1890, Buena Vista Reservoir Ditch

The main supply ditch that supplied the Buena Vista Reservoir, about 1890.

1876, Buena Vista Reservoir

Buena Vista Reservoir in Elysian Park in 1876, built by the privately-owned L.A. Water Co. This was the company's first water storage facility. Photo shows reservoir seen from the hills, looking east from present-day location of the Pasadena Freeway.

1895, Wild Undergrowth

1895. Wild undergrowth in Elysian Park A dirt road winds around the park and a horse-drawn buggy is visible on one of the curves. The back of the photoprint reads "Sage and wild undergrowths".

1895, A Mission Road

Photograph of cactus and scrub oak along a mission road to San Fernando from Riverside, Elysian Park, ca.1895. The hills are identified as being along the Los Angeles River.

1899, Hillside & Farmland

Elysian Park and adjacent farmland, showing an open water irrigation ditch (Zanja) for an early water system, ca.1899. Scrub oak forests the side of the hill.

1900, N. Broadway Entrance

ca.1900. North Broadway entrance to Elysian Park. Elysian Park, hillside and an electric car approaching. Visible in the background are the Buena Vista Street bridge (now North Broadway Street Bridge).

1905, Natural Bridge

ca.1905. Natural Bridge in the north side of Elysian Park.

1915, Barlow Sanatorium

1915.The Barlow Sanatorium in its early days. The Barlow Sanatorium was founded in 1902 for the treatment of tuberculosis patients. The Administration building, donated by Mrs. W. Jarvis Barlow, was one of the first four structures that constituted the newly opened Barlow Sanatorium. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Solano contributed a 13-room permanent cottage; designed to become Barlow's future infirmary for the more advanced cases. In 1902 Dr. Barlow founded The Barlow Sanatorium to care for the indigent tuberculosis of Los Angeles county; those who have been residents of the county for one year and who are in no condition for active work. He and his wife had spent many days driving around the Los Angeles area in their horse-drawn carriage until they discovered what looked like the ideal location. It was 25 acres of untouched meadowland set among the rolling hills next to the city-owned Elysian Park on Chavez Ravine Road. The site turned out to be more ideal for the purpose than was initially apparent. The configuration of the hills in the area is such that clean air always sweeps across Barlow's land, even when Los Angeles itself is plagued with smog - a fortunate climatic quirk that met the fresh air needs of the patients. Dr. Barlow purchased the 25 acres from J.B. Lankershim for $7,300. He convinced Lankershim to donate back $1,000 of the purchase price, received $1,300 from Alfred Solano.

1923, Elysian Park Map

1923. Map of the area around Elysian Park, including the neighborhoods of Chavez Ravine, Solano Canyon and the site of the Los Angeles State Historic Park.

1939, Barlow Sanitorium

1939. Barlow Sanitorium (now, Barlow Hospital) on Stadium Way in Elysian Park, Los Angeles.

1939, Barlow Sanitorium

Barlow Sanitorium (now, Barlow Hospital) on Stadium Way in Elysian Park, Los Angeles.

1939, Barlow Sanitorium

Barlow Sanitorium (now, Barlow Hospital) on Stadium Way in Elysian Park, Los Angeles.

1939, Barlow Sanitorium

Barlow Sanitorium (now, Barlow Hospital) on Stadium Way in Elysian Park, Los Angeles.

1916, Hillside & Farms

Drawing of a view from an Elysian Park hillside.

1958, Grass Fire

1 July 1958. Grass fire in Elysian Park near No. Fig St. Tunnel grass fire"

1967, Clean Up

1967. Volunteers help clean Elysian Park by picking up trash and debris.

1971, Riot at Rock Festival

1971. Youths in custody following a riot at a rock festival held at Elysian Park, and attended by 5000 young people.

1978, New Jogging Course

1978. Mayor Tom Bradley (left), Lou Zamperini, a 1939 Olympic team member, and decathlete Fred Dixon get set to test the new jogging course in Elysian Park. The parcourse is open to the public at no charge.

Buena Vista Reservoir

View of Buena Vista Reservoir looking northeast.

Dr. Barlow

Alfred Solano's step-son-in-law, business partner and esteemed friend Dr. W. Jarvis Barlow purchased the 25 acres of land from J. B. Lankershim for $7,300. He convinced Lankershim to donate back $1,000 of the purchase price, received $1,300 from Alfred Solano, who with his wife (Marion Barlow's remarried mother) would become legendary supporters of Barlow Sanitorium in Elysian Park, and chipped in the balance of $5,000 himself.

Water Pumping Plant

New Buena Vista Water Pumping Plant in Elysian Park.