Los Pobladores 200 members Charles Sepulveda, Joseph Northrop, and Robert Smith lead walkers across bridge over the Los Angeles River, September 4, 1999

Historic Walk of Los Pobladores

Each year over the Labor Day Weekend, the cities of San Gabriel and Los Angeles shared history and culture come alive through the "Los Pobladores Historic Walk to Los Angeles." The Walk is a historic reenactment of the 1781 nine-mile walk of the original Spanish settlers ( Los Pobladores) from San Gabriel Mission to present-day Los Angeles (El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles - the City of the Queen of Angels), which they founded 218 years ago. The tradition of the walk was begun in 1981 by T. Willard Hunter, a Claremont, California, columnist and administrator, and descendants of the original founders of the city, who had organized themselves on the 200th anniversary of the founding of Los Angeles in 1981 to become Los Pobladores 200.

Following three-days of festivities celebrating the founding of the San Gabriel Mission in 1771, the Walk is the kickoff ceremony which begins Los Angeles' birthday celebration and honors San Gabriel's place in history as the "Birthplace of the Los Angeles Region." The nine-mile walk begins at 6:00 a.m. and takes approximately three hours to complete. At the end of their nine-mile trek, walkers are greeted with a warm Los Angeles welcome and enjoy dramatic presentations and other activities at the Plaza of Los Angeles. Over the years, participation has grown to include local, district and state officials, dignitaries, history and culture lovers, and people from all walks of life, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

Included in the project is a seven-page report; 13 color snapshots with descriptions; a press release; newspaper articles; City of San Gabriel information materials; four flyers, a "certificate of participation" for walkers, and a map of the walk route.

Originally submitted by: Matthew G. Martinez, Representative (31st District).

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