SOUTH PASADENA – Joey Hamilton, a lifelong resident of the Los Angeles neighborhood of El Sereno, recalls residents being able to freely cross into South Pasadena — until a road sign was put up in the mid-1970s, reading “road closes at South Pasadena.”
This road closure, according to Hamilton, affected the residents of this adjacent, predominantly Latino and working-class neighborhood of El Sereno.
“We used to pedal our bikes, ride our skateboards over that way [as kids],” he said. “With the barrier right there, we felt that we weren’t allowed to do any of that stuff anymore.”
After more than half a century, the sign located at 5000 Wadena Street was taken down on the morning of July 29.
The removal of the sign was overseen by the L.A. District 14 City Councilmember Kevin de León, the city’s transportation department and community members.
According to de León’s communication director, Peter Brown, the sign symbolized a historical divide between two communities and its removal marks a significant step towards breaking down barriers and building bridges.
De León said the sign left many El Sereno residents with “bitter memories.”
“There was always a sentiment that the authorities of South Pasadena did not want folks from the neighboring cities of Los Angeles and neighborhood of El Sereno to go into South Pasadena,” he said.
De León said that residents explained that the sign felt like a border .
According to Hamilton, when he was younger he and other residents felt “unwanted” in South Pasadena.
“I grew up feeling that we weren’t welcome there,” said Hamilton.
De León said that the sign is not a reflection of South Pasadena today but reminded residents of “messages of the past.”
Both the mayor and acting deputy city manager of South Pasadena declined to comment on the sign or its removal.
“It was important to take down the messages of the past and start building bridges, start creating unity between a wonderful neighborhood like El Sereno, and a great city like South Pasadena,” he said.
Hamilton shared that he is happy now that the sign has been removed.
“It truly does make me feel good,” he said. “Because I can sit back and tell my grandkids that there is no such thing as racism. It shows that we are accepted over there and in that community.”
Hamilton said that he hopes the removal will bring understanding between the communities, along with new steps in the bridge for a new generation of South Pasadena and El Sereno residents.
“We are one, we are going to come together,” he said. “Opening up that road is going to open up a whole lot.”
De León said that this removal is the beginning of unity for the communities.
“Regardless of differences, I believe we have much more in common, and we can bridge that unity and have our communities come together for the well being of both El Sereno and South Pasadena,” he said.
