Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, California

Lincoln Heights is a neighborhood northeast of downtown Los Angeles, California.

Geography and transportation

Lincoln Heights is bounded by the Los Angeles River on the west, the San Bernardino Freeway (I-10) on the south, and Soto Street on the east; the district's northern border is unclear due to the area's uneven terrain. Adjacent communities include El Sereno on the east, City Terrace on the southeast, Boyle Heights on the south, Chinatown and Solano Canyon on the west, Cypress Park on the northwest, Mt. Washington on the north, and Montecito Heights on the northeast. Major thoroughfares include Valley Boulevard; Mission Road; Pasadena Avenue; North Main, Marengo, Daly, and Figueroa Streets; and North Broadway. The Golden State Freeway (I-5) runs through the district, and the Metro Gold Line has a stop in the far northwestern portion of the district. Lincoln Heights' ZIP Code is 90031.

History

Lincoln Heights is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, dating to the 1870s. Perched on bluffs above the Los Angeles River, it was originally home to some of the city's wealthiest residents, who built a large number of Victorian mansions in the district (many of which have been preserved under the city's historic preservation program). North Broadway became a busy commercial strip, which it remains today. By the turn of the 20th century, however, the rapid industrial development along the riverbanks made it less appealing for wealthy Angelenos, who moved on first to the Arroyo Seco area and Hollywood, then (from the 1920s onward) to rapidly developing Mid-Wilshire. As wealthy residents departed, Lincoln Heights became home to a large Italian American population, as well as an increasingly large Mexican American population. It and its cross-river neighbor "Little Italy" (what is now Chinatown) formed the heart of southern California's Italian-American community. One of the major landmarks from this period, the San Antonio Winery, continues to operate today, albeit with non-local grapes.

Beginning just after World War II, Italians and some Mexicans began migrating out of Lincoln Heights and into working-class and middle-class suburbs in the San Gabriel Valley, including Alhambra, San Gabriel, Rosemead, and Temple City, California . This process accelerated during the 1950s with the construction of the Golden State Freeway, which split the district right down the middle and devastated the neighborhoods through which it passed. Ever since, Lincoln Heights has been a poor-to-working class Chicano and Latin American immigrant barrio. Many ethnic Chinese immigrants from Vietnam and their US-born children also reside in Lincoln Heights, due to its proximity to Chinatown.

Demographics

As of the 2005 census Lincoln Heights had an estimated population of 80,000, one of the largest of any Los Angeles neighborhood. The racial makeup of the neighboorhood is 80.1% Latino, 17.3% Asian, 3.6% were Non-Hispanic Black and White. Lincoln Heights is known for its Hispanic population as well as its growing Asian population, but many Italians still reside in the area.

Today

North Broadway is Lincoln Heights' focal point with its various restaurants and grocery stores. Councilman Ed Reyes's office is in the south Broadway area nearer to Downtown LA.

The Hills and Lincoln Heights Estates

"The Hills" and adjacent "Lincoln Heights Estates" are sometimes called "LA's best kept secret" largely for its amazing panaromic city views.

Fire service

Los Angeles Fire Department is in Lincoln Heights.

Education

Public schools

The district is within the Los Angeles Unified School District and is served with over a dozen schools in the area.

High schools:
* Lincoln High School

Middle schools:
* Florence Nightingale Middle School

Elementary schools:
* Hillside Elementary School
* Gates Street Elementary School
* Griffin Elementary School
* Latona Elementary School
* Glen Alta Elementary School
* Albion Elementary School operates the [http://www.kipplaprep.org/kipp/page.asp?id=1 KIPP Los Angeles Preparatory School] , a 5-8 charter middle school, in Lincoln Heights.

Excel Charter Academy, dedicated to academic rigor and experimenting with single-sex education, serves sixth and seventh graders.

Private schools

*Sacred Heart High School (all-girls')Our Lady Help of Christians (K-8th grade)

Public libraries

Lincoln Heights Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library is located on Workman Street.

Landmarks (present and former)

*
*Lincoln High School
*Lincoln Park
*Los Angeles Alligator Farm
*Los Angeles Ostrich Farm
*Plaza de la Raza
*San Antonio Winery
*Selig Zoo
*Sacred Heart Church

ee also

*Lincoln Heights (TV series)

External links

* [http://www.lincolnheightsnc.org/ Official website for the Lincoln Heights Council]
* [http://www.lincolnheightsla.com The History of Lincoln Heights, CA 90031 through old photos and memories]
* [http://www.geocities.com/t6pmull/Lincolnheights.html A Second Visit - A personal account of life in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles during the 1920's]
* [http://www.chanfles.com Chanfles.com A personal website and blog that includes many photos and information about LH, by someone currently living in Lincoln Heights]
* [http://www.lacystudiolofts.com/history.html History of Lincoln Heights]