Whittier, California

Whittier is a city in Los Angeles County, California about 12 miles southeast of Los Angeles. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 83,680. It is the home of Whittier College.

The city's population as a whole has grown since its founding days but has experienced rapid growth particularly starting in the 90s. It has increased from 77,807 in 1990 to 83,680 in 2000 and is projected to grow to 90,041 in 2010.

90,041 2010 Projection
86,671 2005 Estimate
83,680 2000 Census
77,807 1990 Census

[edit] Geography

Whittier is located at 33°57′56″N, 118°1′28″W (33.5756, -118.128)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 37.9 km² (14.8 mi²), all land.

Whittier is bordered by the community of Hacienda Heights to the northeast, City of Industry to the north, and several other unincorporated communities in the San Gabriel Valley mostly along its northern sections. Pico Rivera lies at the west, La Habra Heights to the east, La Habra to the southeast and Santa Fe Springs to the south. Whittier is flat everywhere but in the northeastern portion which has several hillside and small mountain communities.

[edit] History

The roots of Whittier can be traced to a Spanish soldier, Manuel Nieto, who in 1784 received a Spanish land grant of 300,000 acres (Rancho Los Nietos) as a reward for his military service and to encourage settlement in California. Nieto's acreage was reduced in 1790 because of a dispute with the Mission San Gabriel, but he still laid claim to 167,000 acres stretching from the hills north of Whittier, Fullerton and Brea, south to the Pacific ocean, and from today's Los Angeles River, east to the Santa Ana River. Nieto constructed a dwelling for his family near the present town of Whittier, stocked the land with cattle and horses, and cultivated corn. Upon his death in 1804, his children inherited his property.

After the Mexican-American war, Jacob Gerkens, a German immigrant who paid $234 to the U.S. government to acquire 160 acres of land under the Homestead Act. He built a cabin on the land which is today known as the Jonathan Bailey House. The land had several owners before a group of Quakers bought the land, which had since been expanded to 1,259 acres, with the purpose of founding a Quaker community.

Whittier, California, late 19th century

Whittier became a charter law city and was incorporated in 1898. Like many other southern California communities, Whittier experienced a population increase after World War II.

[edit] Origin of name

In the founding days of Whittier, when it was a small isolated town, Jonathan Bailey and his wife, Rebecca, were among the first residents. They followed the Quaker religion, and held religious meetings on their porch. As the city grew, the citizens named it after John Greenleaf Whittier, a respected Quaker poet. Whittier wrote a dedication poem, and is honored today with statues and a small exhibit at the Whittier museum; a statue of him sits in the park, and another representing his poem The Barefoot Boy resides by the City Hall. Consequently, the college there is called Whittier College, and the mascot, appropriately, is "The Poet." Whittier never set foot there, but the city still bears his name and is rooted in the Quaker tradition.

[edit] Quaker history in Whittier

The first Quaker Meeting, "First Friends Church" still stands on Philadelphia Street in Uptown Whittier, though its original structure burned down more than 30 years ago. First Friends is a 'programmed' Quaker meeting and is similar to other churches in the Christian mainstream. A more traditional 'unprogrammed' Quaker Meeting group known as the Whitleaf Meeting meets in the Mendenhall Building on the Whittier College campus every Saturday morning. Many are members of both meetings.

[edit] Whittier Narrows earthquake

On Oct. 1, 1987, at 7:42 a.m., the Whittier Narrows earthquake struck, the epicenter six miles north by northwest of Whittier. The seismic event, which registered 5.9 on the Richter scale, resulted in eight casualties and massive damage to uptown Whittier's historic buildings. In the years following the earthquake, the city's deteriorating uptown business district, which suffered substantial damage in the earthquake, became the focus of renewed development. By early 2007, the district thrives, and continues to grow, as a trendy open-air retail center.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 83,680 people, 28,271 households, and 20,468 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,208.4/km² (5,719.4/mi²). There were 28,977 housing units at an average density of 764.7/km² (1,980.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 63.2% White, 1.2% African American, 1.3% Native American, 3.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 25.8% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 55.9% of the population. [1]

There were 28,271 households out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,256, and the median income for a family was $55,726. Males had a median income of $40,394 versus $34,223 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,409. About 7.8% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Business

Whittier's Redevelopment Agency has numerous projects underway to revitalize the community. This includes a $7 million dollar project near historic Hoover Hotel.

The city's recognizable auto sales spine aligned along CA-72 has dealerships such as Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Jeep, Mitsubishi, Pontiac, Toyota, Saturn and many others. The city has also attracted many known restaurant chains such as Chili's and the Olive Garden to the Quad at Whittier shopping center anchored by Burlington Coat Factory, Old Navy, and a Ralph's.

The Whittwood Town Center (formerly the Whittwood Mall) anchored by JC Penny, Target, Sears, Vons, and Mervyn's has made way for Red Robin and Black Angus. Johnny Carino's Italian is scheduled to open soon. The city still waits to attract more well known businesses and open new residential town homes with the revival of its Uptown district.

In addition, the agency is working on developing a 480-acre project area near Whittier Blvd. The master plan was adopted in June 2005 by the City Council.

[edit] Nelles Land Controversy

In 2006, the City Council lost a bid on the highly sought parcels of land where the Nelles Juvenile Prison once operated. The State of California had listed the land for sale and began taking bids. Through its selected appraisal company, the City of Whittier offered what the State considered to be an extremely low bid for the property. The bid was never considered.

As a result of this stalemate, the State of California unlisted the property and it was designated as one of a handful of potential sites for a new men's prison. Plans for this were part of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's master plan to build more prisons across California.

For the time being though, the possibility of the potential re-opening of a prison on the site has been effectively blocked by the current state senator Charles Calderon, whose constituency includes Whittier. The State will ultimately have the final say, as Calderon is only allowed to negotiate with the State.

As of early 2007 the property still has not been put back on the market.

[edit] Whittwood Mall

Built in the 1960's as competition to The Quad at Whittier, this mall originally opened with three anchors: JCPenney on the east end, The Broadway on the west end, and a Boston Store in the center. A Sav-On Drugs was located next to JCPenney. The Whittwood mall was originally an open-air plaza, a design favored by customers of the mid-20th century.

In early 1979, Whittwood Mall was given a complete overhaul. Newly outfitted in dark brown and brick, popular colors of buildings of the era, it expanded to include a food court. Two years later, a Mervyn's store opened in the back near The Broadway, one of the center's "anchor" stores. Largely because of growing public favor toward outdoor shopping "communities," the mall faced a downhill struggle during the mid-1990s. Boston Store closed for good in early 1995; nothing replaced it.

The mall remodeled the exterior in early 1991 as it was trying to lure shops from The Quad. Krikorian Theatres built a 10-screen premium movie theatre on the back lot. This was sold a few years later to Regal Cinemas, who closed the theatre by the late '90s.

In 1996, The Broadway was bought out by Federated. They decided not to convert this store to a Macy's, and it was closed and immediately sold to Sears. Sears moved in by 1998.

Whittwood's department stores continued to thrive, but the mall as a whole continued to decline. Attempts to failed to sustain a short-lived WaldenBooks (closing late in the '90s) and an Old Navy (later moving to the re-developed Quad). Stores on the mall's interior contined to falter.

In 2004, the original Whittwood Mall closed, although the center's department stores remained open. With the exception of the major stores, the mall's buildings were torn down. Sav-On moved to a new location on the same property. The mall was replaced by "big box" retailers. Today the site has been re-named the Whittwood Town Center.

[edit] Transportation

There are a variety of bus routes operating within the city with Montebello Bus Lines and the Foothill Transit being the leading bus lines used within the city. Other bus routes operating in the city include the Metro as well as the city's very own shuttle, the Whittier Transit. The city also has a variety of freeways with the San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605) running right along the northern end of the city. California State Route 72 runs via Whittier Boulevard and forms part of El Camino Real.

[edit] Education

The city of Whittier is served by the Whittier Union High School District, East Whittier City School District, Whittier City Elementary School District and the Lowell Joint District.

Four high schools Whittier High School, La Serna High School, California High School and Pioneer High School all lie within the city. There is one alternative continuation high school Whittier Adult School, formerly known as Sierra Vista High School, and Frontier High School. Whittier Adult School belongs to the Whittier Union High School District.

Whittier is also home to Rio Hondo Jr. College, where students can complete their General Education at a much lower price than at a regular 4-year University.

The city also has three Catholic elementary schools K-8

St. Mary of the Assumption School
St. Bruno's Parish School
St. Gregory the Great School

All three schools are operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles with one (St. Mary of the Assumption School) being one of the largest Catholic elementary schools in Los Angeles County.

[edit] Media

Many city residents subscribe to or purchase the local newspaper, the Whittier Daily News. Other papers available for subscription or purchase include the Los Angeles Times and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

[edit] Trivia

[edit] Places

Rose Hills Memorial Park, considered to be the largest cemetery in the world, lies just outside of Whittier's city limits.
The Principia Discordia was revealed to its authors in the city's local bowling alley
Whittier is home to the following California Historical Landmarks 1:
- Pio Pico State Historic Park, California Historical Landmark No. 127: The Casa de Governor Pío Pico/Home of Governor Pío Pico, home of the last Mexican Governor of California.
- California Historical Landmark No. 646: Grave of George Caralambo, (Greek George):
- California Historical Landmark No. 681: Paradox Hybrid Walnut Tree:
- California Historical Landmark No. 947: Reform School for Juvenile Offenders (Fred C. Nelles School — Closed May 27, 2004 and currently being redeveloped for business and residential use)

[edit] Film and television locations

Various movies and television shows have been taped in the city including:

Back to the Future/Back to the Future Part II - Films starring Michael J. Fox. Whittier High School was used as the setting for Hill Valley High School.

Hocus Pocus - Film starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thora Birch and Vinessa Shaw. Parts were filmed in Uptown Whittier.

Father of the Bride Part II - Film starring Steve Martin. Parts were filmed in uptown Whittier.

The Wonder Years - Television series starring Fred Savage. The parade scene in the last episode was filmed in uptown Whittier.

The Next Best Thing- Film starring Madonna and Rupert Everett was filmed in the Whittier Hills.

Matilda - Film starring Danny Devito was filmed in East Whittier.

Bringing Down the House- Film starring Queen Latifah and Steve Martin was filmed at the Friendly Hills Country Club, in East Whittier.

Terminator 3 - Film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Various parts were shot in Whittier including in Rose Hills Memorial Park.

Blow - Film starring Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. Scenes were filmed at the Fred C. Nelles boys' correctional facility and in a residential neighborhood.

Masters of the Universe - Film starring Dolph Lundgren. Most of the movie was filmed in Whittier.

Walk, Don't Run - Film Directed by Henry Winkler. All of this movie was filmed at Whittier High School in 1980.

Ali - directed by Michael Mann, portions of which were filmed at a residence in the historic neighborhood near the uptown village.

South of Nowhere - filmed at the Fred C. Nelles boys' correctional facility.

The OH in Ohio - Film starring Parker Posey and Paul Rudd. Various scenes were shot in the city.

Big Fat Liar (2002)- Film starring Frankie Muniz, Amanda Bynes, and Paul Giamatti. One major scene was shot at a house on Greenleaf Ave in Uptown Whittier.

Disturbia (film) (2007)- Film starring Shia LaBeouf, Carrie Anne Moss, and Amanda Walsh. Was shot on Painter Ave, the deli scenes were filmed at "Our Cleaners" on Comstock Ave. in uptown Whittier.

[edit] John Greenleaf Whittier's dedication poem

Although John Greenleaf Whittier never visited the city, he did write a poem in honor of it:

"My Name I Give To Thee"
Dear Town, for whom the flowers are born,
Stars shine, and happy songbirds sing,
What can my evening give to thy morn,
My Winter to Thy Spring? A life not void of pure intent
With small desert of praise or blame;
The Love I felt, the Good I meant,
I leave Thee with My Name.

[edit] Notable residents

[edit] Entertainment

Brendon Baerg, Actor (Yes, Dear)
Andrea Barber, Actress (Full House)
Caprice Bourret, Supermodel
Joy Enriquez, Singer/Actress (7th Heaven)
Stacy Ferguson, Singer (Black Eyed Peas)
Haven, Adult Actress
Kathy Hilton, Actress/Socialite/Mother of Paris and Nicky Hilton
William Garwood, American stage and film actor and director of the early silent era in the 1910s
Long Gone John, Founder of Sympathy for the Record Industry
Mark Kostabi, Composer and artist
Roger Lodge, Actor (Host of Blind Date)
Martika, Singer
Tim Minear, Screenwriter/Director
Lorna Patterson, Actress
Merle Pertile, Playboy Playmate (January 1962)
Ron Shelton, Director (Bull Durham, White Men Can't Jump, Hollywood Homicide)
Eric Stoltz, Actor (Memphis Belle, Jerry Maguire, Pulp Fiction)
Geoff Stults, Actor (7th Heaven)
Tina Yothers, Actress (Family Ties)
X-8, Artist/Publisher
Chuck Prophet, Musician (Solo artist and founder of the band Green On Red)

[edit] Arts

Tim Miller, Performance Artist (Member of the NEA Four)
Diane Wakoski, Poet
"MC" Rich McCullar, musical artist and Stoop side gang member attended Whittier College

[edit] Government

George Allen, Former United States Senator (Virginia)
Louis Caldera, Former United States Secretary of the Army
Gabriel Green, Writer (Write-in United States presidential candidate)
Lou Henry Hoover, Wife of President Herbert Hoover
Richard Nixon, President of the United States (Played football at Whittier College)
Pat Nixon, Wife of President Richard Nixon
Pío Pico, Last Mexican Governor of Alta California

[edit] Miscellaneous

Milo Burcham, Aviator/Test Pilot
Carol Lay, Comic Strip Artist (Creator of WayLay)
Jennifer Syme, Long time girlfriend of Keanu Reeves. Killed in car crash. Movie Mullholland Drive dedicated in her honor.
Kerry Thornley, Founder of Discordianism

[edit] Sports

Shirley Babashoff, Olympic Gold Medalist (Swimming)
Chet Brewer, Former Negro League Baseball Player
Andy Etchebarren, Former Professional Baseball Player (Last man to bat against Sandy Koufax)
Nomar Garciaparra, Professional Baseball Player
Oscar de la Hoya, Boxer
Payton Jordan, Head coach of the 1968 United States Olympic track and field
Mark Kotsay, Professional Baseball Player
Dan Owens, Former Professional Football Player
Jamie Quirk, Former Professional Baseball Player
Ante Razov, Professional Soccer Player
Anthony Reyes, Professional Baseball Player
Kim Rhode, Olympic Gold Medalist (Double trap and skeet shooter)
Jim Zorn, Former Professional Football Player
Eddie Zosky, Former Professional Baseball Player
Bob Chandler, Former Professional Football Player