1886: Monrovia's Land Boom
- Monrovia's first major land boom escalated as town lot sales surged following the townsite’s opening earlier that year. A significant influx of investors from Los Angeles and Pasadena drove a dramatic increase in the construction of residential and commercial properties. By August, only months after the initial sale on May 17, 1886, (annual Monrovia Days) the community was flourishing, with buyers confident in its future as a premier Southern California destination. The very first lot purchase was made by Mrs. Katherine Wilson, who was living in nearby Duarte at the time. She purchased the northwest corner of Myrtle and Orange (now Colorado Boulevard)—one of the most prominent commercial corners in the new town.
- A distinctive policy set Monrovia apart from other speculative developments: founders mandated that lot owners build a residence within six months. This rule fostered a genuine community of residents rather than absentee speculators. During this summer of growth, water systems were designed, streets were surveyed, and thousands of pepper trees were pledged as construction continued at a high velocity.
- Public improvements also gained momentum in August. Plans for a railroad depot on Myrtle Avenue took shape, and work progressed on public buildings, churches, and a hotel. By the month’s conclusion, contracts for the first public school were finalized, signaling Monrovia’s transition from a mere land project to a true community. This momentum led to the city’s incorporation on December 15, 1887, distinguishing it as the fourth incorporated city in the county.
- Monrovia's first major land boom escalated as town lot sales surged following the townsite’s opening earlier that year. A significant influx of investors from Los Angeles and Pasadena drove a dramatic increase in the construction of residential and commercial properties. By August, only months after the initial sale on May 17, 1886, (annual Monrovia Days) the community was flourishing, with buyers confident in its future as a premier Southern California destination. The very first lot purchase was made by Mrs. Katherine Wilson, who was living in nearby Duarte at the time. She purchased the northwest corner of Myrtle and Orange (now Colorado Boulevard)—one of the most prominent commercial corners in the new town.
- A distinctive policy set Monrovia apart from other speculative developments: founders mandated that lot owners build a residence within six months. This rule fostered a genuine community of residents rather than absentee speculators. During this summer of growth, water systems were designed, streets were surveyed, and thousands of pepper trees were pledged as construction continued at a high velocity.
- Public improvements also gained momentum in August. Plans for a railroad depot on Myrtle Avenue took shape, and work progressed on public buildings, churches, and a hotel. By the month’s conclusion, contracts for the first public school were finalized, signaling Monrovia’s transition from a mere land project to a true community. This momentum led to the city’s incorporation on December 15, 1887, distinguishing it as the fourth incorporated city in the county.
1887: Preparation for Incorporation
- One year after its founding in 1886, Monrovia had evolved into a bustling town. The landscape now featured established businesses along Myrtle Avenue and organized religious congregations.
- By August 1887, Monrovia had grown from a promising townsite into a thriving young community. Just over a year after the first lots were sold, the population had reached approximately 500 residents. Churches representing several denominations had been organized, businesses lined Myrtle Avenue, hotels welcomed newcomers, and construction of homes continued at a remarkable pace.
1925: The Municipal Plunge
- Building the Municipal Plunge: During the summer of 1925, construction was progressing rapidly on Monrovia's beautiful new Municipal Plunge. Designed in the popular Spanish Colonial Revival style by noted architect Harold B. Dunn, the building reflected Southern California's architectural heritage while providing residents with one of the region's finest public recreational facilities.
- When completed later that year, the Plunge featured an indoor heated swimming pool, dressing rooms, spectator seating, and modern amenities that attracted swimmers from throughout the San Gabriel Valley. For decades, generations of Monrovians learned to swim, attended competitions, and enjoyed community events within its walls.
- Today, the building has been lovingly preserved as the Monrovia Historical Museum, allowing visitors to experience both its architectural beauty and its rich history while exploring thousands of artifacts that tell the story of Monrovia's past.
1926: The Birth of Route 66
- During August 1926, the nation was preparing for the official designation of one of America's most famous highways—U.S. Route 66. Although the familiar highway signs had not yet been installed, plans for the new transcontinental roadway were taking shape, linking communities from Chicago to Los Angeles.
- Monrovia became part of the original Route 66 alignment as the highway followed Foothill Boulevard through town. Travelers experienced a community that offered hotels, service stations, restaurants, and small businesses catering to motorists exploring Southern California.
- Within only a few years, increasing traffic would transform Route 66 into one of the nation's busiest highways. Monrovia embraced its role as a welcoming stop along the Mother Road, helping shape both the city's economy and identity for decades to come.
1930: Aviation Comes to Monrovia
- The summer of 1930 found Monrovia's newly established airport—known as Foothill Flying Field—buzzing with activity. Located near today's Huntington Drive and Bradbury area, the airport quickly became a gathering place for aviation enthusiasts during the exciting early years of flight.
- Pilots offered sightseeing flights over the San Gabriel Valley, while flying lessons introduced many local residents to aviation for the first time. Air shows, demonstrations, and visiting aircraft attracted spectators eager to witness the rapidly advancing technology of the "Golden Age of Aviation."
- Although the airport operated for only a relatively short time before closing in the early 1950s, it remains an important chapter in Monrovia's transportation history and reflects the city's willingness to embrace innovation during a period of tremendous technological change.
1945: Peace Returns Home
- August 1945 brought joyous celebrations to Monrovia as news spread that World War II had come to an end. Like communities across America, Monrovians gathered downtown to celebrate victory, wave American flags, ring church bells, and express relief that years of sacrifice were finally over.
- The celebrations, however, were tempered by remembrance. Nearly every family had contributed to the war effort, whether through military service, factory work, rationing, or volunteer organizations. Many local servicemen returned home during the months that followed, while the community honored those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
- The end of the war marked the beginning of a new era for Monrovia. Returning veterans helped fuel a period of rapid growth, new neighborhoods were developed, businesses expanded, and the city entered one of the most prosperous decades in its history.
- One year after its founding in 1886, Monrovia had evolved into a bustling town. The landscape now featured established businesses along Myrtle Avenue and organized religious congregations.
- By August 1887, Monrovia had grown from a promising townsite into a thriving young community. Just over a year after the first lots were sold, the population had reached approximately 500 residents. Churches representing several denominations had been organized, businesses lined Myrtle Avenue, hotels welcomed newcomers, and construction of homes continued at a remarkable pace.
1925: The Municipal Plunge
- Building the Municipal Plunge: During the summer of 1925, construction was progressing rapidly on Monrovia's beautiful new Municipal Plunge. Designed in the popular Spanish Colonial Revival style by noted architect Harold B. Dunn, the building reflected Southern California's architectural heritage while providing residents with one of the region's finest public recreational facilities.
- When completed later that year, the Plunge featured an indoor heated swimming pool, dressing rooms, spectator seating, and modern amenities that attracted swimmers from throughout the San Gabriel Valley. For decades, generations of Monrovians learned to swim, attended competitions, and enjoyed community events within its walls.
- Today, the building has been lovingly preserved as the Monrovia Historical Museum, allowing visitors to experience both its architectural beauty and its rich history while exploring thousands of artifacts that tell the story of Monrovia's past.
1926: The Birth of Route 66
- During August 1926, the nation was preparing for the official designation of one of America's most famous highways—U.S. Route 66. Although the familiar highway signs had not yet been installed, plans for the new transcontinental roadway were taking shape, linking communities from Chicago to Los Angeles.
- Monrovia became part of the original Route 66 alignment as the highway followed Foothill Boulevard through town. Travelers experienced a community that offered hotels, service stations, restaurants, and small businesses catering to motorists exploring Southern California.
- Within only a few years, increasing traffic would transform Route 66 into one of the nation's busiest highways. Monrovia embraced its role as a welcoming stop along the Mother Road, helping shape both the city's economy and identity for decades to come.
1930: Aviation Comes to Monrovia
- The summer of 1930 found Monrovia's newly established airport—known as Foothill Flying Field—buzzing with activity. Located near today's Huntington Drive and Bradbury area, the airport quickly became a gathering place for aviation enthusiasts during the exciting early years of flight.
- Pilots offered sightseeing flights over the San Gabriel Valley, while flying lessons introduced many local residents to aviation for the first time. Air shows, demonstrations, and visiting aircraft attracted spectators eager to witness the rapidly advancing technology of the "Golden Age of Aviation."
- Although the airport operated for only a relatively short time before closing in the early 1950s, it remains an important chapter in Monrovia's transportation history and reflects the city's willingness to embrace innovation during a period of tremendous technological change.
1945: Peace Returns Home
- August 1945 brought joyous celebrations to Monrovia as news spread that World War II had come to an end. Like communities across America, Monrovians gathered downtown to celebrate victory, wave American flags, ring church bells, and express relief that years of sacrifice were finally over.
- The celebrations, however, were tempered by remembrance. Nearly every family had contributed to the war effort, whether through military service, factory work, rationing, or volunteer organizations. Many local servicemen returned home during the months that followed, while the community honored those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
- The end of the war marked the beginning of a new era for Monrovia. Returning veterans helped fuel a period of rapid growth, new neighborhoods were developed, businesses expanded, and the city entered one of the most prosperous decades in its history.
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