With a motto like "Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future," you have some sense of the prideful, unique city that Monterey Park is. Although it is undoubtedly rooted in its history, Monterey Park is also a very progressive city. Located in the greater Los Angeles region, it has grown since its inception from a small settlement to a larger city that is now home to more than 60,000 residents. Today, it is considered one of the top places to live in the LA-metro area for its strong economy, schools, and central location that is convenient to the rest of Los Angeles.
Monterey Park's Long History
Monterey Park is in the San Gabriel Valley. For more than 5,000 years, this area has been home to a variety of Native American settlers, namely the Tongva tribe. The Tongva tribe established homes and villages in the region. However, their population was hit hard with the arrival of European settlers in the late 1870s, who brought with them devastating diseases. The natives who survived were relegated to missions created by the settlers. In Monterey Park, one of the most prominent missions was the Rancho San Antonio.
Not long after the first settlers arrived, development quickly ensued. After the Civil War, a wealthy Italian immigrant named Alessandro Repetto purchased nearly 5,000 acres of land in the area. He built his home on the land and used the property heavily for farming. Another prominent landowner in the area was Richard Garvey. Garvey also purchased a large volume of land in the area. As a rider for the US Army, he had many opportunities to survey the region. This allowed him to scope out the site for a future dam that would supply a vital source of water to the region. Eventually, Garvey sold and subdivided some of his land, which included selling property to the city for construction of municipal resources.
Although the area was established in the 1800s, it was not officially incorporated until the early 1900s. In 1916, residents took action to give the city an official name, following the proposal of putting a large sewer line in the area. That year, the area went from being an unincorporated community to an official city. The initial area claimed in the city's territory was later re-arranged and subdivided to create separate districts. Among them was Montebello, which was a neighboring city. Around the time that Monterey Park became a city, its economy simultaneously became more structured. The city's economy was driven primarily by potatoes and other root vegetables. This led to the invention of potato chips, which were packaged and sold to increasingly broader areas. The area's fertile soils and mild climate helped spark the growth of an agriculture-based economy, and it also sparked the creation of many estates and gardens. Today, several of those beautifully preserved areas still draw visitors to the region.
Attractions in Monterey Park
Today, Monterey Park is known for its abundance of places to visit and things to see. Historical attractions, modern amenities, and various recreational areas are among them.
Monterey Park Historical Museum
This museum contains a variety of exhibits dedicated to showcasing the area's human and natural history. The museum includes special exhibits dedicated to the Midwick View Estates, which was one of the most high-profile residential developments in the city's history. The settlement, which was established in the 1920s, helped bring industrial and commercial development to Los Angeles.
Garvey Ranch Park
Garvey Ranch Park is now the site of a popular city park. It contains many standard park resources and amenities, along with an observatory that draws amateur and professional astronomers alike. The park also has a sports field, picnic areas, and a community center that occasionally holds town-hosted special events.
Barnes Park
Barnes Park is another popular outdoor recreation area. It features ample green space, open to the public, complete with an amphitheater. There are several open areas for residents to enjoy outdoor activities, and there are also tennis courts open for public use.
Despite its proximity to Los Angeles, Monterey Park is a naturally beautiful and inspiring place to live. You can play a part in adding to the city's beauty by keeping your own property maintained. Unsightly weeds and an unhealthy yard can be an eyesore to all, and you don't want to deter visitors. If you need help getting your yard in top shape, call on Lawn Love, your local lawn care experts.
