by Paul R. Spitzzeri
On this day in 1810, Father Manuel Hidalgo exhorted his congregation in the town of Dolores with a passionate and inspired call for Mexican independence from Spain, with the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores) activating the decade-long revolution that finally culminated, in 1821, with the founding of the empire and, shortly afterward, the republic of México.
In 1821, the pueblo of Los Angeles, in what someone once called the Siberia of México, this referring to the far-flung location of the department of Alta California, contained several hundred residents, who largely lived in isolation and self-sufficiency. This would change dramatically, however, with Mexico’s independence, including much more openness to outside trade and foreign settlement—such as Jonathan Temple’s arrival seven years later, after which he established the town’s first store.
After a quarter century under an independent México, however, the Los Angeles and California were seized by American forces during the Mexican-American War, this quickly followed by the ferment and fervor of the Gold Rush. The resulting years included tremendous tension between Spanish-speakers and Americans and Europeans, very high levels of violence and other challenging conditions, though there were many examples of intermarriage, business ties, friendships and other aspects, as well.
For many, the celebration of Mexican Independence Day each 16 September, actually beginning the prior day with a recitation of the Grito, was, as for Americans and the 4th of July, a vital connection between their lives in the Angel City and their ties to México. Prior posts here have looked at commemorations in 1855 and the period from 1856-1864, including those covered in English-language newspapers and the sole Spanish-language one from that era, El Clamor Público. The end of that era also included the French control of México, which, however, was ended in 1867 after Benito Juárez, who was president from 1858 and, after restoration, served until 1872.
For 1865, the only located Angel City newspaper reference was from the Los Angeles News of the 16th, which merely remarked that, “the Mexicans celebrate to-day . . . in a manner becoming the occasion,” and it, obviously, would have been good to know just what that manner was and if it varied from what was reported for events the prior two years in the News. Fortunately, the paper did provide some detail for the celebration of 1866 under a headline of “Mexican Independence.”
The paper commented that this included “firing a salute in the morning and evening,” while it continued that,
During the day a procession was formed on Main street, displaying the national flags of Mexico, Chili [sic, the independence day of which is on the 18th marking the anniversary of the first national government meeting in 1810] and the United States, and marched to the house of Don Manuel Gonzales, where a large booth had been erected for the occasion, with a stand for the speakers; above the speakers stand were tastily arranged in large letters, the names of the favorite heroes of Mexican Independence.
Also mentioned by the News was “the display of the names of the late Liberal victories” in the fight against the French, while speeches were rendered by Gonzales, Pio Quinto Davila, José Dolores Guerrero and other Angelenos. During these orations, it was observed, “the wrongs suffered by that unfortunate country were eloquently portrayed” and, consequently, “the speakers were frequently interrupted by the applauses of the people.”
In the evening, the account went on, there was a balloon ascension, the first found reference to one of these in Los Angeles was from June 1863 at the Tivoli Garden, located near the Los Angeles River in the southeastern part of town, and “a brilliant display of fireworks.” Amid a closing discussion of Mexican history, including which was the remark that “she has suffered more from internal wars than any nation known to modern history,” the paper mentioned that, despite “possessing more natural resources than almost any other [country] on the globe,” México “has not kept pace with her sister Republics in the march of civilization.”
Notably, the piece observed that,
Altogether, the occasion was one that proved that whatever may be the fate of war cursed Mexico, her sons that have been driven to seek a home among strangers, still cling with patriotic devotion to the flag of their unfortunate country . . .
Whatever may be the termination of her present difficulties, Mexico will yet take an enviable position with her sister Republics.
Under the heading of “Anniversary of Mexican Independence,” the News of 17 September provided a similar length article regarding the celebration of 1867, stating that “the natives of that Republic made that occasion a joyous one.” The unidentified writer was up before dawn because it was observed that “at an early hour the roads leading into the city were thronged with vehicles and horsemen eager to participate in the ceremonies of the day.”
When the sun rose, “a grand salute was fired, which continued at intervals throughout the day.” The account then continued,
At three o’clock, a procession was formed, preceded by an excellent band of music[ians]; then came the flags of the United States, Mexico and Chile; after which [was] a carriage containing twelve young girls dressed in white, whose appearance elicited great admiration. Then followed a long line of footmen, two and two, which was closed by a large number of persons on horseback.
The parade wended through downtown, on “principal streets,” like meaning Main, Spring, perhaps 1st, “and above the plaza,” in Sonoratown, “were halted, and dismissed until evening.” When there was a reconvention at 8 p.m., a torchlight procession was conducted, including “a triumphal car containing 24 little girls,” this vehicle “elegantly decorated and drawn by hand.” The march ended at “the reservoir in the plaza,” this being the brick structure that formerly housed water delivered by a system drawing from the Los Angeles River to the north near the Elysian Hills and which is found in early photos of the Plaza.
Orations were delivered by “Don Guerro,” likely Dolores Guerrero, “Oilla Lobos,” or Villalobos, “and a lady named Dona Tiburcio [Tiburcia]” and each were listened to “with rapt attention.” The crowd was estimated to be around 400 persons, after which it went northwest along Upper Main Street, which no longer exists due to rerouting later in the century, where another presentation was made by Antonio Capura. When he finished his speech, the assemblage left “well satisfied with the day’s celebration.”
The city’s first newspaper, the Los Angeles Star, ran continuously from spring 1851 to fall 1864, when it was shuttered during difficult financial days, but it was resurrected not quite four years later by longtime publisher Henry Hamilton. In the paper’s edition of 19 September, an article with the title of “Independent Mexico” offered the opinion that “Mexico must be the freest and best, and most independent country in all the world, judging from the turnout made here on Wednesday last, in honor of the celebration of the declaration of her Independence from the rule of Spain.”
The paper went on to note that,
About midnight on Tuesday [the 15th], the town was enlivened by the strains of martial music, and on looking out we perceived a long line of processionists wending their way along the principal streets with torches, banners, etc., etc. There was also a large platform on wheels drawn by men, built up with tiers of benches towering to a great height, filled with handsome and gaily dressed children.
Among the young ones were representations of America, the Goddess of Liberty and Justice, while 22 other children were identified with each of the states and territories of México. When the parade was completed, the participants “returned to their headquarters above [north of] the [Plaza] Church,” this 1820s landmark still with us just off the west side of the Plaza, and “guns were fired in honor of the day we celebrate.”
At 5 p.m. on the 16th, “the Mexican population assembled on North Main street, and organized a public meeting,” headed by chair José María Obando with speeches rendered by Ignacio W. Covarrubias, Miguel J. Varela and a youngster, Cayetano González. A parade, like the one the previous evening, took the streets until 9 p.m. and returned to the meeting spot, where more speechifying was offered by José Dolores Guerrero, José Villalobos and “P. Vadio.” Varela ended the festivities with thanks to the crowd.
With two English-language newspapers, the commemorations of 1869 were more extensive, with the News of the holiday date informing readers that, “it has always been the custom for our Spanish,” note the use of this instead of Mexican “population to celebrate this event, like our Fourth of July.” This meant fireworks, the parade and speeches, with that procession to include the “triumphal car” with its bevy of young women, banners, music and so on, as well as the orations. A separate short note remarked that there was to be a celebration at the harbor town of Wilmington.
Under the title of “Los Angeles Gardens,” though the location was not stated, the News of the 17th, reporting that “we paid a visit to these gardens yesterday, to witness the ceremonies,” and it added that up to 1,000 persons were in attendance “enjoying the good things that were spread out before them, without money and without price.” Between speeches was music, which “discoursed the national airs” of México, while “a large table was spread beneath the shade of the most splendid fruit trees, and it literally groaned under the load of eatables and drinkables.”
Amid all of the “delicacies of the season,” as well as the fact that “wine and lager flowed in abundance,” the paper recorded that “the utmost decorum and harmony prevailed.” The familiar names of Davila, Guerrero and Villalobos were mentioned as speakers, offering their remarks “in the most eloquent style” and, for the assembled, these presentations succeeded in “arousing them to the highest pitch of enthusiasm.”
The News representative informed readers that,
Passing in at the gate, we were confronted by a guard or sentinel, dressed in a uniform consisting of black pants and red shirt—one of the members of a company formed for the occasion; passing him we beheld a triumphal car, festooned with flags and flowers, within which were seated sixteen young ladies, dressed in white; the chief among them was Miss Angelita Salazar [as “America”], assisted by Adriana Abila [Avila, as “Justice”], and Olympia Silva [“Liberty”]—a galaxy of young ladies that were the admiration of every beholder for their beauty, grace and dignified deportment . . . Altogether, the festival was a success, and will long be remembered by our citizens, both native and foreign-born.
The Star, in its number of the 18th, added that the late night portion of the celebration, at 11 p.m. on the 15th, included that “the Mexicans and those who affiliate,” whatever that meant, “with them paraded . . . in large numbers, with a band of music, torches, etc.” That car filled with the girls was also observed as part of the processional.
For the 16th, the paper went on, “the people assembled Main street, march to the Los Angeles gardens,” which may have been at the well-known Round House on that street at 2nd street, “where a festival was held, speeches made, and a good time was had generally.” The same three men mentioned by the News were noted as the orators and the paper concluded that, “the Society,” which sounds like a formal organization, though which is not known, “again paraded the streets, closing the day with an effective display of fireworks.” The Star approvingly commented that,
The proceedings passed off in the most satisfactory manner, and highly creditable to all who participated therein.
Despite the relatively significant amount of attention given to the celebrations of 1868 and 1869, there was a paucity of information offered for 1870, with the News simply telling its readers that “a grand celebration will occur at the Verdugo Rancho,” this being the Rancho San Rafael, in what is now Glendale.”
The Star was only somewhat more verbose in remarking that “the Mexican Fourth of July . . . was not forgotten by the descendants of those who raised their hands and bared their breasts against the power of Spain, when that nation was a power on the earth.” That is an interesting statement, given that Spain from 1810-1821 was but a shadow of the world power of earlier centuries.
In any case, the paper commented that,
The citizens of this place of Mexican descent, with friends and sympathizers in the cause of republicanism, celebrated their national festival in a pleasant and appropriate manner at Sycamore Grove.
This place, mentioned in the local press as early as September 1869 and along the west bank of the Arroyo Seco just north of its confluence with the Los Angeles River, became a very popular locale for events of all kinds and included, at various times, buildings and other infrastructure for community gatherings. Today, it is Sycamore Grove Park in Highland Park, the northeast Los Angeles neighborhood.
Having covered some 15 years of Mexican Independence Day celebrations in Los Angeles during the 1850s and 1860s, we’ll look to resume next year with a look at commemorations in the first years of the 1870s.