This LA road sign once symbolized a divide between two communities. Now it’s gone. – Daily News

SOUTH PASADENA – Joey Hamilton, a lifelong resident of Los Angeles’ El Sereno neighborhood, remembers when residents could freely cross the border into South Pasadena until a road sign was erected in the mid-1970s that read “Road Closed at South Pasadena.”

According to Hamilton, the road closure affected residents of the adjacent El Sereno neighborhood, which is predominantly Latino and working class.

“We used to ride our bikes and skateboards down that road (as kids),” he said. “With the barrier there, we felt like we weren’t allowed to do that kind of thing anymore.”

After more than half a century, the sign at 5000 Wadena Street was removed on the morning of July 29.

The sign’s removal was overseen by Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León, the city’s Department of Transportation and community members.

According to District 14 in Los Angeles, the sign symbolized a historic divide between two communities. By removing the sign, we are taking an important step toward breaking down barriers and building bridges.

De León said the sign left “bitter memories” for many El Sereno residents.

“There was always a sense that the South Pasadena authorities didn’t want people from neighboring cities of Los Angeles and the El Sereno neighborhood to go to South Pasadena,” he said.

According to De León, residents indicated that the sign felt like a boundary.

According to Hamilton, he and other residents felt “unwanted” in South Pasadena as young people.

“I grew up feeling like we weren’t welcome there,” Hamilton said.

De León said the sign is not a reflection of South Pasadena today, but rather reminds residents of “messages from the past.”

Both the mayor and the acting deputy city manager of South Pasadena declined to comment on the sign or its removal.

“It was important to remove the messages of the past and build bridges, to create unity between a beautiful neighborhood like El Sereno and a great city like South Pasadena,” he said.

Hamilton said he was pleased the sign had been removed.

“It makes me feel really good,” he said. “Because I can sit back and tell my grandchildren that racism doesn’t exist. It shows that we are accepted there and in that community.”

Hamilton said he hopes the removal will lead to greater understanding between the communities and build a bridge for a new generation of residents in South Pasadena and El Sereno.

“We are one, we are going to come together,” he said. “Opening that path is going to open up a lot.”

De León said this removal is the beginning of unity for the communities.

“Regardless of our differences, I believe we have much more in common, and we can bridge that unity and bring our communities together for the good of both El Sereno and South Pasadena,” he said.