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“The Golden Years on Olvera Street”
Narrative by Rebecca Tapia
The Early Years
 The year was 1938 - I was three years old. Mother bought me a hat on Olvera Street. She made me a "Jarabe Tapatio" costume, and I danced to a very receptive audience on the porch of Olvera Street’s old Adobe House. Eighteen years later, I moved to Olvera Street to continue the life I began long ago. We are five generations, which have existed on Olvera Street: Mama Grande, Mother, my brothers and sisters, our children and their children.
In 1957, Mother said, "We're moving to Olvera Street, and we will rent this house out!" So, from Hollywood (the City of Stars) to Olvera Street (a historical tourist attraction) we went. “Bienvenidos a La Calle Olvera!” Our new home: La Casa Sepulveda. Our family would live there until 1971 until we were forced to move after the Sylmar earthquake. However, we continued our activities, business and our devotion to Olvera Street, which we now know as our “home away from home."
During those years, it was a special place to me. It was a small taste of old Mexico with Mexican-American styled traditions; delicious aromas of homemade Mexican food; and, artisans selling Mexican imports while demonstrating their handicrafts. Mariachis strolled throughout “the Street” as it was known to those who lived to work there. The Mariachis played guitars and other instruments while they sang canciones rancheras with desire. "Come to Olvera Street - the Birthplace of Los Angeles - and experience an enchanting culture." Our aim was to plant seeds of Mexican tradition with friends, tourists, and our Los Angeles families.
Christine Sterling, the framer and matriarch of Olvera Street, came to Los Angeles in 1928. Olvera Street at that time was just a one-block long alley with boarded up doors and windows on its buildings. The Avila Adobe itself had a very large sign displayed on its façade marked with the sole word "CONDEMNED." Christine Sterling closed her eyes at the horrible sight; and, with determination and dedication, replaced it with a beautiful vision that has now bonded and educated cultures throughout our world.
The City of Los Angeles granted Mrs. Sterling the rights to renovate the Street. Her fundraisers for the Street were a tremendous success, as politicians, celebrities, large corporations, the police commissioner and many others supported her marvelous vision.
Construction material and labor were furnished for free. And, as time went by, Mrs. Sterling’s love for Olvera Street soon included a new idea: displaying Mexican artisans and their traditional wares to the public. These low-income families were the first of many generations to acquire security, pride, stability, and creativity through their hardwork as merchants of Olvera Street. Through them, the American Dream came and flourished on the Street and helped a population in need to express itself in its own unique way and to hearten its cultural self-esteem. As Mrs. Sterling’s vision was realized, she became lovingly known as "The First Lady of Olvera Street." Because of her depth of compassion and hard work, she was treated with deep respect by all that crossed her path.
In those days, as a visitor to Olvera Street, you would see the small "puestos" (i.e., shops) placed in a row down the center of the Street. As you strolled through the Street, you would be mesmerized by the variety and adeptness of the Street’s artisans. Even now, the memories of the Street’s artisans come alive - the glass blower manipulating his melted ware; the tanner leather tooling one of his many handbags; and, Cruz Ledesma, the Artistic Black Smith, pounding his ironworks with his hammer. Children could hear the sounds of his rhythmic hammering from afar and cheered with excitement, "It's the Blacksmith! It's him. Let's go see him!” Farther down the Street, a palm reader and a character artist complemented each other side by side as they drew small crowds to each of their performances. Fashioners of paper-flower bouquets and Indian dancers also aroused curiosity and attention. The Street that started as a one-block long alley now pulsed with excitement; and, the beat of the many artisans’ tools inspired all to imagine what life might be like in a small Mexican village.
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