Did you know that Lomita was once called the Celery Capital of the World? That’s right. This unassuming neighborhood in southeastern San Diego was a major vegetable producer before World War II. We’re standing in Lomita today a place with a surprisingly rich history.
Lomita nestled between other San Diego neighborhoods is more than just a collection of houses. It has a story to tell a story of military families and a vibrant community. The early 1950s saw many military families settle here. That legacy continues to shape the character of Lomita.
But Lomita’s roots go deeper than that. Long before the houses stood here the land was part of the vast Rancho San Pedro. This enormous land grant bestowed by King Charles III of Spain stretched from the Los Angeles River to the Pacific Ocean. It encompassed much of what we now know as Lomita and several other cities. Disputes over land ownership were common in those days and Lomita’s location made it part of the conflict between the Dominguez and Sepulveda families. These conflicts played out in what is now Lomita Village.
The name Lomita itself meaning “little hills” in Spanish has a debated origin. Some say early developers named it from a hillside in Rancho Palos Verdes. Others believe it came from an earlier map showing “Lomita del Toro” little hills of the bull referencing the area’s wildlife. The Lomita we know today is much smaller than its original seven square miles. Torrance’s expansion after World War II resulted in much of Lomita being incorporated into that city. However Lomita residents fought hard for their community. They wanted to keep Lomita’s small-town feel. They succeeded in 1964 becoming an incorporated city.
Even Judy Garland had a Lomita connection. Her father Frank A Gumm leased the Lomita Theater in the mid-1930s showcasing his talented daughters. This theater stood on Narbonne Avenue near 243rd Street. This just goes to show that even seemingly quiet neighborhoods like Lomita have fascinating stories to tell. So next time you hear the name Lomita remember its history. Remember the celery its military families its struggle for independence and its unexpected connection to Hollywood royalty. That’s the Lomita story.