![]() ![]() Longstanding resentment by Los Angeles’ working-class black community over discriminatory treatment by police and inadequate public services, (especially schools and hospitals), exploded on Auginto what were commonly known as the Watts Riots. As industrial jobs disappeared from the area, the projects housed more poor families than they had initially. By the early 1960′s, these projects had become nearly 100 percent black, as whites moved on to new suburbs outside the central city. During World War II, the city built several large housing projects (including Nickerson Gardens, Jordan Downs and Imperial Courts) for the thousands of new workers in war industries. Watts did not become predominantly black until the 1940′s, as the second Great Migration brought tens of thousands of migrants from Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas who left segregated states in search of better opportunities in California. Schoolroom photos from 19 show only two or three black faces among the 30 or so children pictured. Blacks came in later and many of the men were Pullman car porters and other railroad workers. The city voted to annex itself to Los Angeles in 1926.Īlong with more Caucasian Americans, Mexican and Mexican American railroad workers (“traqueros”) settled in the community. The arrival of the railroad spurred the development of the area and in 1907 Watts was incorporated as a separate city named after the first railroad station built in the town, Watts Station. In those days each Tajuata farm had an artesian well. With the influx of white Americans into Southern California in the 1870′s, La Tajuata land was sold off and subdivided for smaller farms and homes. As on all ranchos, the principle vocation was livestock grazing and beef production. This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.The area now known as Watts began its modern history after the arrival of Spanish-Mexican settlers, as part of the Rancho La Tajuata, which received its land grant in 1820. A notable local attraction is Watts Towers (now a state historic park and a national historic landmark), a group of 17 bricolage spires constructed from 1921 to 1954 by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia from broken tiles, dishes, rocks, bottles, and seashells the tallest of the towers rises to nearly 100 feet (30 metres). Disorder again marred the district in 1992 when rioting, looting, and arson consumed much of Watts and neighbouring Compton following the acquittal of four white police officers in the beating of African American Rodney King. Before order was restored, 34 people had been killed, nearly 4,000 arrested, and more than 1,000 injured, and hundreds of buildings had been destroyed. Angered by long-standing social injustices, thousands of African Americans rioted, burned stores, and pillaged the area. ![]() The Watts district gained widespread notoriety on August 11–16, 1965, as the scene of racial disturbances. ![]() Watts, a Pasadena realtor who owned a ranch there. The district, originally called Mud Town, was renamed in 1900 for C.H. Watts, southwestern district of Los Angeles, California, U.S. SpaceNext50 Britannica presents SpaceNext50, From the race to the Moon to space stewardship, we explore a wide range of subjects that feed our curiosity about space!.Learn about the major environmental problems facing our planet and what can be done about them! Saving Earth Britannica Presents Earth’s To-Do List for the 21st Century.Britannica Beyond We’ve created a new place where questions are at the center of learning.100 Women Britannica celebrates the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment, highlighting suffragists and history-making politicians.COVID-19 Portal While this global health crisis continues to evolve, it can be useful to look to past pandemics to better understand how to respond today.Student Portal Britannica is the ultimate student resource for key school subjects like history, government, literature, and more.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.#WTFact Videos In #WTFact Britannica shares some of the most bizarre facts we can find.Demystified Videos In Demystified, Britannica has all the answers to your burning questions.Britannica Explains In these videos, Britannica explains a variety of topics and answers frequently asked questions.Britannica Classics Check out these retro videos from Encyclopedia Britannica’s archives. ![]()
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