Alhambra, California

Like several other cities in Los Angeles County, Alhambra, California became a settlement during the boom of the 1880s. Alhambra is located a few miles east of Downtown Los Angeles in the western San Gabriel Valley, near the cities of San Gabriel, San Marino, South Pasadena, Temple City, and Monterey Park. Alhambra was incorporated in 1903.

Jobs and the Economy

In 2010, Alhambra was awarded the "Eddy Award" by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation for Most Business-Friendly City in Los Angeles County with a population of 60,000 or more. Alhambra received the award, in part, due to the City’s commitment to economic development as a priority. Alhambra Auto Row features eight dealerships, including one of the largest Honda volume dealers in the United States. Several mixed-use projects have been developed in the City in recent years. Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, which has a large facility on Freemont Avenue, is Alhambra’s largest employer. Other major employers include AHMC Healthcare (which operates Alhambra Hospital Medical Center and employs more than 600 employees), and Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center (ELARC). ELARC is one of 21 Regional Centers in California devoted to providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities under contract with the California Department of Developmental Services.

Alhambra Place is a 120,000-square-foot retail center connected to “88 at Alhambra Place,” a large luxury apartment complex.

One local bank, a branch of Wing Lung Bank, which primarily serves the Chinese community, has one of the largest glass tile murals in North America installed on its façade.

Iconic Businesses The Hat

Among Alhambra’s most famous businesses is The Hat, a fast-food restaurant – marked by an old, iconic neon sign. The Hat, which opened in 1951, is famous for its pastrami sandwiches.

Twohey’s Restaurant

Twohey’s Restaurant – the “Home of the Little Stink-O,” which also has an iconic neon sign featuring a character named “Stink-O” – opened in 1943 and relocated to Alhambra in 1955.

History The Original Inhabitants of the Area

The native people who lived in the area have been identified by many names, including the Tongva, Kizh, Kichireños, Serrano, Tataviam. and Gabrielino. They lived in villages scattered through the region.

The Arrival of the Spanish

Beginning in 1769, Spain sought to assert control over the area that became known as Alta California (which includes what is now the State of California), by establishing a chain of mission churches and military forts (presidios) extending several hundred miles. Much of what is now Alhambra was included in the 1771 land grant made to the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, which was the fourth of what would be 21 Spanish missions founded in California.

The Naming of Alhambra

In 1874, Benjamin Wilson bought acreage in the vicinity, which he divided into lots. Benjamin Wilson named his real estate venture “The Alhambra Tract.” The name was inspired by “Tales of the Alhambra,” a collection of essays and stories by Washington Irving, brought about by his visit to the Alhambra complex in the City of Granada in southern Spain. Washington Irving is perhaps best known for penning the seasonal favorite “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

San Gabriel Winery Company

In the late nineteenth century, San Gabriel Winery Company became Alhambra’s first successful business, and at one time was considered the largest winery in California. The estate covered one thousand four hundred acres and included an exceptionally large wine cellar. The establishment was popular with tourists. During the 1890s a blight disease destroyed many of the vines. In addition, competition from vineyards in Northern California using more modern and cost-effective methods and offering superior products led to its collapse.

Modern Transportation Arrives in Alhambra

Southern Pacific Railroad built a station in Alhambra in about 1886. The Pacific Electric extended its interurban trolley system to Alhambra in 1902. In the 1920s and 1930s, the short-lived Alhambra Airport thrived. At one time, the airport featured what was then the largest airplane hangar in the world. The Ramona Expressway, the precursor to Southern California’s modern freeway system, opened in 1935. The approximately four-mile expressway allowed drivers to travel without any stops (and originally without a center divider) from central Los Angeles to the edge of Alhambra.

Alhambra Today

Now Alhambra, known as the gateway to the San Gabriel Valley, is an important business, cultural, and political center for the San Gabriel Valley with a population of over 80,000 residents. Author, Clive Cussler; musician, Kenny Loggins; artist, Norman Rockwell; model, Cheryl Tiegs; and actors, Mitch Vogel, and Jonathan Ke Quan, have all called Alhambra home at one time.

Parking

A valid parking permit or valid disabled placard is required when parking on any city street between 2 and 6 a.m. No parking is permitted between 2 and 6 a.m. on six major city thoroughfares: Valley Boulevard, Mission Road, Main Street, Fremont Avenue, Atlantic Boulevard, and Garfield Avenue. Parking restrictions for street sweeping also apply to city streets.

Government

Alhambra has a council manager form of government. The citizens of Alhambra elect city council members. The City Council decides important policy-related issues. The City Council also appoints a City Manager. The City Manager acts as the chief advisor for the City Council and as chief executive officer. The City Manager also directs and oversees City departments and staff. Members of the Alhambra City Council serve four-year terms. There are five City Council members, each of whom serves as mayor for a nine-month period. The largest City expenditure is for Public Safety. Alhambra Courthouse is a branch of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the largest unified trial court in the United States. Alhambra Library is over 45,000 square feet.

Contact Us

Our experienced attorneys provide aggressive, specialized legal services for wrongful termination, workplace sexual harassment, and wage and hour claims. We have years of experience in handling both individual and class action cases against employers. We also help those who have personal injuries in automobile and slip and fall accidents. Your initial consultation with our office is free, so call the experienced employment attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC or Contact Us via our online form.

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"Bruce Kokozian is the best lawyer in town! From the beginning, he was straightforward and honest with me about my case. He was sympathetic of my situation and fought aggressively for my rights. I understood all the details of the case, and was supported by the extremely nice and helpful staff. Overall, I am extremely happy with Bruce's ability to settle my case. I love Kokozian Law Firm for getting me everything I deserved out of my case, and for allowing me to get back on my feet and move forward!” Mary M.
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"Bruce Kokozian is the best lawyer in town! From the beginning, he was straightforward and honest with me about my case. He was sympathetic of my situation and fought aggressively for my rights. I understood all the details of the case, and was supported by the extremely nice and helpful staff. Overall, I am extremely happy with Bruce's ability to settle my case. I love Kokozian Law Firm for getting me everything I deserved out of my case, and for allowing me to get back on my feet and move forward!” Mary M.
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