Weird West Adams

I like "The City." For those of us who live in Downey, that means driving about 13 miles west to Los Angeles. Although I have explored many areas in the past few years, I find I know surprisingly little about LA.

This afternoon, a friend and I took a tour called "Weird West Adams." The tour was put on by Esotouric (offering bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles). It was a fun way to learn a little local history. Our tour focused on the historical district of West Adams and crimes from the early 20th century. It gave me a new glimpse into the past and made me curious to know more.

One of the places we visited was the Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery, located just outside the heart of downtown. How had I never seen it? Founded in 1884, the cemetery stretches for 65 acres. According to Wikipedia: "The internments include pioneers and members of leading families who had a conspicuous place in Los Angeles institutions and the state." It was also intriguing to find many headstones for soldiers who served in the Spanish American War (1898).

It had me rethinking about the importance of having a memorial marker of some kind. It offers a tangible way of remembering a loved one and it helps us gain a sense of the past.