In 1769, Gaspar de Portola and Father Juan Crespi camped on the river bank opposite Buena Vista Hill, as shown by California Registered Historical landmark Number 655 (1958) at the North Broadway Bridge entrance to Elysian Park Indian villagers from Yang-Na and the creeks of Solano Canyon and the Police Academy draw, greeted the Spaniards with native refreshments.  
   
 In 1781, the Pueblo of Los Angeles was officially established by Spanish California Governor Felipe de Neve with the Royal Grant of 4 square Spanish leagues (translated into 28 square miles or about 17,000 acres) of Pueblo Lands. Of this public land grant, the approximately 575-acre Elysian Park is the last remaining large piece. All else has been auctioned off or given away. Los Angeles even had to buy back the site of the present City Hall.   (more…)