On your right is the Ávila Adobe, built around 1818 and considered the oldest surviving residence in Los Angeles. It was constructed by Francisco José Ávila, who was then the alcalde, or mayor, of the city, and offers a window into daily life when the region was still part of the Spanish and later Mexican world. Made of adobe with particularly thick walls, the house was perfectly suited to the local climate and resources, reflecting early nineteenth-century California domestic architecture. The building has witnessed several key moments in history: in 1847, during the war between Mexico and the United States, it was briefly used as headquarters by American forces, marking a political shift in the region. By the early twentieth century, the Ávila Adobe faced demolition, but its rescue in the 20s sparked the revival of Olvera Street. Once restored and protected, it became a key part of preserving the neighborhood’s history. Today, the Ávila Adobe operates as a house museum, with its interior recreated to show life in the mid-1800s, providing a rare, tangible glimpse into the city’s earliest history and first homes.