Zanja Madness!!! pt. 1

   Rumors of the underground tunnel buried deep beneath Los Angeles have gained some interesting theories throughout the years. From stories of supposed Lizard people that slither through the underground pathways to former prohibition smuggling dens and even some stories of old opium dens. Well with as much construction that takes place in Los Angeles at some point someone would have dug up more evidence which has not been the case. However, what has been dug up throughout the city is the Zanja Water system. The word Zanja (Zung Gah) is Spanish for earthen ditch, and it 1781 Spanish authorities ordered its construction. Traditionally an exposed dirt canal to divert water from the Los Angeles River for the early Pueblo, the Zanja experienced improvements after a series of floods in the mid-nineteenth century. Angelenos and the Tongva reinforced the open canals as  an extended brick covert system to protect the Zanja’s integrity. What is truly astonishing is that the water systems tunnel ways that are nearly 125 years old still run underneath the city today and new sections have been discovered as recently as March 2014.  This week the focus is on the original water system of Los Angeles this is the introduction to a series that will discuss what has replaced the system and how the Zanja shaped the modern aqueducts design.

   Yet, first let’s look at this marvelous creation by eighteenth century settlers. The Zanja though designed under Spanish Authorities had almost entirely been built by the indigenous Tongva. Not too much evidence suggests significant mistreatment, but the indigenous labor most likely was not voluntary. The Tongva relied on the Los Angeles River, or as the Spanish referred to it as el Rio Porciúncula. However, the problem with research of first contact is secular communities did not record events as often as missions. Therefore in regions like EL Pueblo de Los Angeles the documents that were recorded are in Spanish either in archives in Spain or in Mexico. On the other hand missions left their records on site independent of the Authority. Yet,  labor practices typically included the use of indigenous populations on the missions. On particular piece of evidence is a legal battle between the Pueblo and Mission San Gabriel. Spanish Authorities ruled the secular community had precedence over the mission for access to the river due to the reliance of the Zanja and the river. However, evidence of the social practices adapted by indigenous people after settling such as new ways to gather water through the Zanja describes an relatively peaceful relationship between the Tongva and Angelenos. The Zanja acted as the center of community interaction.

   When visiting El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Landmark one can see the remnants of the Los Angeles Water Exhibit and even a section of the underground water way. A very misleading aspect to the exhibit is the water pump at no point has there been evidence anyone ever pumped water for domestic use. Residnets either gathered water in toma’s, or large ceramic jugs that were stored and kept cool. Ox drawn carts with barrels could also be spotted around early el Pueblo distributing water for domestic purposes as well.  However, by the late nineteenth century pipe lines were used for domestic water and the increase in domestic water left the Zanja obsolete. The primary use of the Zanja had been to irrigate agricultural fields. Thousands of acres received water from the Zanja and water was dealt through the Zanjero, lead official in charge of maintenance and enforcement of the Zanja. What made the Zanjero one of the most important people in Los Angeles is not because he had receive a larger salary than the mayor, but that the Zanjero responsibility was to ensure the most vital resource to the community.

   Protecting the Zanja was no easy task. The Zanjero dealt daily with thieves, diggers, animals, and kids. The Zanja acted as community entertainment. People swam, washed cloths, cattle would wade, and fish resided in the Zanja along with some snakes. If that did not keep the Zanjero busy enough, the rainstorms that caused flooding and the constant expansion of the city meant new and better Zanja were needed urgently. The city tried to help by allowing private companies to bid on various improvement projects. Water in Los Angeles has never been an easy task. Many men have built their lives on southern California waters problem and many have even lost their lives to their goal. Though there have been thousand that have helped with improvement projects and other excruciating tasks trying to solve water problems in Los Angeles. There are few that have risked everything for the development of Los Angeles.

Images courtesy of Los Angeles Magazine and El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument