Welcome to L.A. Street Names, the origin stories of street names across Los Angeles County, from the shortest cul-de-sacs to the longest boulevards. Mysteries solved, myths debunked, scandals exposed, history revealed. This is an ongoing project with more than 1,700 streets – and growing. See FAQ for more information.
Featured Major Street
La Tijera Boulevard
In today’s Spanish lesson, la tijera means “the scissors” – not “the scissor”. The plural las tijeras is more commonly used today, but we’re talking about the Spanish of yesteryear here. La Tijera Boulevard is on the site of the 4,219 acre Rancho Ciénega o Paso de la Tijera – “Marshland Ranch or Scissors Pass”. Deeded in 1843 to Los Angeles alcalde (mayor) Vicente Sánchez (1785-1846), then managed by his widow María Victoria (1787-1870) and grandson Tomás after his death, the rancho’s untidy name came from its two defining features: acres of marshland (ciénega) and a pass, apparently resembling a pair of scissors, through today’s Baldwin Hills. “Baldwin”, by the way, refers to Elias “Lucky” Baldwin, the millionaire speculator who purchased the rancho in 1875. See Baldwin Ave. for a lot more about him.