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C+History
History · Downey

Downey dates to 1873, and 2 of its places are on the National Register

More historic than 40% of U.S. towns · #218 of 847 in California. What drives it

Most of Downey was built recently: 4% of its homes predate 1940 and the median home dates from 1959. Its Register listings are the James C. Rives House and the Casa de Parley Johnson. Its Register listings are the James C. Rives House and the Casa de Parley Johnson. Below: 24 old photos and papers, maps from 1887 on, and the census since 1960.

1873founded
2on the National Register
4%homes built before 1940
24old photos & papers
45famous people
Add an old photoShare a memory
From Downey’s archive · credits on each photo
Quick answers

How Downey began

When was Downey founded?

1873

Downey dates its founding to 1873 (Wikidata). The census first counted it in 1960.

First census: 82,505 in 19602020 census: 114,355153 years

How historic is Downey?

C+

More historic than 40% of U.S. towns, on its age, its old homes and the National Register.

What drives the grade ↓
Founding year: Wikidata. First post office: 1876.The full story ↓
History grade

What drives Downey’s History grade

On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Downey is more historic than 40% of U.S. towns, #218 of 847 in California. Its National Register listings hold the grade up; its share of homes from before 1940 pulls it down.

C+
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Downey’s overall grade.
Founding era1873, from Wikidata: founded 1850–1899, an older era than 37% of U.S. townsC+Homes built before 19404.0% of homes (±0.9) · typical CA town 3.4% · U.S. 8.4%CNational Register2 listings, 4 historic buildings, 0.4 per 10,000 residents · typical CA town 0.0 · U.S. 2.4B+
All U.S. towns we grade (21,289)Ahead of 40%
NewerOlder
California towns of 2,500+ (847)Ahead of 74%

Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Downey ranks #267 on History.

Few California towns list much on the Register (a typical California town has 0.0 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Downey’s 0.4 sits above most of its state (68% of California towns have fewer) while its 4 historic buildings outnumber those of 68% of U.S. towns.

How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would range from C− to B−. The pre-1940 share (±0.9 points) is firm at this size. Two sources give 1873.

Founding year: Wikidata (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →

What stands out about Downey’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A town in old photos24 old photos, postcards and papers.On the map since 18968 editions of the USGS map, 1896 to 1981. Watch Downey change.Mapped building by building5 fire insurance maps, 1887 to 1907, drew every building in Downey.Famous sons and daughters"Weird Al" Yankovic, James Hetfield and 43 more were born here.
★ What stands out · By decade

Downey, decade by decade

One decade in the archive so far: the 1940s. Scroll each row; tap a photo for its story.

1940s24 items
Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final inspection of a wing for a "Valiant" basic trainer at Vultee's Dow…1940Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final inspection of a wing for a "Valiant" basic trainer at Vultee's Dow…1940Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Scrap metal at Vultee's Downey, California plant. At the Downey plant is…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Scrap …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Scrap metal at Vultee's Downey, California plant. At the Downey plant is…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Scrap …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Scrap metal at Vultee's Downey, California plant. At the Downey plant is…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Scrap …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Inspecting trainer landing gear at Vultee's Downey, California plant. At…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Inspec…Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Scrap pile being sorted at Vultee's Downey, California plant. At the Dow…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Scrap …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Sheet aluminum for warplane construction being sorted at Vultee's Downey…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Sheet …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Pressing parts for "Valiant" basic trainers at Vultee's Downey, Californ…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Pressi…Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Tubing used in aircraft production at Vultee's Downey, California plant.…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Tubing…Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Exhaust stacks for "Valiant" basic trainers at Vultee's Downey, Californ…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Exhaus…Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Fuselage sections for "Valiant" basic trainers at Vultee's Downey, Calif…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Fusela…Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Motor rings for "Valiant" basic trainers at Vultee's Downey, California …1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Motor …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Wings for "Valiant" basic trainers at Vultee's Downey, California plant.…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Wings …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Landing gears for "Valiant" basic trainers at Vultee's Downey, Californi…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Landin…Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final "Valiant" basic trainer assembly line at Vultee's Downey, Californ…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final "Valiant" basic trainer assembly line at Vultee's Downey, Californ…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final "Valiant" basic trainer assembly line at Vultee's Downey, Californ…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final "Valiant" basic trainer assembly line at Vultee's Downey, Californ…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final assembly of "Valiant" basic trainers at Vultee's Downey, Californi…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final …Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Sorting rivets in the conservation department of Vultee's Downey, Califo…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Sortin…Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Forming motor cowl rings for "Valiant" basic trainers at Vultee's Downey…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Formin…Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Assembling plumbing and wiring in "Valiant" basic trainers at Vultee's D…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Assemb…Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Woman bucking rivets on a "Valiant" basic trainer at Vultee's Downey, Ca…1942Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Woman …
1950s–1990snothing yet
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Add from your album
On the map

Downey on the map, 1896 to 1981

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Downey. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Downey on the 1896 USGS mapDowney on the 1902 USGS mapDowney on the 1923 USGS mapDowney on the 1936 USGS mapDowney on the 1949 USGS mapDowney on the 1964 USGS mapDowney on the 1972 USGS mapDowney on the 1981 USGS map1896Downey sheet · 1:62,500

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Downey.

Every building

Downey, building by building, 1887–1907

Fire insurance maps drew every building, what it was made of and what it was used for, so insurers could price the risk of fire. Pick a year, then a sheet.

Downey fire insurance map, 1887, sheet 11887Sheet 1 of 1
Edition
Sheets
BrickWoodStone

Sanborn Map Company, via the Library of Congress. Editions published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.

The story

How Downey came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Downey.

Read it all →

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel was initially founded on September 8, 1771, near settlements of the Tongva people. It was located in the Whittier Narrows on a bluff overlooking the Rio Hondo, near the modern intersection of San Gabriel Blvd and Lincoln Avenue. After five years, flooding forced the relocation of the mission to its present site in San Gabriel.

Chapters18th century to World War IIGallatinAfter World War II

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

From the old history books

What they wrote about Downey in 1889

Passages that mention Downey, cut from the printed page as they were published.

mention of the pioneer whose name is at the head of this sketch. He is now one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of the city of Downey. Every one in this part of the county knows Mr. Cheney and his excellent
An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future ... and biographical mention of many of it1889Read the page →
Read the text

mention of the pioneer whose name is at the head of this sketch. He is now one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of the city of Downey. Every one in this part of the county knows Mr. Cheney and his excellent

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
1827, and, forming a partnership with George Rice, opened the first store of general merchandise in the town, on Main street, where the Downey Block now stands. Dissolving partnership about 1831, Temple continued in the business till about 1846. Later he leased a mint in the city of Mexico tor ten …
An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California1889Read the page →
Read the text

1827, and, forming a partnership with George Rice, opened the first store of general merchandise in the town, on Main street, where the Downey Block now stands. Dissolving partnership about 1831, Temple continued in the business till about 1846. Later he leased a mint in the city of Mexico tor ten years, and refused an offer of $1,000,000 for it. About 1830 he

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
After a short stay in Los Angeles he located in Downey, where he remained until November of that year, when he purchased five acres of land at the Azusa, and took up his residence about one-half mile north of the present town of Gladstone, upon Citrus avenue. There he engaged in his calling as a bo…
An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future ... and biographical mention of many of it1889Read the page →
Read the text

After a short stay in Los Angeles he located in Downey, where he remained until November of that year, when he purchased five acres of land at the Azusa, and took up his residence about one-half mile north of the present town of Gladstone, upon Citrus avenue. There he engaged in his calling as a boot and shoe maker, and also occupied himself in horticultural pursuits and in

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
After a short stay in Los Angeles he located in Downey, where he remained until November of that year, when he purchased five acres of land at the Azusa, and took up his residence about one-half mile north of the present town of Gladstone, upon Citrus avenue. There he engaged in his callingas a boo…
An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California1889Read the page →
Read the text

After a short stay in Los Angeles he located in Downey, where he remained until November of that year, when he purchased five acres of land at the Azusa, and took up his residence about one-half mile north of the present town of Gladstone, upon Citrus avenue. There he engaged in his callingas a boot and shoe maker, and also occupied himself in horticultural pursuits and in

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.

Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.

Timeline

Downey, 1873 to 1989

Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.

  1. 19th century
  2. 1873
    FoundingDowney is established
  3. 1876Post officeThe Downey post office opens
  4. 1896On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
  5. 20th century
  6. 1940In the archiveProduction. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final inspection of a wing for a "Valiant"…
  7. 1959Born here"Weird Al" Yankovic is born here
  8. 1963Born hereJames Hetfield is born here
  9. 1975Born hereAlanna Ubach is born here
  10. 1989Born hereAimee Teegarden is born here
Then & now

Stand where they stood

No then-and-now pairs yet. Take a photo from the same spot as an old one and they appear here side by side.

Production. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final inspection of a wing for a "Valiant" basic trainer at Vultee's Dow…
Retake this viewProduction. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic trainers. Final inspection of a wing for a "Valiant" basic trainer at Vultee's Dow…, 1940

Find the spot, match the angle, and add your photo. It becomes the first then-and-now pair on Downey’s page.

Retake this view · +15
On the National Register

2 historic places in Downey

The country’s official list of buildings and places worth saving.

places listed
2
National Historic Landmarks
0
none yet
historic buildings protected
4
each building in a district counts
first listed
1978
James C. Rives House
James C. Rives HouseCasa de Parley Johnson
Buildings

Architectural styles listings

Georgian Revival1
Spanish Colonial Revival1
James C. Rives HouseGeorgian Revival
Casa de Parley JohnsonSpanish Colonial Revival

National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each place’s page.

People over time

Downey, census by census

020,00040,00060,00080,000100,000120,0001960198020002020Peak: 114,355

Between 82,505 and 114,355 people in every census since 1960.

7 censuses, 1960–2020.

U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Downey’s Wikipedia page.

Famous people

45 famous people were born in Downey

Writers, athletes, leaders and more, ranked by how widely they’re known.

See all →
"Weird Al" YankovicAmerican comedy musician · b. 1959
James HetfieldAmerican guitarist and singer · b. 1963
Aimee TeegardenAmerican actress · b. 1989
Alanna UbachAmerican actress · b. 1975
Wayne RaineyAmerican motorcycle racer · b. 1960
Dan HendersonAmerican mixed martial artist and former Olympi… · b. 1970
Help out

Finish Downey’s story

Most archives stop around 1920. The photos from after that are in family albums, not libraries.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
1 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
Retake an old viewProduction. BT-13A ("Valiant") basic tr…: stand where they stood+15Share a family photoSign in to add one+10
Stories next door

History across the town line

Each neighbor’s History grade, on the same three inputs.

South GateIts storyCBellflowerIts storyC−Norwalk2 historic placesC+Santa Fe Springs2 historic placesC+Bell GardensIts storyC−ParamountIts storyDPico Rivera1 historic placeC−CommerceIts storyD

Questions about Downey’s history

What year was Downey founded?

In 1873, according to Wikidata. Downey’s post office opened in 1876, and the census of 1960 counted 82,505 people here.

How does Downey rank for history?

Downey is more historic than 40% of U.S. towns, #218 of 847 in California. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.

What is on the National Register in Downey?

Two places: the James C. Rives House (listed 1978) and the Casa de Parley Johnson (1986).

How old are the homes in Downey?

4% of Downey’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate), against a typical 3.4% for a California town; the median home was built in 1959.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

From the Library of Congress (24), the National Register of Historic Places (2), Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System, Sanborn fire insurance maps (Library of Congress) and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.