CELEBRATING ITS HISTORY, PORT OF LOS ANGELES FEATURES MORE THAN 100 ORAL HISTORY VIDEOS ON ITS WEBSITE
SAN PEDRO, Calif. — December 27, 2007 — Everyone has a story to tell. Long before the Port of Los Angeles was founded on December 9, 1907, storytellers throughout Los Angeles Harbor have passed down stories from generation to generation, encapsulating a century of waterfront evolution and regional economic growth facilitated by the Port of Los Angeles. As part of its Centennial year, the Port has made some of the more recent recollections taped through interviews now available to an online generation via the Port of Los Angeles website.
To help commemorate the Port of Los Angeles centennial anniversary in December 2007, more than 100 people were interviewed, showing their fondest and most poignant recollections about different eras in Port of Los Angeles history. Featured on the website in one-, two- and three-minute excerpts, the videotaped segments are a sampling of the interviews that took place during 2007.
This unique, never-seen-before footage includes historical narratives by a variety of people, who embody the face of the local community: immigrants, fishermen, longshoremen — both male and female — politicians, artists and former Port employees. This living history underscores the importance of the Port and the significant impact of those who helped make the Port of Los Angeles a world-class port.
Watch and listen as Mary DiCarlo Thomas discusses her grandparents' signature San Pedro DiCarlo bakery; Father Art Bartlett recalls his early involvement with the local seafarers church; artist Violet Parkhurst recalls the grand opening of Ports O' Call Village; George de la Torre talks about how Juanita's Foods has made Wilmington the Menudo Capital of the World; and former Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores debates the correct pronunciation of San Pedro.
View the oral history presentations on the Port's website at portoflosangeles.org. Log on today to experience the Port of Los Angeles yesteryear.
Celebrating its Centennial in 2007, the Port of Los Angeles is America's premier port. As the leading seaport in the nation in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. At the Port of Los Angeles, high priority is placed on responsible and sustainable growth initiatives, combined with high security, environmental stewardship and community outreach. For its industry leading environmental initiatives, the Port received two Environmental Protection Agency awards in 2006. The Port of Los Angeles - A cleaner port. A brighter future.