Ensenada Market on Virgil avenue, 2009 
Smog Cutter on Virgil avenue, 2007 
Tax filing office on Virgil avenue, 2007 
Tienda de Segunda furniture on Virgil avenue, 2007 
Busy Bee on Virgil avenue, 2009 
La Raza Market on Virgil avenue, 2009 
Laundromat on Virgil avenue, 2009 
Pollos & Donuts on Virgil avenue, 2009 
Grande’s Mini Market on Melrose avenue, 2009 
Pizza Paul on Melrose avenue, 2009 
Pan American Book Company on Melrose avenue, 2009 
Hanmi Glass on Heliotrope avenue, 2009 
Eyetailor on Melrose avenue, 2009 
Bicycle Kitchen on Heliotrope drive, 2009 
Cafecito Organico on Heliotrope drive, 2011 
Psychic on Heliotrope drive, 2019 
Furniture on Heliotrope drive, 2007 
20 Bicycles on Heliotrope drive, 2009 
Point Dume Chinese food on Fountain avenue, 2009 
KCET building on Sunset boulevard, 2009 
Pioneer Chicken on Sunset boulevard, 2009 
Circuit City and Fruit Vendor on Sunset boulevard, 2007 
Circuit City on Sunset boulevard, 2009 
El Chavo restaurant on Sunset boulevard, 2009 
Uncle Jer’s on Sunset boulevard, 2009 
Blockbuster on Sunset boulevard, 2009 
Raffalo’s Pizza and more on Vermont avenue, 2009 
Irma’s Salon on Vermont avenue, 2009 
Asbarez Newspaper on Vermont avenue, 2009 
Pets & Fish on Vermont avenue, 2009 
Thai Massage and building for sale on Vermont avenue, 2009 
Kung Fu on Vermont avenue, 2009 
Los Burritos on Vermont avenue, 2009 
Cyber Cafe on Vermont avenue, 2009 
LAIC Express on Vermont avenue, 2011 
Daily Donuts and Clear Wireless on Santa Monica boulevard, 2011 
Suzy’s Meat Market on Santa Monica boulevard, 2009 
Betsy’s Market on Vermont avenue, 2009 
Campus Cinema Theater on Vermont avenue, 2009 
Amigo Mini Market on Vermont avenue, 2009 
Carnivale on Vermont avenue, 2009 
Jalapeños y Mas restaurant on Hoover street, 2007 
Fatima’s on Hoover street, 2007 
Uno Market on Hoover street, 2007 
Music Christ on Hoover street, 2007 
Cynthia’s Beauty Salon on Hoover street, 2009 
Lluvia Salon on Hoover street, 2009 
Remy Market on Hoover street, 2009 
Fujiya Market on Virgil avenue, 2009
If voting for elected officials every four years is supposed to teach Americans about their rights to choose in a democratic society, it’s only logical for them to pursue even more ways to “get involved” in the shaping of their society. But historically, in inner cities all across America, where Black and immigrant families have made their living and supported the growth of this country for centuries, when it’s come to transforming their homes, streets, and neighborhoods according to their own judgments and expertise, they’ve had little, if any choice in the matter.
Today an alternative to such an exclusionary process may be possible, but first the “old” has to be uncovered, if not recovered. So here’s how almost any city-goer with an internet connection can see the changes–or lack thereof–within their neighborhood over the last ten years in four easy steps:
I. On a laptop or home computer, go to Google Maps.
II. In the search bar, think of a familiar building or business and type in its address. For example, “Cafecito Organico,” which is at 534 North Hoover street.
III. Once the image is done loading, find the transparent “legend” that contains the address, which looks like this:
IV. Click on the tiny triangle pointing downward next to the “Street View” option. Select the year for a prior photo of the address in question. You can now see some of your favorite intersections or old businesses from as far back as 2007, which is when Google Maps first started photographing cities to develop the GPS system we use daily today.
How does the Virgil Village, or LACC area look? Learn even more about the transformation of this community at This Side of Hoover on Instagram.
J.T.