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San Gabriel, California

Coordinates: 34°6′10.14″N 118°5′58.89″W / 34.1028167°N 118.0996917°W / 34.1028167; -118.0996917
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San Gabriel, California
City
Flag of San Gabriel, California
Flag
Official seal of San Gabriel, California
Seal
Motto: 
"City With A Mission"
Location of San Gabriel in Los Angeles County, California
Location of San Gabriel in Los Angeles County, California
San Gabriel is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
San Gabriel
San Gabriel
Location of San Gabriel in Los Angeles County, California
Coordinates: 34°6′10.14″N 118°5′58.89″W / 34.1028167°N 118.0996917°W / 34.1028167; -118.0996917
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyLos Angeles
IncorporatedApril 24, 1913[1]
Named forArchangel Gabriel
Government
 • Mayor[3]John R. Harrington
 • Vice MayorJohn Wu
 • City CouncilEric Chan
Tony Ding
Denise Menchaca
 • City ManagerMark Lazzaretto[2]
Area
[4]
 • Total4.15 sq mi (10.74 km2)
 • Land4.14 sq mi (10.73 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0.02%
Elevation
[5]
420 ft (128 m)
Population
 (2010)[6]
 • Total39,718
 • Estimate 
(2019)[7]
39,899
 • Density9,625.81/sq mi (3,716.92/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific Time Zone)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
91775, 91776, 91778[8]
Area code626[9]
FIPS code06-67042
GNIS feature IDs1656614, 2411787
Websitewww.sangabrielcity.com

San Gabriel (Spanish for "St. Gabriel") is a city located in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, California. At the 2010 census, the population was 39,718.

San Gabriel was founded by the Spanish in 1771, when Mission San Gabriel Arcángel was established by Saint Junípero Serra. Through the Spanish and Mexican periods, San Gabriel played an important role in the development of Los Angeles and Californio society. Owing to the prominence of Mission San Gabriel in the region's history, it is often called the "birthplace of the Los Angeles region".[10]

History[edit]

San Gabriel was established by the Spanish in 1771, when Junípero Serra founded Mission San Gabriel Arcángel.
Mission San Gabriel Arcángel in 1832, painted by Ferdinand Deppe
San Gabriel Mission Fiesta, 1962

Tongva[edit]

Prior to the arrival of the Spanish to Alta California, the area that is San Gabriel were inhabited by the Tongva, whom the Spanish called the Gabrieleño. The Tongva village of Shevaanga was located at the original site of Mission San Gabriel, before being moved to the site of another village, Toviscanga, in 1776 after being destroyed by a flood. These villages were part of an extensive trade network and were interconnected by a series of trails.[11][12]

Spanish period[edit]

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, founded by Father Junípero Serra in 1771, is the fourth of twenty-one California Missions, and is known as the "Pride of the California Missions."[13] Dissidence and rebellions against the mission by the Tongva, who were forced to labor at the mission, were common.[14] After the Spanish missionaries banned converts to Christianity from dancing and participating in ceremony, a major rebellion of eight villages was staged against the mission in 1785 led by Toypurina and Nicolás Josè.[15]

Mexican period[edit]

The Mission San Gabriel Arcángel served a pivotal role in the Californio society, with many of the area's first Mexican settlers being baptized at the mission, including future governor Pio Pico, who was born in 1801 at the mission and baptized there the same year. He was appointed as California's governor twice, serving briefly in 1832 and again from 1845 through the Mexican–American War. Later in life, he was elected as a Los Angeles City councilman.[16] The city of Pico Rivera was named to honor him as the last governor of California to be born in Mexico.[17]

American period[edit]

In 1853, a company of Army Engineers, which included the geologist William P. Blake, passed by the mission in search of the best route for an intercontinental railroad. Blake observed that the once great vineyards had fallen into wild disarray. Fences were in disrepair and animals roamed freely through the property. But the mission bells were ringing and the church was still in use. Blake predicted, "I believe that when the adaptation of that portion of California to the culture of the grape and the manufacture of wine becomes known and appreciated, the state will become celebrated not only for its gold and grain, but (also) for its fruits and wines."[18]

In the first United States census made in California in 1860, 586 people lived in the San Gabriel township, an area encompassing the mission lands and several adjacent ranchos stretching north to what is now Pasadena. By 1870, the population had shrunk to 436.[19][20]

San Gabriel incorporated as a city April 24, 1913, with a population of 1,500.[18]

Geography[edit]

Laguna de San Gabriel, designed by Benjamín Domínguez, at Lugo Park

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.1 square miles (11 km2), virtually all of it land.

The city is located in the San Gabriel Valley and is bordered on the north by San Marino, on the east by Temple City and Rosemead, to the south by Rosemead and to the west by Alhambra.

Parks[edit]

View of the San Gabriel Mountains from the city of San Gabriel

The Parks and Recreation Department offers an after school sports program and a summer playground program for San Gabriel youth. Along with these programs, the department provides a variety of trips and special events throughout the year for youth of all ages.

Parks include:

  • Adult Recreation Center and Senior Center, 324 South Mission Drive
  • Bovard-Wilson-Hayes House and Jail
  • Grapevine Park and Arbor, 324 South Mission Drive
  • Smith Park and Pool, 232 West Broadway,
  • Vincent Lugo Park, Corner of Wells and Ramona Streets

Climate[edit]

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, San Gabriel has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps. Summers are hot and very dry, and winters are mild.

Climate data for San Gabriel, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1939–2015
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 94
(34) 		94
(34) 		101
(38) 		106
(41) 		106
(41) 		111
(44) 		108
(42) 		112
(44) 		112
(44) 		108
(42) 		101
(38) 		96
(36) 		112
(44)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 84.8
(29.3) 		85.6
(29.8) 		87.4
(30.8) 		93.2
(34.0) 		92.5
(33.6) 		95.2
(35.1) 		98.7
(37.1) 		100.7
(38.2) 		102.5
(39.2) 		98.0
(36.7) 		90.1
(32.3) 		82.9
(28.3) 		106.2
(41.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 68.6
(20.3) 		68.2
(20.1) 		70.9
(21.6) 		73.8
(23.2) 		75.6
(24.2) 		80.8
(27.1) 		85.5
(29.7) 		87.6
(30.9) 		86.7
(30.4) 		80.7
(27.1) 		74.0
(23.3) 		67.8
(19.9) 		76.7
(24.8)
Daily mean °F (°C) 57.4
(14.1) 		57.7
(14.3) 		60.7
(15.9) 		63.2
(17.3) 		66.6
(19.2) 		71.2
(21.8) 		75.4
(24.1) 		76.6
(24.8) 		75.1
(23.9) 		69.0
(20.6) 		62.3
(16.8) 		56.6
(13.7) 		66.0
(18.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 46.1
(7.8) 		47.1
(8.4) 		50.5
(10.3) 		52.7
(11.5) 		57.6
(14.2) 		61.5
(16.4) 		65.2
(18.4) 		65.5
(18.6) 		63.6
(17.6) 		57.4
(14.1) 		50.6
(10.3) 		45.3
(7.4) 		55.3
(12.9)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 33.9
(1.1) 		35.7
(2.1) 		38.5
(3.6) 		41.8
(5.4) 		48.1
(8.9) 		52.8
(11.6) 		57.1
(13.9) 		56.1
(13.4) 		54.2
(12.3) 		47.0
(8.3) 		38.6
(3.7) 		33.3
(0.7) 		31.8
(−0.1)
Record low °F (°C) 22
(−6) 		25
(−4) 		31
(−1) 		34
(1) 		38
(3) 		43
(6) 		46
(8) 		47
(8) 		42
(6) 		33
(1) 		30
(−1) 		24
(−4) 		22
(−6)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.56
(90) 		4.22
(107) 		2.53
(64) 		0.61
(15) 		0.48
(12) 		0.13
(3.3) 		0.04
(1.0) 		0.00
(0.00) 		0.13
(3.3) 		0.61
(15) 		0.92
(23) 		2.44
(62) 		15.67
(398)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 6.5 7.1 5.1 2.2 1.9 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.4 1.6 2.7 4.7 33.2
Source 1: NOAA[21]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010)[22]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900737—
19202,640—
19307,224173.6%
194011,86764.3%
195020,34371.4%
196022,56110.9%
197029,33630.0%
198030,0722.5%
199037,12023.4%
200039,8047.2%
201039,718−0.2%
2019 (est.)39,899[7]0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[23]

2010[edit]

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, designed by Antonio Cruzado

The 2010 United States Census[24] reported that San Gabriel had a population of 39,718. The population density was 9,581.5 inhabitants per square mile (3,699.4/km2). The racial makeup of San Gabriel was 24,091 (60.7%) Asian, 10,076 (25.4%) White (11.4% Non-Hispanic White), 388 (1.0%) African American, 220 (0.6%) Native American, 43 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 3,762 (9.5%) from other races, and 1,138 (2.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10,189 persons (25.7%).

The Census reported that 39,266 people (98.9% of the population) lived in households, 34 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 418 (1.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 12,542 households, out of which 4,542 (36.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 6,668 (53.2%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,961 (15.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 965 (7.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 481 (3.8%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 76 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,121 households (16.9%) were made up of individuals, and 800 (6.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13. There were 9,594 families (76.5% of all households); the average family size was 3.47.

The population was spread out, with 7,866 people (19.8%) under the age of 18, 3,555 people (9.0%) aged 18 to 24, 11,335 people (28.5%) aged 25 to 44, 11,388 people (28.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 5,574 people (14.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

There were 13,237 housing units at an average density of 3,193.3 per square mile (1,232.9/km2), of which 6,168 (49.2%) were owner-occupied, and 6,374 (50.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%. 19,974 people (50.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 19,292 people (48.6%) lived in rental housing units.

2000[edit]

San Gabriel City Hall
St. Sava Orthodox Church

As of the census[25] of 2000, there were 39,804 people, 12,587 households, and 9,566 families residing in the city. The population density was 9,639.3 inhabitants per square mile (3,721.8/km2). There were 12,909 housing units at an average density of 3,126.2 per square mile (1,207.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 33.40% White, 1.06% African American, 0.83% Native American, 48.91% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 12.36% from other races, and 3.34% from two or more races. Those identifying as Hispanic or Latino (of any race) were 30.71% of the population.

There were 12,587 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 3.52.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $56,720, and the median income The per capita income for the city was $24,816. About 9.5% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

These were the ten neighborhoods in Los Angeles County with the largest percentage of Asian residents, according to the 2000 census:[26]

  1. Chinatown, 70.6%
  2. Monterey Park, 61.1%
  3. Cerritos, 58.3%
  4. Walnut, 56.2%
  5. Rowland Heights, 51.7%
  6. San Gabriel, 48.9%
  7. Rosemead, 48.6%
  8. Alhambra, 47.2%
  9. San Marino, 46.8%
  10. Arcadia, 45.4%

Economy[edit]

Top employers[edit]

Businesses on Valley Blvd.
Shops near the intersection of Abbot Ave and Valley Blvd.

According to the city's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:[27]

# Employer # of Employees
1 AHMC San Gabriel Valley Medical 1062
2 Landwin Hospitality LLC 150
3 Ivy Creek Healthcare & Wellness Centre 147
4 SGV Healthcare Inc. 147
5 99 Ranch Market #208 143
6 Royal Vista Care Center, LLC 123
7 San Gabriel Country Club 120
8 Pine Grove Healthcare & Wellness Centre 116
9 Five Star Seafood Restaurant 105
10 San Gabriel Superstore 105

Government[edit]

San Gabriel City Hall on Mission Dr.

In the state legislature San Gabriel is located in the 21st Senate District, represented by Democrat Anthony Portantino, and in the 49th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Ed Chau.

In the United States House of Representatives, San Gabriel is in California's 28th congressional district, represented by Democrat Judy Chu.[28]

View of San Gabriel City Hall from the Plaza de San Gabriel

City[edit]

Five Councilmembers are elected by the voters to serve a four-year term. The Mayor is appointed annually by the Council in a rotation among its members. The City Council is also the Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors. The current members are Tony-Ding Tony Ding (D), John R. Harrington] (L[citation needed]), Denise Menchaca] (D), Carina Rivera, and John Wu.[3]

The city's first Chinese American mayor was Chi Mui in 2006. He symbolized San Gabriel's rise as the new center of the region's Chinese community. He died of cancer three months later.[29] Mui was replaced by Albert Y. M. Huang, who served as mayor during his term. Huang submitted his resignation October 19, 2010, following a late-night domestic dispute with his girlfriend and subsequent arrest. Huang has since been cleared of all charges.[30]

Education[edit]

San Gabriel Mission Playhouse
Gabrielino High School

The vast majority of the city of San Gabriel is served by the San Gabriel Unified School District.[31] It has five of the public elementary schools,[32] Jefferson Middle School, Gabrielino High School, Del Mar High School, which opened in 2010, is an alternative high school.[33]

A portion of San Gabriel is in the Garvey School District and the Alhambra Unified School District.[31] Two elementary schools that exist within the city limits are operated by the Garvey School District, in the southern portion of San Gabriel. San Gabriel High School is operated by Alhambra USD .

A portion of San Gabriel is in the Rosemead Elementary School District and the El Monte Union High School District.[31]

San Gabriel Mission High School is a Catholic, all girls school.

Media[edit]

San Gabriel community news are covered by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, a paid daily newspaper, as well as by Mid-Valley News and San Gabriel Sun, which are community weeklies.

Culture[edit]

Shopping near the intersection of Del Mar Ave. and Valley Blvd in 2025

The city has a mixture of Asian, European, and North American cultures.[34] Second- and third-generation Chinese Americans patronize its diverse array of stores and eateries.[29]

There is the 12-acre (49,000 m2) "San Gabriel Square" mall, sometimes referred to as the "Chinese Disneyland".[34] It was also nicknamed by the Los Angeles Times as "the great mall of China."[35][36] This stretch of Chinese shops and bold architecture, with roofs of Spanish-style tile, is the model for the new ethnoburbs recently recognized in places like Las Vegas and Houston.[34][37]

Transportation[edit]

The Mission District
A streetcar of the Pacific Electric Railway makes a stop at Mission San Gabriel Arcángel c. 1905.

San Gabriel is currently served by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

In 2008, voters approved the measure, proposition 1A for the California High Speed Rail Project from San Diego to San Francisco.[38] The project will be constructed in two segments. The San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim project is scheduled to be built first, at a cost of $43 billion, with a completion date in 2029.[38] The second phase of the proposed railway, from Los Angeles to stations in San Diego will not begin construction until after phase one is completed. The California High-Speed Rail Authority is responsible for planning, designing, and building the system.

Conceptually, the voters were very enthusiastic about a high speed railway. The reality of the possibility that it could impact their neighborhood and their homes is being met with steadfast disapproval. When the California High-Speed Rail Authority recently met with the city councils and residents of San Gabriel, El Monte, Rosemead[39] and Alhambra, to discuss the four proposed routes for phase two, the members of the three city councils expressed that residents were very concerned that the railway could possibly end up in their backyards.[38] Mayor David Gutierrez said "We made a promise to the community that the city of San Gabriel will never allow anything like this to happen if there is any consideration that people might lose their home."[38] No decisions will be made until environmental impact and evaluation of the various proposed routes are completed in 2014.[38]

Notable people[edit]

Sister cities[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on November 3, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  2. ^ "Office of the City Manager". City of San Gabriel. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "City Council". City of San Gabriel. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  4. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  5. ^ "San Gabriel". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  6. ^ "San Gabriel (city) QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  8. ^ "USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results". Retrieved January 18, 2007.
  9. ^ "Number Administration System - NPA and City/Town Search Results". Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2007.
  10. ^ "History of San Gabriel". Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  11. ^ University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology. University of California. 1907. p. 141.
  12. ^ The Masterkey, Volume 31. Southwest Museum. 1957. p. 125.
  13. ^ "City of San Gabriel, California, Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Year ended June 30, 2009" (PDF). City of San Gabriel. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  14. ^ Street, Richard Steven (2004). Beasts of the Field: A Narrative History of California Farmworkers, 1769-1913. Stanford University Press. p. 39. ISBN 9780804738804. a clerk with the Jedediah Smith fur-trapping party spent considerable time observing his San Gabriel mission surroundings. He soon found himself unable to tolerate the site of the natives working in the nearby vineyards and fields. 'They are kept in great fear, and for the least offense they are corrected,' he confided in his diary. 'They are... complete slaves in every sense of the word.'
  15. ^ Hull, Kathleen L.; Douglass, John G. (October 16, 2018). Forging Communities in Colonial Alta California. University of Arizona Press. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-8165-3892-8.
  16. ^ "Pio Pico - Last Governor of Mexican California". laalmanac.com.
  17. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions: Pico Rivera". County of Los Angeles Public Library. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b Gally, Sid (March 9, 2010). "Past on Parade: What was the San Gabriel Valley like in 1853?". Pasadena Star-News. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  19. ^ Paul R. Spitzzeri (Fall 2007). "What a Difference a Decade Makes: Ethnic and Racial Demographic Change in Los Angeles County during the 1860s" (PDF). Branding Iron.
  20. ^ U.S. Census Bureau. "Population of the United States in 1860: California" (PDF).
  21. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: San Gabriel Fire DEPT, CA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  22. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Los Angeles". National Weather Service. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  23. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  24. ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - San Gabriel city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  25. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  26. ^ "Asian", Mapping L.A., Los Angeles Times
  27. ^ "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report". City of San Gabriel. June 30, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  28. ^ "California's 28th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b Pierson, David (March 31, 2006). "Dragon Roars in San Gabriel". Los Angeles Times.
  30. ^ "City Council". City of San Gabriel. Archived from the original on December 22, 2006. Retrieved January 19, 2007.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b c "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Los Angeles County, CA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 10 (PDF p. 11/19). Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  32. ^ "San Gabriel Unified School District Listing". sgusd.k12.ca.us. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  33. ^ "Del Mar High School". delmar.sgusd.k12.ca.us. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  34. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Points of Interest". City of San Gabriel. Archived from the original on May 3, 2011.
  35. ^ Jonathan Gold; Laurie Ochoa (November 12, 1992). "Cook's Walks: The Great Mall of China". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012.
  36. ^ "Welcome To The San Gabriel Square".
  37. ^ Shyong, Frank (February 27, 2023). "How renovation of an iconic Chinese mall represents a shift in L.A.'s Chinese community". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  38. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "San Gabriel hears from Rail Authority and residents - Pasadena Star-News". Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  39. ^ "Residents Oppose HighSpeed Railway in Alhambra Monday Night". San Marino Tribune.
  40. ^ Jump up to: a b c "McConnell picks baseball's best ever". February 17, 2009.
  41. ^ "Bill Mumy Biography (1954-)". www.filmreference.com.
  42. ^ Eskenazi, Gerald (July 16, 2003). "Tex Schramm Is Dead at 83; Builder of 'America's Team". The New York Times.
  43. ^ "Joanna Wang Lyrics". SweetsLyrics.com.

External links[edit]

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