If you live in Inglewood, California, you know that it's a city full of elegant homes and lawns. For visitors who want to relocate to this mostly warm and comfortable and friendly community, you will not have trouble finding attractive properties. Here are some essential facts to know about Inglewood.
History of Inglewood
The story of how Inglewood transformed from a nineteenth-century Mexican settlement to a modern city in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area traces back to a settlement called Cantilena Ranch. In 1887 a train station identified as Centinela Ranch appeared on a Southern California route, forming the start of a town.
The land was purchased by Daniel Freeman, who migrated from Canada to Cantilena Ranch, where he earned a fortune growing and selling barley. Freeman devoted part of his land to build the city of Inglewood in 1888, covering 25,000 acres.
Inglewood incorporated as a city in 1908 with a rapidly growing population of 1,200. The damage to the city from a 1920 earthquake attracted visitors from around the nation. Many of these travelers decided to stay after enjoying the warm weather, leading to Inglewood becoming the fastest growing city in the United States for the first half of the 1920s. Inglewood gained the nickname "City of Champions" in 1932 with the Olympics Marathon Race, as three award winners came from Inglewood High School.
Starting in World War II, Inglewood grew from an agricultural community to an industrial hub for defense industry jobs. In the late sixties, the Forum was constructed and became the home of the Los Angeles Lakers for many years. The venue is still used for concerts with a capacity of 17,500. The venue is used for concerts and other entertainment events, as well as tennis matches, sports programs, and cultural classes.
The early 1970s marked the beginning of a skyline of high-rise buildings as part of the city's new profile. Following the completion of the Civic Center with City Hall as Inglewood's first high-rise structure in 1973, a wave of more modern architecture began to shape the city's backdrop. The city's freeways are regularly jammed with traffic due to travelers commuting to and from LAX. Approaching the 2020 Census, the city has a population of over 110,000.
Inglewood Parks and Landmarks
Thirteen historic landmarks or unique points of interest can currently be found in Inglewood, which also has one public swimming pool. Five of these landmarks are parks, while a lake covers five acres and thirty acres are devoted to open space. Since about a quarter of the population is under the age of 18, the community is oriented toward family activities. It's also populated more with renters than homeowners, who comprise a little over a third of residential occupancy.
Since Inglewood is less than ten minutes from the coast and many of its residents enjoy the beach, tourism helps fuel the city's economy. It's a walkable city with long bike paths. The culture is among the most forward-thinking in the state with an appreciation for the environment. Tourists who want to go on charter rides have several services to choose from. For the most part, Inglewood is a crowded urban area that could use more greenery, which can be achieved with more lawns instead of concrete.
Many movie stars have come and gone through the neighborhood, which is why Inglewood Park Cemetery has become the final resting place for countless film and music stars. These celebrities include Betty Grable, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Preston, and Frances Bergen.
Other Tourist Attractions
One of the most prominent landmarks in Inglewood will be Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park when it opens in 2020 to become the home for the Rams and the Chargers. Two years later the stadium will be the site for Super Bowl LVI then the 2028 Summer Olympics. Although the city is not known for many other major landmarks, it's been the birthplace of several movie stars and athletes. Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson, for example, was born in Inglewood.
Early Inglewood history can be explored at sites such as Centinela Springs and Centinela Adobe. Inglewood covers nine square miles and a 3-mile freeway stretch. There are plenty of hotels for travelers to choose from and it's a convenient getaway from bigger city life.
One of the main reasons for Inglewood's expansion into a city is its near year-round warm weather. Residents who aspire to blend in with the green scenery can learn more by visiting Lawn Love. Lawn Love is proud to be helping transform Inglewood into a more eye-catching green city.
