The past and present of Elysian Valley

Many artists in Elysian Valley, that ribbon of neighborhood bounded by the Los Angeles River and the 5 Freeway, are busy preparing for this Saturday’s annual Frogtown Artwalk.  But way back before this riverside neighborhood, also known to some as Frogtown, started attracting artists, it attracted developers who carved up the land into tiny lots and christened it Elysian Gardens. Diane Edwardson of the Corralitas Red Car Property blog has posted some pages (pictured above) from a 1922 real estate brochure for Elysian Gardens. Lots were being sold from $570 to $1,200 each, with initial payments as low as $50 followed by monthly payments of $15.  The developer also offered to sell homes with the most modern of conveniences:

“Electric light and bell on porch; built-in features in living and dining rooms; plenty of drawer space; high sink and ample cupboard room in kitchen; laundry tub and water heater on porch. Planned throughout to lighten house-work.”

For a more up to date view of Elysian Valley, the Elysian Valley Arts Collective commissioned a short film: Mapping Frogtown: Stories from Elysian Valley. The film, a clip below, will be premiered during the Frogtown Art Walk on an outdoor screen.