This street was originally called Magnolia Avenue. It was changed to Marengo in 1897, presumably to avoid postal delivery conflicts with L.A.’s other Magnolia Avenue (the one near Hoover). The new name was likely borrowed from Marengo Avenue in South Pasadena (which was named for an old ranch there – see its entry for more); I’m guessing some civil engineer with the City thought “Marengo” was close enough to “Magnolia” that residents would be minimally annoyed by the change.
Find it on the map:
