7,000
years. Thriving in complex societies with flourishing
trade networks, they became one of the most
influential native groups Southern California.
Spanish colonization in 1769 brought forced
relocation, deplorable living conditions, and foreign
diseases, decimating the Tongva population and
shattering their way of life.
1781
EL PUEBLO DE NUESTRA SEÑORA
LA REINA DE LOS ÁNGELES
Los Pobladores were a mixed group of 44 colonists
and four soldiers from New Spain (Mexico). They were
recruited in 1781 to establish "El Pueblo de Nuestra
Senora la Reina de los Angeles," which translates to
"The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels," near
the San Gabriel Mission, laying the foundation for
what is now the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles.
The establishment of Los Angels is marred by the
displacement and enslavement of the Tongva people,
who were the original inhabitants of the area  
Projects
SOUTH CENTRAL
Timeline
We proudly present the beginning of a shared story - THE STORY OF OUR COMMUNITY. We envision this
timeline as a living document, constantly evolving and growing. Therefore, we encourage community
members to share any additional information or corrections to help us create a more comprehensive record.
6000 BCE
TONGVA PEOPLE
The Tongva people inhabited the unceded land
known today as the Los Angeles Basin for 7,000
years. Thriving in complex societies with flourishing
trade networks, they became one of the most
influential native groups Southern California.
Spanish colonization in 1769 brought forced
relocation, deplorable living conditions, and foreign
diseases, decimating the Tongva population and
shattering their way of life.
1781
EL PUEBLO DE NUESTRA SEÑORA
LA REINA DE LOS ÁNGELES
Los Pobladores were a mixed group of 44 colonists
and four soldiers from New Spain (Mexico). They were
recruited in 1781 to establish "El Pueblo de Nuestra
Senora la Reina de los Angeles," which translates to
"The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels," near
the San Gabriel Mission, laying the foundation for
what is now the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles.
The establishment of Los Angels is marred by the
displacement and enslavement of the Tongva people,
who were the original inhabitants of the area  
Grow the SOUTH CENTRAL
ARCHIVE with us!
Share your memories, including diaries,
letters, photos, videos, or other archival
materials, to be featured in the South
Central Archive for public viewing
Send!
Grow the SOUTH CENTRAL ARCHIVE
with us!
Share your memories, including diaries,
letters, photos, videos, or other archival
materials, to be featured in the South
Central Archive for public viewing
Send!
Shop
Get inspired by the SOUTH
CENTRAL ARCHIVE Style
Coming Soon!
Shop
Get inspired by the
SOUTH CENTRAL
ARCHIVE Style
Coming Soon!
POWERED BY
The SOUTH CENTRAL ARCHIVE has been made possible through the generous
support of esteemed donors, organizations, and other individuals dedicated to arts,
education, and the preservation of history and culture.
Esperanza Community HousingLA Grit Media
Amity Foundation Logo