Yesterday morning Councilmember LaBonge and I had the pleasure to honor Vicente Sanchez, one of early Los Angeles’ most important citizens, when we unveiled a “Sanchez Street” sign at El Pueblo. We were joined by 90-year-old Jack Sanchez, Vicente Sanchez’ great-great nephew, as well as Jack’s son Greg and a host of family members. Sanchez street was opened in the 1860s and runs from Arcadia Street to the south end of El Pueblo, ending in front of the Pico House. Vicente Sanchez was a “Californio” and mayor of Los Angeles in 1831 and his adobe home was the first two-story structure built at El Pueblo and was later used to swear in Manuel Micheltorena as the governor of Alta California in 1842. Jack Sanchez used to take family members to El Pueblo to see the sign named in their descendant’s honor, but on one trip discovered that the sign had disappeared. Councilmember LaBonge brought this to my attention after L.A. Times columnist Hector Tobar chronicled the story and the rest as they say, is history. And in the City of Los Angeles, history matters. Councilmember LaBonge and I created legislation to replace the sign and are also asking the El Pueblo Commission to create a permanent marker to share with visitors the importance of the Sanchez name. Congratulations to the Sanchez family and thanks to the El Pueblo Commission, GM Robert Andrade, the merchants, Department of Transportation (for putting the sign up) and everyone who came out for this great event including our fantastic "musicos."
