Irwindale - Part of our Country's Foundation
Located in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, and just 20 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles, Irwindale is a small, thriving business community in the midst of one of the world's most productive regions!
The City is known as "Jardin de Roca," Spanish for "Garden of Rocks" because of the high quality of rock and gravel found here. The Irwindale Community was first settled by the families of Gregorio Fraijo and Fecundo Ayon during the 1850's. The land was a barren waste of rocks, sand and jack rabbits, but rocks later became a key asset to the area. Motor cars were becoming increasingly numerous in California, and the cry went up for improved roads, which, in turn, required vast quantities of crushed rock and gravel. In the 1950's the community became aware of the vast wealth from the rocks and sand - land their forefathers had thought no one would ever want. Currently, almost every highway in the State of California, and many highways west of the Mississippi River, have Irwindale rock as part of their foundation.
On August 7, 1957, the city of Irwindale was incorporated, making it the 56th incorporate city of Los Angeles County.
While here, visitors can visit our state of the art motorsports/entertainment venue, Irwindale Speedway, located in the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area of Irwindale. Here you will find 70-acre lake for sailing, swimming and fishing which is stocked with bass, trout and catfish as well as a children's water play area, picnic areas, trails for biking and hiking and campsites for youth groups. And, last but not least, for those that love fairs, fun and history, be sure to come to our annual spring Renaissance Pleasure Fair, where fantasy rules and fun is an abundant commodity!
We welcome you to our city, and we hope you enjoy your visit!
Source: City of Irwindale, Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area Website, Renaissance Pleasure Fair Website, Morguefile.com and Backgroundsarchive.com
