San Dimas is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2004 census, the city had a total population of 36,200. The city historically took it's name from San Dismas Canyons at the northern end of present day San Dimas . San Dismas is spanish for St. Dismas, the crucified, repentant thief on the Cross.[6]
History
San Dimas, 1915
The earliest occupants of what is now known as San Dimas were the Native Americans Tongva are also sometimes referred to as the Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe, believed to have lived in the area along with other tribes for over 7,000 years before the first European explorers came to the area in the mid-1700’s. The first known exploration of the area was in 1774, when Juan Bautista De Anza passed through the area when traveling to Monterey from Mexico. The community originally developed in the early 1800’s, when it was known as La Cienega Mud Springs, so named because of local mud springs that made the area wet and swampy. Soon after, ranchers and other settlers began to populate the area, but it was the arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad in 1887 that La Cienega Mud Springs was first mapped. The resulting land boom resulted in the formation of the San Jose Ranch Company, which first laid out streets. Small businesses began to open soon thereafter, and the city took on a new name: San Dimas. Growth was rapid, and San Dimas soon became an agricultural community, wheat and other mid west crops were planted first, then orange and lemon groves covered the valley. At one time, four citrus packing houses and a marmalade factory were located in San Dimas. The Sunkist name originated here, first spelled "Sunkissed." [7]
Oranges were the major crop until the mid-1900’s, but is now better known for its small town and equestrian ideals, and its role in the movie "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." San Dimas incorporated as a city in 1960.[8][9]
In 1971, the San Dimas Golf Course was purchased.
In 1972, San Dimas Community Hospital opened its 92-bed facility.
In 1981, the San Dimas Swim and Racket Club was built next to San Dimas High School, according to the San Dimas Historical Society.
Geography
San Dimas is a suburb of Los Angeles nestled along the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 28 miles (45 km) east/northeast of the city and of the Pacific Ocean. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.6 sq. mi.. 15.5 sq mi (40 km2) of it is land and 0.1 sq mi (0.26 km2) of it is water. The city is traversed by Cinnamon Creek, which roughly parallels Arrow Hwy before meeting Cinnamon Falls near San Dimas Ave.
San Dimas runs along and southward from historic U.S. Route 66. Other major arteries include Arrow Highway (east–west) and San Dimas Avenue (north–south). The Foothill Freeway (I-210) connects it to Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley, CA-57 to Orange County.
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 34,980 people, 12,163 households, and 8,988 families residing in the city. The population density was 870.8/km² (2,255.7/mi²). There were 12,503 housing units at an average density of 311.2/km² (806.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.66% White, 3.30% African American, 0.69% Native American, 9.39% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 7.34% from other races, and 4.39% from two or more races. 23.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 12,163 households out of which 35.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% are married couples living together, 11.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% are non-families. 21.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.78 and the average family size is 3.23.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $62,885, and the median income for a family was $72,124. Males had a median income of $53,009 versus $36,057 for females. The per capita income for the city was $28,321. 6.3% of the population and 3.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.9% of those under the age of 18 and 11.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Landmarks and points of interest
San Dimas is home to Raging Waters theme park, one of the largest water parks in California.
Wayne Moses, professional and college football coach for the St. Louis Rams, USC, UCLA, Washington, Stanford, Pitt, San Diego State and New Mexico.[21]
