Downey, CA

Downey is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. The population was estimated at 126,095 in 2013 by the United States Census Bureau. Downey is also the home of Downey High School and the former home of the Hollywood Sign.

The first Europeans to explore and settle in what is now Downey were members of the Spanish Portolà expedition, who passed through on their way from San Diego to Monterey in 1769. In 1821, José Antonio Estudillo received Mexican land grants for Rancho La Brea and Rancho El Sobrante, both located in present-day Downey. These grants were later divided among his four sons. In 1884, Arthur Lettsome purchased 2,000 acres (8 km²) that included modern-day Downey from his brother-in-law John Rowland Simonds for $40,000.

In 1905 Rowland H. Sanger established an oil refinery on what is now called Refinery Row and began producing gasoline and other products locally. The first commercial airfield in Southern California was built at Downey in 1911 by Glenn L. Martin Company; it was originally named Martin Field after Glenn L. Martin's father-in-law, Atherton Martin. World War II brought new growth to the city when the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation opened its Plant No 1 here producing P-38 Lightning fighters and B-17 Flying Fortress bombers as well as countless other military aircraft parts needed for victory over Japan and Europe.

After World War II ended there was a great influx of people into Downey due to its proximity to Los Angeles which had become one of America's most populous cities; this has continued through much of the 21st century with new development coming on stream at a steady pace due to its excellent freeway access (I–5), low cost of living relative to other major metropolitan areas within California as well as being within close proximity to major entertainment venues such as Disneyland Resort Paris (just east down I–405), Universal Studios Hollywood (just north down I–105), Knott's Berry Farm (west down I–605) and Beverly Hills Hotel (northwest up Rodeo Drive).