In 1781, a group of forty-four settlers known as "Los Pobladores" founded a pueblo they named El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles.

More than half of the settlers were mestizos or mulattoes of African, Amerindian, or European descent. This settlement remained unchanged until 1820 when the population grew to approximately 650 people. Currently, the pueblo is located within the Los Angeles Pueblo Plaza Historic District and on Olvera Street, in the oldest part of the city.