Whittier Boulevard

Frankie Firme, a disc jockey and Latino activist, talks about the history of the Chicano culture in the Sound of Music record store in East Los Angeles. The Sound of Music is the oldest record store on Whittier Boulevard, carrying many CDs representing the culture such as music by the Chicano rock band Thee Midniters.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Zambino Garcia serves corn on the cob along Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles. There is an effort under way to redevelop blighted areas of the historic boulevard.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A clothing store does business in one of three old theater buildings along Whittier Boulevard.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Sierra Uribe, 2, dines with her mother and grandparents at Chroni’s, a classic food stand on Whittier Boulevard.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Passers-by make their way past a vacant building at 18th Street and Whittier Boulevard in Montebello.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Carlos Sanchez adjusts the brakes in Dennison Cyclery on Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles. The shop has been in business since 1941.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

According to Frankie Fermie (in background), a disc jockey and Latino activist, the poster in the Sound of Music record store “is the standard every Latina wanted to look like” during the cruising days of Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)