Silver Lake, Los Angeles, California

Silver Lake is a Los Angeles neighborhood east of Hollywood. Inhabited by a wide variety of ethnicities and socioeconomic groups, it is best known as a major center of the gay community in Los Angeles. Since the 1990s it has become the center of the alternative rock scene in Los Angeles. The Sunset Junction Street Fair, a major event in August, is held there.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles - Hollywood - 1990s - Sunset Junction Street Fair

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Originally named "Ivanhoe" and later "Edendale," the neighborhood was named after the man-made reservoir which lies at its center. "Silver Lake" was named not in reference to a color but after Herman Silver, a member of Los Angeles? first Board of Water Commissioners. The reservoir is operated by the City of Los Angeles' Department of Water and Power and its water actually serves communities in South Los Angeles.

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It is quite large, and has a fair share of businesses but is better known for its peaceful residential areas. It is very varied in ethnicities and subcultures.

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As of the census of 2000, there are 44,351 people in the neighborhood. The racial makeup of the neighborhood is 40.53% White (21.24% non-Latino white), 2.74% African American, 1.10% Native American, 16.58% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 33.25% from other races, and 5.65% from two or more races. 57.35% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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Silver Lake is bordered by Elysian Heights to the east, Echo Park to the southeast, Atwater Village to the north, Historic Filipinotown to the south and East Hollywood and Los Feliz to the west.

Related Topics:
Elysian Heights - Echo Park - Atwater Village - Historic Filipinotown - East Hollywood - Los Feliz

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• Spaceland - underground rock venue
• Silverlake Lounge
• Friends of Silver Lake - community organization
• Silver Lake Neighborhood Council
• Silver Lake Gang War