Courtesy of:
Monrovia Chamber of Commerce
620 South Myrtle Avenue
Monrovia, CA 91016
Telephone: (626) 358-1159
As the fourth oldest general law city in Los Angeles County and the L.A. Basin,
Monrovia enjoys the stability, tradition and heritage few communities realize in Southern
California. Established in 1887 as an incorporated city, Monrovia has grown from a sparse
community of orange ranches to a lovely residential community of some 37,000 residents.
The city boasts a fine cultural background rich in tradition, yet progressive and forward
thinking in business and industry. It has become a center for industry and manufacturing,
businesses of all sizes and shopping.
It's beginning dates back to 1769, when all land in California became vested to the
King of Spain.
The first white man to visit the San Gabriel Valley, including Monrovia, was Don Gaspar
Portola, commander of the first expedition into the area in 1769. With him were two
missionaries from Father Junipero Serra's Franciscan order of Mexico, Juan Crespi and
Francisco Gomez, the former being the diarist of the expedition.
In 1771 the Franciscans established the San Gabriel Mission in this Valley. The mission
was a resting point for early California travelers.
In 1841 Governor Alverado gave title to two ranches, Azusa de Duarte and Santa Anita.
Monrovia is made of parts of these two ranchos. The Rancho Azusa de Duarte was owned by a
Mexican soldier, Andres Duarte. The other changed hands several times before the fabulous
multimillionaire, silver baron and rancher E.J. "Lucky" Baldwin subdivided the
Rancho Santa Anita. In 1875 Baldwin sold 240 acres for $30,000 to William N. Monroe,
Monrovia's founder and namesake.
People traveling between Los Angeles and San Bernardino Mission traveled "via
Monroe's Ranch." The city was established in 1886, and was called Monrovia. It later
was named "Gem City of the Foothills" because of its choice location and
excellent climate.
The town was incorporated under the leadership of prohibitionists who wished to control
the arrival of an unwelcome saloon. The first order of business for the newly formed
government was to pass a tippler's law, prohibiting the sale of alcohol.
In 1903 the Monrovia News was established. In the same year, the Pacific Electric was
opened providing transportation to and from Los Angeles, making it possible for Monrovians
to work in Los Angeles and have their homes in Monrovia.
In 1905 Carnegie funds became available and with the help of the Board of Trade
(forerunner to the Chamber of Commerce), and the Monrovia Women's Club, a bond issue was
passed to purchase the Granite Bank Building to be used as a City Hall, and to acquire
property for a public park. Many years later, 1956, the old Carnegie Library building was
torn down and the present library constructed. The library now boasts a book collection of
95,000 volumes. A city council managerial type government was instituted in 1923.
The Granite Building serves as the city hall, fire and police department facilities in
1961 and the fire department in 1974.
Monrovia High School gained a highly creditable rating in its early history. The first
school in Monrovia was built in 1887. It was located where Monroe School now stands, and
housed the entire elementary and high school student body. A new high school on the
property now occupied by Clifton Middle School was erected in 1905, and in 1912 was
greatly expanded by the addition of new buildings. In 1928 a high school to serve the
communities of Arcadia, Monrovia and Duarte was built. The same structure now serves only
Monrovia students, as the elementary and high school district were unified into one
district in 1961. The district now has one high school, one continuation school, two
middle schools and five elementary schools, and is part of the Citrus Community College
District. There are also three Parochial schools in Monrovia.
