Alhambra, California

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Alhambra, California
settlement_type = City


imagesize = 200px
image_caption =
image_

---

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Alhambra within Los Angeles County, California.


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = California
subdivision_name2 = Los Angeles
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Barbara Messina (Dist. 2)
leader_title1 = City council
leader_name1 = Steven Placido (Dist. 4)
Stephen Sham (Dist. 1)
Gary Yamauchi (Dist. 3)
Luis Ayala (Dist. 5)
established_date =
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 19.7
area_land_km2 = 19.7
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 7.6
area_land_sq_mi = 7.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
elevation_m = 150
elevation_ft = 492
latd = 34 |latm = 4 |lats = 55 |latNS = N
longd = 118 |longm = 8 |longs = 6 |longEW = W
population_as_of = 2000
population_total = 85804
population_density_km2 = 4347.7
timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
latitude = 34°04'55" N
longitude = 118°08'06" W
website = http://www.cityofalhambra.org/
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 91801, 91803
area_code = 626
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-00884
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1660243
footnotes =

Alhambra (pronounced [ælˈhæmbɹə] or [ɑlˈhɑmbɹə] ) is a city (incorporated on 11 July 1903) located in the western San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California which is approximately eight miles from the Downtown Los Angeles civic center. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 85,804. The city's ZIP Codes are 91801 and 91803 (plus 91802 for P.O. boxes).

Geography

At coor dms|34|4|55|N|118|8|6|W|city (34.081859, -118.135052)GR|1. It is bordered by South Pasadena on the northwest, San Marino on the north, San Gabriel on the east, Rosemead on the southeast, Monterey Park on the south, and the Los Angeles districts of Monterey Hills and El Sereno on the west. Major thoroughfares include Atlantic and Valley Boulevards, Mission Road,Fremont and Garfield Avenues, and Main Street. The San Bernardino Freeway (I-10) runs through the city's southern portions, and the Long Beach Freeway (I-710) has its northern terminus at Valley Boulevard in the far southwestern portions of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.7 km² (7.6 mi²), all of which is land.

History

Alhambra is named after Washington Irving's book "Tales from the Alhambra", not after the Alhambra palace itself. [ [http://www.cityofalhambra.org City of Alhambra ] ] Alhambra was founded as a suburb of Los Angeles in 1903.

Alhambra existed as an unincorporated area during the mid-1800s. The city high school, Alhambra High School, was established in 1898, five years before the city's incorporation. The Alhambra Fire Department was established three years later, in 1906.

Many quaint homes can be found on the city's streets, some with historical significance. These include common styles such as Craftsman, Bungalow, Spanish Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, Italian Beaux-Arts, and Arts & Crafts. The city also comprises a large number of condominiums, rental apartments, and mixed use residential/commercial buildings, especially in the Downtown area.

The main business district of Alhambra - at the intersection of Main & Garfield - has been a center of commerce since 1895. By the 1950s, it had taken on the upscale look of Wilshire Boulevard's Miracle Mile and was the "in" place to go in the San Gabriel Valley. While many of the classic older buildings have been replaced over the years, the revitalizationof Main Street has led to numerous dining, retail and entertainment establishments. Currently, the city is building both a new civic center library and water treatment facility. Meanwhile, a major new commercial development, anchored by Circuit City, is planned on the site once occupied by GMC, located on West Main Street--and other new developments are under consideration.

Over the years, Alhambra has experienced waves of new immigrants, beginning with Italians in the 1950s, Mexicans in the 1960s, and Chinese in the 1980s. As a result, a very active Chinese business district has developed on Valley Boulevard, including Chinese supermarkets, restaurants, shops, banks, realtors, massage parlors and medical offices. In fact, Valley Boulevard has become a national hub for many Asian-owned bank headquarters, although it also comprises other nationally-recognized retailers.

Each year, Valley Boulevard hosts the San Gabriel Valley Lunar New Year Parade and Festival, which runs from Del Mar to Garfield Avenue. The event is of such significance, it is broadcast live on Chinese radio, KWRM AM 1370 and later on worldwide cable and satellite TV.

The historic Garfield Theatre (on Valley Blvd and Garfield) was purchased and ran Chinese-language films, but in 2001 went out of business. Subsequently, developers have remodeled the dilapidated building turning it into a vibrant commercial center with many Chinese stores and eateries. "The Hat", a local icon offers its "World Famous Pastrami," also at Valley Blvd and Garfield.

On the western edge of town, the Ratkovich Company, which owns The Alhambra office complex, is moving forward with plans to build 351 condominium units on 10.5 acres, a parking structure and L.A. Fitness gym—valued at $190 million.

Education

Alhambra is home to the Los Angeles campus of Platt College, the Alhambra branch of Everest College (formerly Bryman), and the Los Angeles Campus of Alliant International University

Alhambra is home to the University of Southern California's Health Sciences Alhambra campus, site of the university's Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research (IPR) and USC's master's degree program in public health.

Primary and secondary schools

Alhambra is served by Alhambra Unified School District, which includes:
*Alhambra High School
*Mark Keppel High School
*San Gabriel High School (in San Gabriel)

Alhambra also includes the private, all-girls' Ramona Convent Secondary School.

Famous natives and residents

* Clive Cussler
* James Jannard
* Frank Pastore
* Norman Rockwell
* Dorothy Howell Rodham
* Phil Spector
* Mickey Thompson
* Cheryl Tiegs
* Verne Winchell
* Kenny Loggins
* Ron Cey
* Kazu Kibuishi
* Scott Conner
* Ralph Kiner, Hall of Fame Major League Baseball player

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 85,804 people, 29,111 households, and 20,668 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,347.7/km² (11,257.3/mi²). There were 30,069 housing units at an average density of 1,523.6/km² (3,945.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 47.22% Asian, 35.49% of the population Hispanic of any race, 16.25% from other races, 13.8% White, 1.67% Black or African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.10% Pacific Islander, and 4.01% from two or more races.

There were 29,111 households out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% 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 3.41.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,213, and the median income for a family was $43,245. Males had a median income of $33,847 versus $29,122 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,350. About 11.5% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In the state legislature Alhambra is located in the 22nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Gilbert Cedillo, and in the 49th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Mike Eng. Federally, Alhambra is located in California's 29th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +12 [cite web | title = Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest? | publisher = Campaign Legal Center Blog | url=http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html | accessdate = 2008-02-10] and is represented by Democrat Adam Schiff.

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofalhambra.org/ Alhambra's official website]
* [http://www.downtownalhambra.com/ Downtown Alhambra] Business Association
* Schools in [http://www.alhambra.k12.ca.us Alhambra]
* [http://www.alhambralibrary.org/ Alhambra Library]
* [http://www.alhambrachamber.org/ Alhambra Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zChCKxeVquM YouTube Virtual Tour of the Alhambra Historical Society Museum Part 1]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwKN-4dYfAI YouTube Virtual Tour of the Alhambra Historical Society Museum Part 2]