Avenue of the Athletes

Avenue of the Athletes is a Walk of Fame that consists of thirty-two sidewalk-embedded brass plaques, each featuring an athlete's name and a symbol related to their sport. Many of the honorees are Olympians The Walk is located in Echo Park, on Sunset Boulevard between Mohawk Street and Laveta Terrace. ==History==

Local business owner, professor, and Los Angeles Dodgers and Tournament of Roses photographer L. Andrew Castle started Avenue of the Athletes in the 1970s in an attempt to bring tourists to Echo Park. The city, Dodgers, Echo Park Chamber of Commerce, and neighboring businesses all backed the endeavor, which was inspired by the nearby Hollywood Walk of Fame. The location for Avenue of the Athletes was declared in 1974 and Castle inducted two classes, one in 1976 and the other in 1977. Castle died the following year, and after his death, the Avenue was not updated again until 1985, when four plaques were added, one of which was for Castle himself. No plaques have been added since. ==Honorees==

Avenue of the Athletes honorees include: Aquatics • Sammy Lee • Pat McCormick • John Naber Baseball • Sandy Koufax • Tommy Lasorda • Jackie Robinson • Babe Ruth Basketball • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar • Elgin Baylor • Frank Lubin Boxing • Joe Louis • Jimmy McLarnin • Armando Muniz Tennis • Billie Jean King • Ellsworth Vines Track and field • Rafer Johnson • Jesse Owens • Bob Seagren • Wyomia Tyus Other • Andrew Castle (sports photographer and creator of the Avenue) • Kenny Washington (gridiron football) ==See also==