Aliso Tree — Los Angeles, rooted in history.
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.
"On Christmas Day in the year 1828 the American brig 'Danube' was wrecked on the rocks at San Pedro. The crew were rescued and a few of them remained as settlers. Among these was John Groningen, a German. The Spanish people could not twist their tongues around the name so they called him Juan Domingo."
"Many famous Fourths has our ancient city seen, in its dramatic and colorful history; but some of them were epochal enough to have deep interest and special significance to all Angelenos."
"Artist's sketch of Juan Domingo's large adobe home and vineyard located on the corner of Alameda and Aliso streets. Domingo's real name was Johann Gronigen, a native of Holland who came to America as a ship carpenter. He settled in Los Angeles, and by reason of his arrival in town on a Sunday, and the difficult pronunciation of his German name, the natives called him Juan Domingo."
Aliso Tree — Los Angeles, rooted in history. 