Gardena

City of Gardena
—  City  —
Location of Gardena in Los Angeles County, California
Coordinates: 33°53′37″N 118°18′28″W / 33.89361°N 118.30778°W / 33.89361; -118.30778
Country	United States
State	California
County	Los Angeles
Incorporated (city)	1930-09-11[1]
Government
- Mayor	Paul K. Tanaka[2]
Area
- Total	5.82 sq mi (15.07 km2)
- Land	5.82 sq mi (15.07 km2)
- Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0.00%
Elevation	49 ft (15 m)
Population (2000)[3]
- Total	57,746
- Density	9,921.3/sq mi (3,830.6/km2)
Time zone	PST (UTC-8)
- Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code	90247-90249[4]
Area code(s)	310/424[5]
FIPS code	06-28168
GNIS feature ID	1660664
Website	ci.gardena.ca.us

Gardena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 57,746 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Gardena is located at 33°53′37″N 118°18′28″W / 33.89361°N 118.30778°W / 33.89361; -118.30778 (33.893615, -118.307841).^{[6][page needed]}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.1 km² (5.8 mi²), all land.

Gardena is bordered by Athens on the north, the Los Angeles neighborhood of Harbor Gateway on the east and south, Torrance on the southwest, Alondra Park on the west, and Hawthorne on the northwest.

History

Based on archaeological findings it seems proven Tongva Indians hunted and fished in the area of today's Gardena.^[7] The Tongva Indians — also known as Gabrielino Indians — are probably descendants of those who crossed from Asia to North America around 10,000 years ago.^[7]

In 1784, three years after the foundation of Los Angeles a Spanish soldier named Juan Jose Rodriguez received, in recognition of his military service, land from the King of Spain.^[7] Part of this land contained what became known as Gardena Valley.^[7] After the American Civil War veterans bought parts of the land, soon ranchers and farmers followed suit.^[7] Civil War veteran Spencer Roane Thorpe is credited with starting the first settlement in Gardena in 1887.^[7] Some believe the city was named for its reputation for being the only "green spot" in the dry season between Los Angeles and the sea.^[7]

Railroads put Gardena on the map following a real estate boom in the Los Angeles area in the 1880s.^[7] Because of its acres of berries, the city was dubbed "Berryland".^[7] The Strawberry Day Festival and Parade was held each May annually.^[7] The berry industry suffered at the time of World War I as other crops were supported by the war economy.^[8]

The City of Gardena became incorporated on September 11, 1930.^[8] (The only way Gardena could protect itself from a heavy county tax imposed on a planned project at a park site was to incorporate.^[8])

Climate

The Los Angeles Basin is well-known for its year-round pleasant weather:

• On average, the warmest month is August.
• The highest recorded temperature was 111°F in 1955.
• On average, the coolest month is December.
• The lowest recorded temperature was 21°F in 2007.
• The maximum average precipitation occurs in January.

Gardena has a Mediterranean climate or Dry-Summer Subtropical (Köppen climate classification Csb on the coast, Csa inland). Gardena enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of 263 sunshine days and only 35 days with measurable precipitation annually.^[9]

The period of April through November is warm to hot and dry with average high temperatures of 71 - 79°F and lows of 50 - 62°F. Due to the moderating effect of the ocean, temperatures are cooler than more inland areas of Los Angeles, where temperatures frequently exceed 90°F (32°C) and occasionally reach 100°F (38°C).

The period of November through March is somewhat rainy, as shown in the table to left.^[10]

The Los Angeles area is also subject to the phenomena typical of a microclimate. As such, the temperatures can vary as much as 18°F (10°C) between inland areas and the coast, with a temperature gradient of over one degree per mile (1.6 km) from the coast inland. California has also a weather phenomenon called "June Gloom or May Grey", which sometimes brings overcast or foggy skies in the morning at the coast, but usually gives way to sunny skies by noon, during late spring and early summer.

The Los Angeles region averages 15 inches (385 mm) of precipitation annually, which mainly occurs during the winter and spring (November through April) with generally light rain showers, but sometimes as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Coastal areas receive slightly less rainfall, while the mountains receive slightly more. Snowfall is extremely rare in the city basin, but the mountains within city limits typically receive snowfall every winter.

The greatest snowfall recorded in downtown Los Angeles was 2 inches (5 cm) in 1932.^[11][12]

Demographics

Median income^[13][14]

Age distribution

As of the census^{[15][page needed]} of 2000, there were 57,746 people, 20,324 households, and 14,023 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,830.9/km² (9,921.3/mi²). There were 21,041 housing units at an average density of 1,395.9/km² (3,615.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 23.82% White, 25.99% Black or African American, 0.64% Native American, 26.82% Asian, 0.73% Pacific Islander, 16.94% from other races, and 5.05% from two or more races. 31.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20,324 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,988, and the median income for a family was $44,906. Males had a median income of $32,951 versus $29,908 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,263. About 12.3% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

Local government

The Gardena Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in the City. The Police Department has 93 sworn police officers, 24 full-time support staff, and 33 part-time employees. There are reserve, volunteer, and explorer programs. The current Chief of Police is Edward Medrano, appointed in 2007. Radio communications and the 9-1-1 call center are handled by the South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority.

County, state, and federal representation

In the state legislature Gardena is located in the 25th Senate District, represented by Democrat Edward Vincent, and in the 51st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Curren D. Price Jr.. Federally, Gardena is located in California's 35th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +33^[16] and is represented by Democrat Maxine Waters.

The United States Postal Service operates the Gardena Post Office at 1455 West Redondo Beach Boulevard,^[17] the South Gardena Post Office at 1103 West Gardena Boulevard,^[18] and the Alondra Post Office at 14028 Van Ness Avenue.^[19]

Economy

Digital Manga is headquartered in Suite 300 at 1487 West 178th Street.^[20]

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Gardena is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District. The area is within Board District 7.^[21] As of 2008 Dr. Richard Vladovic represents the district.^[22]

Zoned elementary schools include:

• 153rd Street Elementary School
• 156th Street Elementary School
• 186th Street Elementary School^[23]
• Ambler Elementary School
• Amestoy Elementary School
• Chapman Elementary School
• Denker Elementary School^[24]
• Gardena Elementary School (Los Angeles)
• Purche Elementary School
  • Some areas in Gardena have a choice among Gardens Elementary School^[25] (Los Angeles), Purche, and 135th Street Elementary School (Los Angeles)

Zoned middle schools include:

• Peary Middle School^[26]
  • Some areas in Gardena have a choice between Peary and Clay Middle School^[27] (Los Angeles)

Zoned high schools include:

• Gardena High School (Los Angeles)

In Spring 1956, the junior high school classes stayed at the old Gardena High School while the high school classes moved into a new building. Up until the opening of the new Gardena High School, high school students held morning shifts, while junior high school students held afternoon shifts.^[28]

Private schools

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles operates Catholic schools in Gardena, including Junípero Serra High School,^[29] Maria Regina Catholic School (K-8),^[30] and St. Anthony of Padua School (K-8).^[31] Gardena Valley Christian School, a K-8 non-Catholic private school, is in Gardena.^[32]

Public libraries

Gardena Mayme Dear Library, a 16,000 square foot building located in Gardena,^[33] and Masao W. Satow Library, located west of Gardena in unincorporated Los Angeles County,^[34] are operated by the County of Los Angeles Public Library.

Wednesday Progressive Club sponsored the formation of the Gardena Library.^[33] In 1913 the Moneta Branch was formed.^[34] In 1914 the Gardena Library became a part of the Los Angeles County Free Library system. Due to annexation the library was transferred to the Los Angeles City Library Board.^[33] In 1919 the Strawberry Park branch was formed.^[34] In August 1951 the Gardena library came back to the county system.^[33] In 1958 the Strawberry Park and Moneta branches merged into the West Gardena Branch.^[34] The current Gardena library building was dedicated on December 5, 1964.^[33] In 1969 a fire forced the West Gardena branch to go to a new location. The current Satow building, dedicated on February 26, 1977, was named after a Japanese American in the community.^[34] The Gardena library received its current name on May 30, 1992 after a library volunteer, who had died prior to the renaming.^[33]

Notable residents/affiliates

The following is a list of famous natives, residents, and other notable people with strong ties to the city:

• J.C. Agajanian- prominent racing promoter; owned and operated Ascot Park.
• Paul Bannai- former city councilman and first Japanese American to serve in the California State Legislature.
• Romana Acosta Bañuelos- 34th and first Hispanic US Treasurer; founder/owner of Ramona's Mexican Food Products, one of the oldest businesses still operating in the city (founded in 1949).
• Polly Bergen- actress and singer; originally from Tennessee, lived in Gardena and attended Gardena High School (GHS).^[35]
• Enos Cabell- third basemen with the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers; originally from Kansas, attended GHS.^[35]
• Wayne Collett- runner, 1972 Summer Olympics silver medalist in the 400 meter event; attended GHS.^[35]
• Dock Ellis- pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates; attended GHS.^[35]
• Charlie Evans- running back with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins; born in Gardena.
• Robert L. Freedman- screenwriter and playwright; onetime resident of Gardena, attended Purche Avenue Elementary school(PAE).
• Frankie Garcia- Hall of Fame boxer; resident of Gardena.^[35]
• Gaston Green- running back with the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos; attended GHS.^[35]
• H.B. Halicki- actor, film maker, stuntman; business owner in Gardena and premiered his Gone in 60 Seconds there in 1974.^[35]
• Toby Holguin- stuntman and actor; born in Gardena.^[35]
• Lisa Leslie- Olympic gold medalist and Los Angeles Sparks basketball player; born in Gardena.
• Diana Magaña- Miss California USA, 1988 and Miss World USA 1988, daughter of the founders of Diana's Mexican Food Products in Gardena; onetime resident.^[35]
• Art Pepper- innovative jazz saxophonist; born in Gardena.
• Butch Patrick- actor; was living in Gardena and attending PAE when he auditioned for The Munsters.^[35]
• Paul Petersen- actor, novelist, activist; onetime resident of Gardena.^[35]
• William Rosecrans- Union general, congressman, and ambassador to Mexico; owner of and resident upon (from 1869) "Rosecrans Rancho," the foundation upon which Gardena would later emerge.^[35]
• George Stanich- 1948 Summer Olympics high jumper and bronze medalist; resident of Gardena.^[35]

See also

• South Bay, Los Angeles
• Ascot Park, a closed racetrack in Gardena

References

External links

• City of Gardena, California Official Website
• Cultural: Gabrielino/Tongva Tribal Council Website
• Cultural: Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute

• Gardena, California is at coordinates 33°53′37″N 118°18′28″W / 33.893615°N 118.307841°W / 33.893615; -118.307841 (Gardena, California)Coordinates: 33°53′37″N 118°18′28″W / 33.893615°N 118.307841°W / 33.893615; -118.307841 (Gardena, California)

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