About San Dimas, California
San Dimas was originally inhabited by a Native American tribe called the Tongva. Their settlements were mostly along the coastline of Los Angeles County, northwest Orange County,
and surrounding islands.
When the Spanish came to this area in 1771, they established the San Gabriel Mission. Indigenous inhabitants were converted and provided the Spanish labor. The land was hearty, and many orchards provided for the Spanish crown until 1833, when California fell into Mexico’s control and gave the San Gabriel Mission land to individuals.
In 1850, California became a state in the Union. San Dimas originated with Ygnacio Palomares and Ricardo Vejar, who were each given one of the aforementioned individual Mexican land grants. The two men used the land predominantly for sheep and cattle ranching, initially.
Economic downturns and their deaths led to new owners, who established a more conventional town setting to capitalize on the expansion of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley railroad lines in the 1880s. This contemporaneous modernization led to the phasing-out of livestock and new land usages such as wheat & citrus crops, the latter of which became particularly widespread.
Ironically, as an early adopter of modernity, San Dimas has now become renowned for its quaint evocation of early 20th-century small-town life, along with a lively equestrian subculture in recent decades. Demographically, those of Latine-descent account for over 1/3rd of the city’s current residents, and this shift has also played a vital & amp; vibrant role in much of local culture business during the 21st century.
San Dimas, CA FAQ
What is San Dimas, CA, known for?
Since becoming a city in 1960, San Dimas is currently renowned for its Western art, small-town atmosphere, and equestrian attributes. A. F. “Shorty” Feldbush and a number of other local volunteers hosted the Miss Rodeo California State Pageant in San Dimas during the 1990s.
Is San Dimas, CA, a good place to live?
Residents of San Dimas enjoy a dense suburban feel, and the majority own their homes. There are numerous eateries, coffee shops, and parks in San Dimas. San Dimas is home to many seniors and young professionals, and the locals tend to lean toward liberal. High praise is given to San Dimas’ public schools.
Is San Dimas rural or urban?
Since its inception in 1960, San Dimas has experienced tremendous expansion, changing from a mostly rural region to a well-balanced city with residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
Does San Dimas have a downtown?
Downtown San Dimas is known as “Western Village.”
What movies have taken place in San Dimas?
Changeling (2008), Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989), Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), Spinning Man (2018), Dark Blue (2002), The Sandpiper (1965), A Cowgirl’s Story (2017), and more.
How big is San Dimas?
San Dimas is 15.4 square miles.
