As part of our Mission to share the history of El Sereno with the community and public, we plan to present a new picture/historic document every month. This will allow us, the El Sereno Historical Society, to continue sharing recent historic discoveries.
But more importantly it will allow you, our readers and supporters, the chance to have any hidden or long-forgotten historic gems be shared with our great El Sereno community. Sharing and learning about our history is a community effort, and we thank all those who contribute and add to our growing historic community's website.
Soto Street Tunnel Plaque
A few years ago, the old Pacific Electric tunnel was rediscovered while the city worked on the Soto Street and Valley Blvd. improvements. Since then we have worked with the Bureau of Engineering and Council District 14 staff to preserve and share our community history.
The west tunnel entrance is circled in red. Source: Los Angeles Public Library.
View from Valley Blvd as you turn onto Soto Street. Courtesy of Lincoln Heights Remembered.
The tunnel entrance, still semi filled.
Thank you to Councilmember Kevin De Leon, the staff of Council District 14 and the Bureau of Engineering for making this possible.
The Soto Street tunnel was an important protection from the dangers of the nearby Pacific Electric Pasadena Short Line (PE). The PE was a highly used line with many red cars traversing to and from Pasadena and Los Angeles. The tunnel was built in 1906 and was used until around 1938. The PE ferried people from all over Los Angeles to this location because of the many unique attractions in the vicinity, including the Legion Ascot Speedway (El Sereno), Eastlake Park (today Lincoln Park), the historic Selig Zoo (located adjacent to Lincoln Park), and the Indian Village.
This month, we are featuring the Evans family. Thanks to Cal State University of Los Angeles, who shared in their campus newspaper, University Times, our post announcing the Old Farmdale Schoolhouse being added to the National Register of Historic Places. As it happens, a relative of an early El Sereno family was reading the newspaper and came across the story.
After reading the University Times, E. Lloyd Evans left a comment, stating, “My father attended this school. He is on the postcard picture of the classroom about 1911. Stanley Evans was his name.”
We reached out to Lloyd to get more information about his family and the early days of El Sereno. He shared with us information about his family as well as a great photo of the era. Lloyd stated, “This is the home with my grandparents and my dad and his sister. I believe much of the Evans farm became Wilson High School.” The old Wilson became the site of El Sereno Middle School.
The story begins with the arrival of the Evans family in the 1890s, Welsh immigrants. Lloyd Evan shares, “I believe my grandfather arrived in El Sereno about 1889 or very early 1900. Evan Evans did make a trip back to Wales and brought back Emma Evans as his wife. Evan had a brother who was with him early in his migration to Southern California. His name was Mose Evans, and he moved to Chowchilla, CA, where he had a decent size farm.”
A portion of the old Rancho Rosa de Castilla is purchased by Evan Evans, right across the Old Farmdale Schoolhouse.
The Evans family built a home along what later became Gambier Avenue. In 1901, Evan Evans had a son, Stanley Trevor Evans. Ten years later, in February of 1911, the Evans family grew with the birth of their daughter, Winifred. At that time, Stanley Evans was of school age and attended the Old Farmdale Schoolhouse.
The Evans family built a home along what later became Gambier Avenue. In 1901, Evan Evans had a son, Stanley Trevor Evans. Ten years later, in February of 1911, the Evans family grew with the birth of their daughter, Winifred. At that time, Stanley Evans was of school age and attended the Old Farmdale Schoolhouse.
According to Lloyd Evans, his Aunt Winifred continued to reside in El Sereno, “She was married to Harold Nelson, and they lived for many years at 4747 Grey Drive in El Sereno. Their son Van Kirke Nelson attended Wilson HS, East LA JC, USC, and USC med school. He served as a doctor in Kalispell, MT for many years and has passed away.” Winifred Evans passed away in 1994.
Special thanks to our ESHS board member and researcher, Louis Salcido, and E. Lloyd Evans for their contribution to this article.
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