Estrada Courts

Estrada Courts is a low-income housing project in the Boyle Heights area of East Los Angeles, California, located in the vicinity of 3200 and 3300 Olympic Boulevard, near Lorena Street.

History and Construction

Estrada Courts was constructed in 1942-1943, during the World War II housing shortage in Southern California, which resulted from the war-time boom in war-industry work, followed by the return of servicemen to the region and the Bracero program.

Estrada Courts is owned by the City of Los Angeles and operated by the Housing Authority of City of Los Angeles.

Varrio Nuevo Estrada

Varrio Nuevo Estrada, or "VNE(13)" is a Chicano gang from Los Angeles, California. "VNE(13)" resides in the Estrada Courts projects located in the southern area of Boyle Heights. "VNE(13)", who swear allegiance to the Surenos, is over 60 years old with more than 800 members. The most infamous being Ernie"Chuco"Castro, also a member of the Mexican Mafia, who in 1995 truned informant.In late 2004 "VNE(13)" was served with a gang injunction prohibiting members from congregating.Also, one of the Estrada Court Murals is in memory of a VNE member. [1]

Estrada Courts Murals

Estrada Courts is well-known for its murals, which reflect the Chicano barrio culture and traditions of the area.

The murals include:

• Mural of children, artist unknown
• Two Flags by Sonny Ramirez, 1973. location 1364-6 Grande Vista Ave at Olympic.
• In Memory of a Home Boy by Daniel Martinez 1973. location 3328 Hunter St. [2]
• Dreams of Flight by David Botello 1973-78, repainted in 1996, location 3441 Olympic Boulevard
• The Sun Bathers by Gil Hernandez, 1973. located at 3287 Olympic Boulevard
• The Artist by Daniel Haro 1973. location 3237 Olympic Boulevard. [3]
• Moratorium - The Black and White Mural by Willie Herron and Gronk 1973 location 3221 Olympic Boulevard. [4]
• We Are Not a Minority, El Congreso de Artistas Cosmicos de las Americas de San Diego (Mario Torero, Rocky, El Lion, Zade), 1978 (repainted in 1996) location 3217 Olympic Boulevard. [5]

External links

• The Murals of Estrada Courts Los Angeles Murals Website
• Easterling, Stewart An Art Museum on the Streets of L.A. Socialist Worker Online (September 14, 2001)
• Getty Museum Priorities in Conserving Community Murals .pdf
• East L.A. Public Housing Tour .pdf
• Pomona College Experience the Mural of East Los Angeles
• Japanese National Museum Boyle Heights Project