Lawndale |
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History of Lawndale
Lawndale's first residents were Shoshone Native Americans. In 1769 the Spanish took title and started to use the land for cattle grazing. After Mexico gained its independence, it named the area Sausal Redondo, a huge track which ultimately became the cities of El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach, Playa del Rey, Redondo Beach, and Torrance.
California became a United States territory in 1848. The golden state joined the union in 1850. In 1860 Scottish Lord Robert Burnett purchased Sausal Redondo and expanded the livestock operations. He planted thousands of eucalyptus, pepper, and fruit trees. In 1873 he returned to Scotland and leased the land to Daniel Freeman, a Canadian who augmented the orchards, sheep and cattle herds. Between 1875 and 1876 a drought devastated the crop so Freeman started growing barley which used less water. By 1880 he was producing a million bushels a year. Freeman exercised his purchase option, buying the land in 1885. The establishing of a seaport at Redondo in 1890 led developers to eye the surrounding land for its potential. In 1905 Charles B. Hopper first subdivided the area and named it Lawndale after a Chicago suburb. Lots sold slowly. The area was promoted as being friendly to backyard poultry raising. Despite the fact that Railroad service was established from Port Redondo to Los Angeles new arrivals were slow to settle in Lawndale. Steam trains were soon replaced by electric trolley cars along Hawthorne Boulevard. By the 1910 U.S. census there were only 142 residents in Lawndale. Agriculture continued to dominate until the discovery of oil in the 1920s. The boom peaked between1927-1929 bringing in an influx of oil workers. The Great Depression hit the area hard. The population didn’t increase significantly until after World War II, as the community lost its rural character and became a bedroom suburb. Lawndale became a city in 1959.
Description of Lawndale
Lawndale is just under 2 square miles bordered by Redondo Beach on the West and Southwest, Hawthorne on the North, Torrance on the Southeast, and the unincorporated area of El Camino on the East.
Residents of Lawndale
There are 31,000 residents with a median age of 29. The population is 59% Latino, 19% White, 11% Asian and 9% Black. The median income is $51,000. Of the people 25 and older 13% have a four year degree. 39% of the population is foreign born. The city is 69% Catholic.
Rentals in Lawndale
Almost all of the rentals in Lawndale
are in post WW II buildings, both apartments and homes. 1 bedroom
apartments start at $1000. Homes for rent in Lawndale are typically priced well above $1,000 per month and range largely based on size and amenities.
Fun Things to do Lawndale
The Alondra Park Golf Course is a
regulation 18 hole course on 16400 South Prairie Ave Eagle’s Nest Saloon on 15150 Prairie Ave is a popular pub.
El Pollo Inka is a well regarded Peruvian food restaurant.
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