SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – More than 50 years ago a young photographer wandered into the hills of Los Angeles and discovered a hidden village, capturing the only images that proved such a place ever existed.

“LEGACY: Chávez Ravine and Other Works” will be on display at Cal State San Bernardino’s Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum from Oct. 4-Dec. 8. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held 5-7 p.m. Oct. 6 with a preview for Friends of the Museum at 4:30 p.m.

An 18-year-old Don Normark – inspired to become a photographer – was en route to finding the perfect “postcard” view of Los Angeles when he uncovered the village of La Loma in Chávez Ravine. Fascinated by this Mexican-American community, he snapped close to 100 documentary photographs.

Just a year after young Normark’s discovery, and without prior notice, the inhabitants of the Chávez Ravine community were evicted and the village demolished. The Normark photographs became the only visual evidence of the existence of La Loma and its people.

More than 35 years after the quaint village had been demolished, Normark revealed the since-forgotten story of the Chávez Ravine.

In1999, Normark published a book titled “Chávez Ravine, 1949, a Los Angeles Story.” More projects followed the book, including a play and a short film.

International Documentary Association the Best Short Documentary in 2003 and short-listed for the Best Documentary Short at the 2005 Academy Awards.

Normark created a legacy, beginning with the Chavez Ravine that continued in other works. He went on to photograph his childhood village in Sweden, Hoogdal, and other European cities.

Don Normark, Palo Verde neighborhood with Elysian Park beyond,
Chávez Ravine series, 1949
Photograph © 1997 by Don Normark.

Don Normark, Elinor Johnson, Chávez
Ravine series, 1949.
Photograph © 1997 by Don Normark

Don Normark, Unknown Boy, Chávez
Ravine series, 1949.
Photograph © 1997 by Don Normark