THE OSTRICH FARM RAILWAY Detail of Map of the City of Los Angeles, 1887, depicting the route of the Ostrich Farm Railway [Note: This essay was written for and originally appeared in the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council newsletter] Today Silver Lake is, by most accounts, moderately well served by mass transit. The website, Walk Score, … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA — The Ostrich Farm Railway
Pan-Asian Metropolis — Indian Los Angeles
INTRODUCTION Despite its historic and cultural importance, there seems to be surprisingly little out there about Metro Los Angeles’s sizable Indian community. Los Angeles is, after all, known for its unparalleled ethnic diversity — especially of Asian communities — and India is the most populous nation (Asian or otherwise) on Earth. But, for whatever reason, searching … Continue reading Pan-Asian Metropolis — Indian Los Angeles
Southland Parks — Visiting the Huntington’s Chinese and Japanese Gardens
The other day, I visited one of my favorite places in Los Angeles — The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (or, “The Huntington” to you and me). For anyone who hasn’t visited, the Huntington is the former estate of railroad magnate, Henry Edwards Huntington (1850-1927). After Huntington’s death, the mansion opened as the … Continue reading Southland Parks — Visiting the Huntington’s Chinese and Japanese Gardens
No Enclave — Exploring Jamaican Los Angeles
INTRODUCTION The other day, Evan Lovett of L.A. In a Minute asked me if I knew any history or tidbits about the Jamaican community in Los Angeles. If you somehow aren’t aware of L.A. in a Minute, take a check it out now. Anyway, as far as Jamaican Los Angeles went, I had little information. … Continue reading No Enclave — Exploring Jamaican Los Angeles
DTLA Bunker Hill Walk with John Yi
Late last year, California State Assembly candidate John Yi asked me if I’d like to lead a walk of a Downtown neighborhood within the borders of Assembly District 54. I immediately agreed. John had already led a walk of Koreatown. I’d attended his walk of Little Tokyo, led by Kevin Keizuchi. It was just a … Continue reading DTLA Bunker Hill Walk with John Yi
DTLA Walk with John — Bunker Hill Edition
On Saturday 20 January 2024, I’m going to co-lead a walk of Bunker Hill with State Assembly candidate, John Yi. We will meet at Metro's Civic Center/Grand Park Station in Gloria Molina Grand Park. To avoid confusion, make certain (if you come by train) that you exit in the Grand Park entrance/exit. There’s also an … Continue reading DTLA Walk with John — Bunker Hill Edition
California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Elysian Heights
INTRODUCTION The other day I explored Elysian Heights, a small neighborhood in Mideast Los Angeles that’s usually characterized as being part of Echo Park — despite its having been subdivided before Echo Park was even constructed. It wasn’t exactly my typical California Fool’s Gold exploration but rather part of a group walk that I led … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Elysian Heights
Hear on LA, the Republic (or Kingdom), of Los Angeles, its Provinces (or Counties), and their Capitals
I was recently a guest on Tony Pierce’s podcast, Hear in LA (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube -- or read on the Hear in LA website) . Toward the end of our discussion, Tony proposed Los Angeles becoming its own country. We didn't discuss what sort of state it would be, I don't … Continue reading Hear on LA, the Republic (or Kingdom), of Los Angeles, its Provinces (or Counties), and their Capitals
Plaza del Valle & All Valley Everything
A map of Plaza del Valle with rules listed below I was recently a guest on a new podcast, All Valley Everything, hosted by Albert Corado and featuring a rotating cast of co-hosts. For the episode on which I was a guest, the co-host was Veronica Shirley, of Valley Girl Hiking Club. Albert asked me … Continue reading Plaza del Valle & All Valley Everything
Houses of the Hallows — The Semi-Tropic Spiritualists and the Semi-Tropic Park
INTRODUCTION The other day, the Los Angeles Public Library posted a short clip of me talking about my map of the Elysian Heights neighborhood — crafted from interview footage shot for episode three of the library’s series, L.A. Untangled. After it was released, my friend, Jiyoung Park, commented on Twitter, “I wanna know more about … Continue reading Houses of the Hallows — The Semi-Tropic Spiritualists and the Semi-Tropic Park
Eric Brightwell 