Was Gardena truly named for being the only green spot? Some believe the city earned its name from its lush greenery. It was seen as an oasis between Los Angeles and the ocean. Welcome to Gardena. This city has a unique story. It is a blend of cultures and industries.
Gardena began as part of the Rancho San Pedro. Juan Jose Dominguez received this land in 1784. He got it for his military service. The Rancho San Pedro was about 43000 acres. Part of it became Gardena Valley.
After the American Civil War, veterans bought land here. Soon, ranchers and farmers arrived. Union Army Major General William Starke Rosecrans bought 16000 acres in 1869. His land was later subdivided and sold.
Gardena proper started in 1887. Real estate developers Pomeroy and Harrison subdivided the ranch. They anticipated the Los Angeles and Redondo Railway. Civil War veteran Spencer Roane Thorpe started the first settlement in Gardena in 1887. Railroads put Gardena on the map. This followed a real estate boom in the 1880s.
Gardena was once known as Berryland. This was due to its many acres of berries. The Strawberry Day Festival and Parade happened each May. However, World War I affected the berry industry. Other crops were favored because of the war economy.
Japanese Americans have long settled in Gardena. The city incorporated on September 11, 1930. This was to protect itself from a heavy county tax. It was imposed on a planned project at a park site.
From 1936 to 1980, Gardena had a local monopoly on legal cardrooms. Taxes from these cardrooms made up a third of the annual budget. As Los Angeles grew, many Japanese American families moved here. They occupied the new tract homes being built.
Gardena has a total area of 5.9 square miles. Over 99% of it is land. The Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve is in the southeast corner. This is a naturally occurring marshland.
Gardena is bordered by several communities. These include Athens, Harbor Gateway, Torrance, Alondra Park, and Hawthorne.
Gardena has a rich history of diversity. Until 2014, it had one of the highest percentages of Japanese Americans in the US. The Japanese Cultural Institute has been in Gardena since 1988. It offers cultural and social activities.
In 1942, the U.S. military moved Japanese residents to internment camps. Kiyoto Ken Nakaoka became the city’s first Nisei council member in 1966. He later became Gardena’s mayor in 1972.
Many Korean businesses were established in Gardena in the 1990s. This was because commercial land was more affordable here than in Torrance.
Gardena’s top employers include United Parcel Service Inc. Gardena Memorial Hospital and Nissin Foods.
Gardena is nicknamed Freeway City. Gardena is also known as The City of Opportunity. Gardena has evolved from an agricultural center to a diverse urban community. It has kept its unique character. Its history reflects the stories of many cultures. The story of Gardena is one of change, resilience, and opportunity.