“Ever wonder where the Apollo space program was born?” Today, we are standing in Downey California. Downey is a city with a rich history, especially its role in the U.S. space program. Downey’s story starts long before rockets.
Back in 1784, the area was part of Rancho Los Nietos. This was a huge Spanish land grant to Manuel Nieto. Later, it became part of the Mexican Rancho Santa Gertrudes in 1834. Then in 1859, James P. McFarland and John G. Downey purchased the rancho. John G. Downey was an Irish immigrant who even became the governor of California from 1860 to 1862. The city was officially founded in 1873.
Initially, Downey was cattle ranches and farms. It grew grain, corn, beans, mustard, and many fruits including oranges. In 1874, the railway arrived. This boosted the city’s access to markets. Downey also started selling poultry.
But Downey transformed in the 1920s. Agriculture started to give way to the aircraft industry. The city’s oil industry also grew. After World War II, light industry took hold. Downey became a key player in the U.S. space program.
Here in Downey, workers built Saturn V booster rockets. They also created lunar-landing modules for the Apollo program. Downey aerospace workers even built five space shuttles. Sadly, this included the Columbia and Challenger. These facilities closed in the late 1990s.
Today, Downey thrives on retail businesses and manufacturing. It is also home to the oldest McDonald’s restaurant that opened in 1953. Downey also hosts a large Coca-Cola bottling factory.
Downey’s influence stretches beyond aerospace and fast food. The city library has a collection dedicated to the Carpenters. This famous pop duo lived here in the 1960s. Downey has a municipal art museum that displays local and national artists.
Downey has many claims to fame. Downey is even known as the birthplace of Taco Bell.
The city was incorporated in 1956. As of 2020, the population was 114,355. Downey continues to evolve. It balances its historical roots with modern development. Next time you bite into a taco, remember it might have originated in Downey.