Shades of L.A. is an archive of photographs representing the contemporary and historic diversity of families in Los Angeles. Images were chosen from family albums and include daily life, social organizations, work, personal and holiday celebrations, and migration and immigration activities. Made possible and accessible through the generous support of the Security Pacific National Bank, Sunlaw Cogeneration Partners, Photo Friends, California Council for the Humanities, the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation
Images available for reproduction and educational use. Please see the Ordering & Use page at http://tessa.lapl.org/orderinguse.html for additional information. The contents of this collection are restricted to personal, research, and non-commercial use. The Library cannot share the personal and/or contact information of the donors, their descendants, or associates who contributed photographs and oral histories to the collection.
Description
Image is a reproduction. Pete Rodriguez was born in Sonora, Mexico in 1919, and came to Los Angeles in 1923. His family moved to California as political refugees due to his father’s involvement in the 1910 Mexican Revolution. His family lived in “Sonoratown” near Macy and Olvera Streets before later moving to Boyle Heights. In 1925 his family moved to Catalina to join his uncles, who were some of the many Mexican laborers who built Avalon Bay. His father returned to Mexico to participate in the Partido Liberal Nacional (National Liberal Party) and Pete moved with his family to Orange County, then later returned to Boyle Heights in 1931. He attended Stevenson Junior High and Roosevelt High School, from which he graduated in 1937. His mother worked long hours as a seamstress to provide for her family during the Depression. Pete enlisted in the Army in 1943 as a paratrooper, but due to a bad knee was placed in limited service and left after 12 weeks. He worked as a lumberjack until 1946, when he returned to Los Angeles. He met and married his wife, with whom he had three children, in 1947. He began working in radio in 1949. He and his brother, Eddie, worked for KPMO and KFVD and hosted a show called “Buenos Días.” They later began to produce television shows and movies, such as “Fandango” on CBS and the Academy-Award nominated “The Cadillac.” In the 1960s Pete joined a group called Justicia, which advocated for justice for Chicanos in the film industry. Pete was hired at ABC through his involvement with Justicia. He worked as the Community Affairs director and was involved with any issues regarding Mexican or Chicano people at ABC. Actor Gilbert Roland is flanked by Sergeant Joseph C. Rodriguez (left), who received a Congressional Medal of Honor in 1951, and Eddie Rodriguez at the Million Dollar Theater in Los Angeles.
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;20 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Roland, Gilbert,--1905-1994 Rodriguez, Eddie Million Dollar Theater (Los Angeles, Calif.) Soldiers--United States Motion picture actors and actresses--United States Radio broadcasters--United States Television producers and directors--United States Motion picture theaters--California--Los Angeles Radio stations--California--Los Angeles--Employees Television stations--California--Los Angeles--Employees Downtown Los Angeles (Los Angeles, Calif.) Shades of L.A. Collection photographs Shades of L.A. Mexican American photographs Group portraits
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