Los Angeles Pigeon Farm, overlooking the Los Angeles River and surrounded by fields. Hundreds of pigeons perched on top of two of the cotes. The Farm was established in 1898 and located alongside the Los Angeles River and across from Elysian Park. It benefited from its proximity to the railroad tracks, as the free-flying pigeons could scavenge grain dropped from passing railroad cars. In 1914, heavy rains caused the Los Angeles river to flood, and much of the farm was washed away. Many of the estimated 500,000 birds were killed as a result of the damage.