Before the LA riots; before the internment of Japanese-Americans and the massacre of Chinese-Americans; before Slavery; before this land was ever conquered by Spain, Mexico, or the U. S.; before the genocide of Native Americans… millennia after the first humans arrived on the scene, overkilling large mammals to extinction… by the river, within the community of Yang-Na, a sapling sprouted. The sycamore would grow to become a 400-year-old local landmark, called, "El Aliso." Here, a French cooper hybridized the mission grapevine with cuttings from Bordeaux, and together with the terroir, cultivated a vineyard which gave birth to California's wine industry. Indigenous villages and immigrant orchards prepared the ground for what followed: a German brewery; a boxing arena; a mule market; an Edison Electric power station; an artist colony; a gym for indoor rock-climbing; the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States… While the Aliso Tree is no longer standing, it continues to stand for Los Angeles, rooted in history.
THE TREES OF CALIFORNIA, by Getty Images and the Library of Congress
“Manzanita. Illus. from: U.S. Pacific railroad explorations and surveys, California and Oregon, Botany / U.S. Army, Corps of Topographical Engineers. House executive document 129, 33rd Congress, 1st session, plate III.,” circa 1855, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“The mammoth trees (Sequoia gigantea), California (Calaveras County) / executed in oil colors by Middleton, Strobridge & Co., Cin. O.,” circa 1860, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“Sunset (California scenery) / AB ’64 ; chromolith. & published by L. Prang & Co.,” circa 1864, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“Carmel Bay near Monterey,” by Detroit Photographic Co., published 1898, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“A California orange tree,” by Detroit Photographic Co., published between 1898 and 1905, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“Yucca cactus at Hesperia, California,” by Detroit Photographic Co., published between 1898 and 1905, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“California. Orange Grove Avenue, Pasadena,” by Detroit Photographic Co., published between 1898 and 1905, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“California. The drive in Cooper’s Canon [Cañ́on],” by Detroit Photographic Co., published between 1898 and 1905, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“Live oaks at Berkely College,” by Detroit Photographic Co., published between 1898 and 1905, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“California views. No. 1. The Golden Gate, looking west,” c. 1874, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“California views. No. 7. Santa Cruz mts., Monterey Bay, Pacific Ocean,” c. 1874, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“California views. No. 8. Redwood trees, Santa Cruz mtns.,” c. 1874, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“California views. No. 9. Big trees, Calavaras Grove,” c. 1874, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“Mariposa Grove of big trees. ‘Three graces,'” by Detroit Photographic Co., published 1900, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“Grape fruit,” by Detroit Photographic Co., published 1902, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
“Chez Panisse Cafe & Restaurant fifteenth birthday,” by David Lance Goines, 1986, courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
-Images courtesy of Getty Images. (top) Image courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Lithograph, “A correct view of the mammoth tree in California, the largest in the world,” by D. A. Plecker, published in Staunton, Va., c. 1873
Roger Sherman, also of Connecticut, was known to have given one of the shortest speeches in history at a bridge dedication ceremony when he said, "I think it will hold up all right," while testing the strength of the bridge with one foot.
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Aliso Tree — Los Angeles, rooted in history. 