Avila Adobe, a single-story house built in 1818 within El Pueblo de Los Angeles, is the oldest house in the city of Los Angeles Photo by Shannon Bell

The Los Angeles Plaza Historic District contains the site of the original pueblo of Los Angeles established in 1781. Founded by Spanish colonizers, under the name El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles (The Pueblo of the Queen of the Angels) the pueblo was not part of a mission and is one of two pueblos in California to survive to the present day. The plaza area was the center of Los Angeles' community throughout the 19th century. Many significant buildings in the district surround the historic Plaza, including the Plaza church (Nuestra Señora La Reina de Los Angeles) constructed in 1822, the Avile Adobe, Los Angeles' oldest residence (1818), the Italianate style Masonic Hall (1858), and the Italian Renaissance Revival style Merced Theater (1869).

The Los Angeles Plaza Historic District is roughly bounded by Spring, Macy, Alameda and Arcadia sts. in Los Angeles. The El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument is located at 125 Paseo de la Plaza. Las Angelitas, El Pueblo's docent organization, provides free tours Tuesday- Saturday at 10:00am, 11:00am and 12:00pm. For more information, visit the district's website or call the visitor's center at 213-628-1274.