West Coast ‘Statue of Liberty’
Bradley’s proposal to construct a symbolic monument to welcome immigrants to America’s western shore has merit. The Los Angels segment of the “Pacific Rim” grows in importance yearly as American sharpens its focus on the lands and peoples bordering the Pacific Ocean.
One appropriate subject to commemorate would be Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, our first historical visitor to California’s shores. Cabrillo’s good port, “Bahia de los Fumos,” at San Pedro Bay was named on Oct. 8, 1542. His subsequent discovery of the native Chumash Indian canoe society at the “Pueblo de las Canoas” at Malibu Lagoon State Beach on Oct. 10, 1542 commenced the historical ownership of Alta California.
Any monument selected should be relevant to the history of continental America’s western shore.
RONALD L. RINDGE
Agoura
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