Inglewood, California
The Centinela-Inglewood Company put a four-horse coach on the road in 1887 to carry passengers from their office to Inglewood. The coach left at 9:30 am and returned at 2 pm for those wishing to see the property. Daniel Freeman acquired the rancho that year and founded the company to develop the city. Local historian Gladys Waddingham noted that the area was once used by Native Americans who relied on the Aguaje de Centinela natural springs. These springs took their name from the hills that rose gradually around them, allowing ranchers to watch over their herds. The first construction there was done by Bruno Ygnacio Ávila, who received a permit in 1822 to build a corral and hut for his herders. The area that is now Inglewood was divided into two rancho grants: Rancho Sausal Redondo and Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela. A train station opened for business on the 7th of September 1887, with stops including Ballona Junction, Nadeau Park, Baldwin, Slauson, Wildeson, Hyde Park, Inglewood, Danville, Mesmer, and Port Ballona. A train left Los Angeles at 9:15 am on the one-hour journey and returned from Port Ballona at 4 pm. Inglewood was incorporated as a city on the 14th of February 1908.
Labor troubles became a serious issue during the early years of World War II as local industries supplied the Allies. In 1941, the United Auto Workers won an election over the International Association of Machinists and represented all employees at the North American Aviation factory in Inglewood. UAW negotiators demanded a starting pay of 75 cents an hour plus a 10-cent raise for the 11,000 current employees. The UAW had made a no-strike pledge but suddenly a wildcat strike on June 4 closed the plant that produced a fourth of the nation's fighter planes. President Franklin Roosevelt sent in the California national guard to reopen the plant when Washington intervened. When Germany invaded the USSR in late June 1941, Communist activists became the strongest supporters of war production and crushed wildcat strikes. The B-25 final assembly line operated at North American Aviation in Inglewood in 1942. Aircraft workers took lunch breaks at the aircraft factory during this period. The company played a critical role in supplying the Allies with military aircraft throughout the conflict.
No blacks had ever lived in Inglewood according to historian Gladys Waddingham, yet by 1960 they lived in great numbers along its eastern borders. This development came to the great displeasure of the predominantly white residents already residing in Inglewood. Real estate agents refused to show homes to black people and a rumored curfew kept them off the streets at night. On the 22nd of July 1970, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Max F. Deutz ordered Inglewood schools to desegregate in response to a suit filed by 19 parents. At least since 1965, the school board had been aware of a growing influx of black families into its eastern areas but had done nothing about the polarization of pupils into an eastern black area and a western white one. Edward Vincent Jr. became Inglewood's first black mayor in 1983. Since his term from 1983 to 1997, Inglewood has consecutively elected African-American mayors including Roosevelt F. Dorn from 1997 to 2010, Danny Tabor from 2010 to 2011, and James T. Butts Jr. from 2011 onward.
The Forum was built in 1967 and designed by architect Charles Luckman who also designed Madison Square Garden. The arena hosted Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, and the Jackson 5 among other superstars for decades. It achieved its greatest fame as the home of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings until both teams moved to the Staples Center in 1999. On the 4th of April 2022, The Forum was renamed Kia Forum due to a naming rights deal between Steve Ballmer and car manufacturer Kia. SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 after construction began on the 13th of January 2016. The stadium will host Super Bowl LXI in 2027 and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Summer Olympics. Intuit Dome opened in August 2024 as the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers. The privately financed project includes the arena, the team's business offices, training facility, community spaces, and retail areas. Steve Ballmer announced plans to invest $100 million into the city of Inglewood as part of the arena deal.
Inglewood consists of 10 neighborhoods that are indicated by symbols on street signs including Morningside Park, Downtown Inglewood, Fairview Heights, Arbor Village, Hollypark Knolls, Centinela Heights, Century Heights, Inglewood Knolls, and Lockhaven. The Crenshaw-Imperial district has its own branch public library and an important shopping center for the area. North Inglewood is a neighborhood north of the former Santa Fe railroad tracks where the K Line currently runs. In 2009 it was reported to be the site of a burgeoning arts scene at East Hyde Park Boulevard and La Brea Avenue. Inglewood Knolls is situated in the southeastern corner of the city and is a subdivision of tract homes built between 1953 and 1954. A shopping center on the northeastern quadrant of the intersection of Crenshaw and Imperial was constructed in the mid-1950s originally including a Food Giant grocery store, Thrifty Drug, J.J. Newberrys, and Lishon's Music Store. Randy's Donuts stands near the San Diego Freeway as a landmark in Inglewood.
Tyra Banks became a fashion model, television personality, talk show host, and actress born in Inglewood. Brian Wilson served as musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer from the same city. Tina Campbell and Erica Campbell are American gospel singers and musicians who hail from here. Zoot Sims was a jazz saxophonist born in Inglewood while Christie Strait worked as a comedian there. Steve Saleen founded Saleen and became a racing driver after being born in the city. Fani Willis serves as district attorney of Fulton County Georgia having been born in Inglewood. The city has produced numerous athletes including NBA players Hassan Adams, Mark Eaton, and Jamal Sampson alongside NFL cornerback Cornell Armstrong. Local music scene includes rappers like 310babii, Mack 10, Swae Lee, and D Smoke. The Southeast Symphony Association is a non-profit musical association founded in 1948 to create an orchestra that welcomes African-American musicians.
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Common questions
When was Inglewood incorporated as a city?
Inglewood was incorporated as a city on the 14th of February 1908. This event marked the official establishment of the municipality after earlier development efforts by Daniel Freeman and the Centinela-Inglewood Company.
What major labor strike occurred in Inglewood during World War II?
A wildcat strike closed the North American Aviation factory on the 4th of June 1941, halting production of fighter planes that accounted for one-fourth of the nation's output. President Franklin Roosevelt subsequently sent in the California national guard to reopen the plant following intervention from Washington.
Who became the first black mayor of Inglewood and when did his term begin?
Edward Vincent Jr. became Inglewood's first black mayor in 1983. His tenure lasted until 1997, followed by consecutive elections of African-American mayors including Roosevelt F. Dorn, Danny Tabor, and James T. Butts Jr.
When did The Forum open and what is its current name?
The Forum opened in 1967 and was renamed Kia Forum on the 4th of April 2022 through a naming rights deal between Steve Ballmer and car manufacturer Kia. The venue previously served as home to the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings before they moved to the Staples Center in 1999.
How many neighborhoods does Inglewood contain and which are listed on street signs?
Inglewood consists of 10 neighborhoods indicated by symbols on street signs including Morningside Park, Downtown Inglewood, Fairview Heights, Arbor Village, Hollypark Knolls, Centinela Heights, Century Heights, Inglewood Knolls, and Lockhaven. The Crenshaw-Imperial district also features its own branch public library and an important shopping center for the area.