Modern history of Downey begins on October 13, 1873, when a 126 acre lot of Los Nietos township was filed at the Los Angeles recorders office by the Downey Land Association. The townsite was called Downey, after John G. Downey, California Civil War governor and president of the land company.
In the following year, on April 15, 1874, the first train reach Downey when the Southern Pacific Railroad began its run between Los Angeles and San Diego.
From 1865 to 1875, Downey progressed from a crude frontier to an agricultural and stock raising community. The fertility of the soil, abundant water supply and temperate climate attracted considerable attention.
The two original business centers, "Gallatin," and "College Settlement," consolidated near the new railroad in 1874. College Settlement was built around the Methodist "Los Nietos Collegiate Institute," first protestant college in the area.
The Overland Stage with its four horses, made daily deliveries of mail and passengers until outmoded by the "iron horse."
During the 1880's, the Los Angeles county fair was held in Downey, attracting visitors from a wide radius.
Arriving at San Francisco with only 10 dollars in coin, he pawned his watch to get transportation to the diggings. But after working in water to his knees, he decided that mining wasn't for him. So Downey determined to go to Los Angeles and start a drug store, even though he was warned that it was too healthy a place for such a venture.
Reaching San Pedro in 1850, Downey hired a carreta to convey his drugs to town, but when it broke down, he had to walk the 20 miles or more and carry his stock. With J.P. McFarland, he opened a drug store in a small adobe at Los Angeles and Commercial Streets. Soon he really was mining California gold--for patrons came from long distances, even from Sonora, in Old Mexico. A shrewd businessman, Downey soon was lending money at the high rates then current. It was not surprising that in a short time he was owner of the great St. Gertrude's Rancho, northeast of what is now Long Beach.
Downey took a great interest in politics of the Democratic Party. He held local offices, and served in the Legislature before becoming governor. When the Civil War broke out, he saw to it that California furnished the required regiments for the Union side. However, when it became known that his sympathies really were with the South, his popularity lessened. At the end of his term, 1862 he left public office forever, but continued to exert influence on the Democratic Party.
Since the great drought of 1863-64 had ruined the cattle industry, Downey believed the way out was to break up the great holdings and to sell tracts for small farms to newcomers. In the spring of 1865 he subdivided St. Gertrude's Rancho. He purchased a lot in Los Angeles and built a two-story brick mansion with the first private ballroom in town. Here the ex-governor and his wife the former Maria Guirado, gave fashionable parties that made their home the city's most important social center.
In 1871, with I.W. Hellman, Downey established the Farmers and Merchants Bank. Because plans had been completed to bring the Southern Pacific Railroad to Los Angeles, with branch lines out of the city, he foresaw the importance of communities along these railways. On his own ranch, he laid out a town and named the community Downey. The first home was erected there 1873. Two years later, Downey, now a prospers, flourishing city, had many homes, a hotel, two churches, a school, and a newspaper.
In 1874, he started East Los Angeles, using in his publicity such slogans as "Splendid Home sites for All." Among his many other accomplishments were the attracting of many immigrants to the region, bringing in the first artesian well in the district on some land near Compton, and being one of the founders of the Pioneer Oil Company.
He also helped organize the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce (then called the Board of Trade), the second horse car line in the community, and the Los Angeles Public Library.
Downey's life was saddened by a terrible railroad accident that occurred January 29,1883. He and his wife were on a southbound train that had stopped at Techachapi Station, near the summit of the Techachapi Mountains. The locomotive was detached and was taking on water when suddenly the train began to move down the slope, gained momentum, and at great speed plunged into a ravine below. The old-fashioned stoves and lamps set fire to the cars. More than 20 people died, and others were crushed and burned. Among those who lost their lives was Mrs. Downey. For years Downey suffered from nervous shock. He died in his home in Los Angeles about 10 years later.
Visit the The Time Traveler for stories about old Downey
Return to the Downey Home Page