Marifrances Trivelli was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. Trivelli was born in Annapolis, Maryland, and serves as a key figure in preserving and sharing the history of the Port of Los Angeles. The interview covers a wide range of historical topics related to the Port, beginning with its pre-colonial period when Native American communities engaged in trade along the shallow waters. Trivelli recounts early European explorations, starting with Juan Cabrillo's 1542 survey, where he named the area Bahia de los Fumos due to the smoke he observed. The interview moves on to the Spanish colonial period, including the establishment of ranchos by the Sepulveda and Dominguez families, and the development of early trade practices involving cattle hides. Trivelli discusses Richard Henry Dana’s visit in 1835 and his unfavorable impression of San Pedro, as well as the significant contributions of Phineas Banning in the mid-19th century, who played a pivotal role in transforming the Port into a center for commerce and transportation. The conversation also covers the "free harbor fight" of the late 19th century, in which San Pedro was chosen over Santa Monica as the location for the Port, a decision that shaped its future growth. Trivelli details the physical transformation of the Port, including dredging operations and the construction of the federal breakwater, which made the harbor more accessible to large ships. The interview highlights key events, such as the visit of the Great White Fleet in 1908 and the establishment of the Pacific Fleet in San Pedro in 1919. In the later sections, Trivelli discusses the multi-ethnic composition of the San Pedro community, the impact of World War II on the Port, and the post-war shift toward containerization and globalization, which reshaped the Port's economic base. The interview concludes with reflections on the historical and national significance of the Port of Los Angeles as a hub of international trade and a reflection of broader American technological and economic trends in the 20th century.