Eagle Rock is a neighborhood in northeastern Los Angeles that derives its name from a massive boulder (seen here) at the district's northern edge. In this photo looking east toward Pasadena, the outline of a flying eagle is clearly shown on the face of a massive boulder that locals call "The Rock". Created from local hot springs millions of years ago, this impressive rock looms above the valley below, creating an eagle-shaped shadow every day around noon. In the mid to late 1770s, Native Americans inhabited the caves at the base of The Rock, formerly known as La Piedra Gorda (which translates to "Fat Rock"). 100 years later, in 1874, desperadoes used these same caves, including the infamous bandit Tiburcio Vasquez, who was said to have used The Rock as a hideout and to store his loot. In 1906 Eagle Rock Valley, as it was known then, became an independent city and was incorporated in 1911 with a population of approximately 600; in 1914 it also became home to Occidental College, designed by famed architect Myron Hunt. In 1962 this Eagle Rock landmark was appraised at $250,000 and on November 16th of that same year, The Rock was declared Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #10, but it did not actually belong to the community until 1995 when the city of Los Angeles officially purchased it for close to $700,000. Today, the community of Eagle Rock with its famous landmark is home to approximately 27,875 people.
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