The Avenida Reforma was originally known as Boulevard 30 de Junio (June 30th), to commemorate the victory of the liberal forces of Miguel García Granados and Justo Rufino Barrios.

[2] President Reina Barrios had wanted to showcase Guatemala's economic boom for the 1897 Central American Expo; drawing inspiration from the Champs Elysées in Paris, he commissioned several sculptures and fountains from foreign artists.

He also commissioned the Palacio de la Reforma, a French style palace that was located at the southern end of the boulevard and served as a museum.

[2] Due to the aforementioned earthquakes, nowadays very few of the original buildings along the avenue remain; among them, the Escuela Politécnica (Guatemala's military academy) and a few Mission-style houses.

[3] Other notable monuments are the Monumento a la Madre, which honors motherhood; the Star of David, located in the Israel Plaza; and several statues of animals such as lions, bulls, and wild boars.