Boyle Heights Archive, 1973-2005

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Summary

Abstract:
Boyle Heights is a historic neighborhood of Los Angeles,California which was diversely populated by Jewish, Latino, Russian, and Japanese Americans in the mid-Twentieth century. It was once home to the largest Jewish community in the Western United States, however many Jewish families left because of the freeway development in the community and banks redlining the neighborhood. Currently, Boyle Heights is a working-class, heavily Mexican American, youthful neighborhood of almost 100,000 residents.
Extent:
0.83 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Folder title, Series, Box number, Collection title, followed by Special Collections and Archives, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California State University, Los Angeles

Background

Scope and content:

The materials in this collection were created from 1973-2005. The bulk of the collection includes Reports most of which were maintained with the original title given by Victor Valle. The Reports contain information about the Boyle Heights area, cultural and community reports, and information about the Breed Street Shul. Smaller series include Audio/Visual Series and the Miscellaneous Series.

Series I: Reports Inclusive Dates: 1995 - 2001 Arrangement: Chronological

This series consists of reports concerning possible Metro Transit improvements to the Boyle Heights area, varying topical reports on Boyle Heights history, and reports about the Breed Street Shul.

Series II: Audio/Visual Inclusive Dates: 1996, 2005 Arrangement: Alphabetical

This small series consists of a compact disc containing the Breed Street Shul Project CCHE Grant application, and a VHS tape of "Meet Me at Brooklyn and Soto" which is about the historic Jewish community in East Los Angeles.

Series III: Miscellaneous Inclusive Dates: 1973, 2002 Arrangement: Chronological

This small series consists of a photocopy/printout of information about cemeteries of Los Angeles, specifically the Evergreen Cemetery. Also contains a database search of the Huntington Library for the cemetery document.

Biographical / historical:

Boyle Heights is a historic neighborhood of Los Angeles, California which was diversely populated by Jewish, Latino, Russian, and Japanese Americans in the mid-Twentieth century. It was once home to the largest Jewish community in the Western United States, however many Jewish families left because of the freeway development in the community and banks redlining the neighborhood. Currently, Boyle Heights is a working-class, heavily Mexican American, youthful neighborhood of almost 100,000 residents.

The Breed Street Shul was built as a place of worship in 1922. After the Jewish community left Boyle Heights, the Breed Street Shul was the last synagogue in Boyle Heights; there had been around thirty when the Jewish population was at its peak. In the 1980s, the Shul was essentially abandoned and was damaged by vandalism, earthquakes, and neglect. Today the mission of the project is to bring together the Jewish, Latino and other communities of Los Angeles by rehabilitating the landmark Breed Street Shul in Boyle Heights. By transforming the campus into a center of arts, culture, education and service for its current neighbors.

This collection represents the initial installment of the Boyle Heights Archive in 2005. This archive was initiated to serve as a setting for studies that explore the ongoing history of Latino/Chicano/Jewish community relations of Boyle Heights.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into three series: I. Reports II. Audio/Visual; and III. Miscellaneous.

Indexed terms

Places:
California--East Los Angeles

Access and use

Terms of access:

The Boyle Heights Archive is the physical property of California State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and Archives.

Preferred citation:

Folder title, Series, Box number, Collection title, followed by Special Collections and Archives, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California State University, Los Angeles

Location of this collection:
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032-8300, US
Contact:
Website