Site of the Los Angeles Star

Southern California's first newspaper came off a press in this block on May 17, 1851 — four pages, two in English and two in Spanish, running as La Estrella de Los Angeles on the reverse. Francisco P. Ramirez was hired as a compositor at fourteen and was editing the Spanish half by seventeen. He left to found El Clamor Publico, which attacked the lynching of Mexicans by Anglo mobs until it went broke in 1859. His grandfather built the Avila Adobe up the street.

What the plaque says

Southern California's first newspaper, The Los Angeles Star, was founded in this block on May 17, 1851 and for many years exerted a major influence upon this part of the state. Suspended temporarily from 1864 to 1868, it continued later as an effective voice of the people until its final termination date in 1879.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Colorado Street Bridge — 7.7 mi
  Beaux-Arts concrete arches curving 150 feet above the Arroyo Seco, opened in 1913 and later a link in Route 66.
• Mission San Gabriel Arcangel — 8.2 mi
  The fourth Alta California mission, built on Tongva land with Tongva labor, rebuilt after arson and now telling that story straight.
• Santa Monica Pier — 15 mi
  Where the Mother Road runs out of continent, and where the End of the Trail sign gives the drive somewhere to finish.

More markers nearby

• Bella Union Hotel Site — steps away
• Merced Theatre — steps away
• Pico House (Hotel) — steps away
• Old Plaza Firehouse — steps away