Since the beginning of L.A.'s Spanish period in 1781, 75 different people served as the city's chief administrative official or mayor.
California Primary Election
June 2, 2026
Photo by Dave Gatley, from the Security National Bank Collection at Los Angeles Public Library.
June 27, 1887. This image was taken by photographer Edwin H. Hushe from a hot air balloon at about 9,000 feet above Los Angeles. It looks eastward and is believed to be the earliest known aerial image of Los Angeles. The unchannelled Los Angeles River is prominently featured. Then, the city barely had a population of 50,000 (about the size of today's city of Covina - now close to 4 million). Note the small, circular, wheel-like feature, center left in the image. That is the Los Angeles Plaza, now part of El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument (including Olvera Street). Also note the farmland closely surrounding the city.
Angelenos generally know of Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles County. Yet we also have a second island. These two islands are further part of a larger group of islands off Southern California.
