City Motto:

"Together We Grow"

Pico Rivera The place now known as Pico Rivera has a historical and significant role in the development of the state, more specifically, Los Angeles County. Historically speaking, the origins of Pico Rivera has been described as scattered villages in a place once believed to be called Sejat, according the research of John P. Harrington of the Smithsonian Institution and the oral history of the Awigna people recorded in 1841. The Awigna community seemed to have suffered no wants in this region since they had plenty of land and food like geese, rabbits, berries and acorns available to them. Spain knew about California for around one hundred sixty-six years before it engaged itself in a contest against Russia’s plans to colonize California. The Spaniards succeeded making it a buffer state, and on September 8, 1771 Europe arrived with the cross and sword in Pico Rivera around the modern San Gabriel and Rosemead Boulevards. These societal changes proved to be detrimental to the lives of the natives, but soon these newly established Californians would see trouble of their own. The American government set eyes on California for some time; in fact three prior battles were documented before the decisive battle on January 8, 1847 on Bluff Rd in today’s Rio Hondo River. The American forces were under the command of Commodore Robert F. Stockton, Stephen W. Kearny, and John C. Fremont while General Andres Pico, brother of Governor Pio Pico, and Jose Flores shared command in Mexico. Some blame California’s loss on Mexico’s unresponsiveness and lack of support to the small army, California’s ineffective cannon balls full of low-grade powder that malfunctioned, and the absence of firearms at their disposal. A low number of casualties were reported since the Mexican army surrendered soon after realizing the predicament they were in. California finally became a state in 1850 due to the American population boom of the time. The railroads were responsible for the rapid development of communities and the City of Pico Rivera. With at least three major rail lines completed in the late 1860’s, passenger competition grew stronger and fares drop to one dollar to travel from Kansas to Los Angeles, enough to attract new waves of migration. The futile land, employment opportunities, and sunny climate were among other reasons. Finally in 1958 the city of Pico Rivera emerged from the towns of Pico and Rivera. The first word, Pico, stands for the original landowner’s name and last Mexican governor of California. His term was interrupted by the American invasion; however, he managed to secure land and progress through profitable business ventures. He is one of Pico Rivera’s most important historical figures because of his contribution to the development of Pico Rivera. He owned most of Rancho Paso De Bartolo, an adobe called El Ranchito- known today as Pio Pico State Historic Park, and pioneered California’s first oil venture which later became known as the Standard Oil Company of California. In addition, Rivera was once part of Barton Ranch, owned by James R. Barton and farming community called Maiseland; some believe it got its name because it lay between the San Gabriel River and Rio Hondo. The rail system also revamped agriculture and the small local import/export industry. Early farming consisted of corn, cattle, hogs, then later included oranges, avocados, walnuts, and for a very short time even grapes were farmed (until a European plague killed the vines). Today the city functions as an industrial suburb that manufactures transportation equipment, chemicals, metal and wood products, as well as processing food companies. It consists of 20.65 sq. kilometers of land area with a population of 65,202 (Jan. 1, 2000), and is located 11 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Pico Rivera is accessible by Interstate 605, the Santa Ana (5) freeway, and the Pomona (5) freeway. The corresponding zip code is 90660 and has a 562 area code. It houses two libraries supported by the Los Angeles City Library Systems and contracts the Los Angeles Sheriff Department for their law enforcement needs. The El Rancho and Montebello Unified School Districts serve the pupils in Pico Rivera. Its elected mayor for 2000-2001 is Garth G. Gardener who has so far served eight terms with Pico Rivera.

by: Maribel Legaspi

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