The rich history of the City of San Gabriel dates back to 1771 with the founding of the Mission San Gabriel Archangel, a California State historical landmark, and establishes San Gabriel as the birthplace of the Los Angeles region. The Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, "Pride of the California Missions," founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1771, is the fourth of twenty-one California Missions, and has long been a center for culture and art. As the original and oldest settlement north of San Diego and south of San Luis Obispo, it is from San Gabriel that the City of Los Angeles and the greater metropolitan area were established.
Diversity is not new to San Gabriel. From its earliest days, the City of San Gabriel has been a place for people of different cultures, beliefs and values to come together. The community was created when Father Junipero Serra, a Spanish priest, and the Tongva (Gabrielino) Indians came together to build a magnificent Mission in 1771. It is located in the mid-west portion of the City within the City's historic core, which contains several other historic buildings and sites exhibiting Spanish, Native American and early American history. Since its founding, San Gabriel has opened its doors to people of all races and cultures.
This longevity and rich history has allowed the City to grow with pride, vision and imagination. By 1852 after American occupation, San Gabriel became one of the first townships in the County of Los Angeles. When the 1860 census was taken, there were only 586 persons listed. The City was incorporated as a general law city on April 24, 1913 with a population of 1,500.
Strong municipal services and specialized programs, such as one-stop development permitting and redevelopment assistance, distinguishs San Gabriel as one of the regions leading communities. The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, San Gabriel Unified School District, San Gabriel Police Department, San Gabriel Fire Department, senior and children programs and many others are success stories and testimonies to the City's vitality.
One of the community's great strengths is its diversity. Today, with a population of over 40,000, we are an even richer community of different cultures, religions and ethnicities. We continue the ideals and vision of the people who came before us and made San Gabriel what it is today. Together we pledge to continue to respect, protect and serve our city and our community. This is our common heritage -- this is our future.
Learn more about this city.
City of San Gabriel, CA official site
City of San Gabriel, CA Chamber of Commerce
City of San Gabriel, CA newspaper
County of San Gabriel, CA official site
State of California official site