History
The city of Rosemead is located on what once was rolling grassland between the Los Angeles River and modern day Pomona. Before the arrival of the Spanish in 1771, Native Americans from the Tongva and Gabrielino tribes lived on the land. The Spaniards first established the San Gabriel mission in the area between present day Montebello and Rosemead, but, because of flooding, moved it to modern San Gabriel in 1775. The mission continued to administer the land until 1834. By that time, the Mexican government gained its independence from Spain and chose to distribute the land to private citizens.
The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) concluded with the Treaty of Guadalupe, which ceded sovereignty of 525,000 square miles of land to the United States for $15 million. That land included what is now known as Southern California. Anglo-American immigration into the new territory followed shortly thereafter. The land in the San Gabriel Valley was ideal for raising fruits, vegetables, grain and feed.
John and Harriet Guess moved from Conway County, Arkansas into the San Gabriel Valley in 1852. In 1855, they camped on land which is occupied by the present day Savannah Elementary School. After renting land for a number of years, in 1867 the Guess family purchased 100 acres and named their new home Savanna. That land's boundaries were modern day Valley Boulevard to Marshall Street, and from Rosemont Boulevard to the Eaton Wash.
By 1861, Leonard J. and Amanda Rose had also settled in the San Gabriel Valley purchasing 600 acres of land located between present Rosemead Boulevard and Walnut Grove. Rose named his new horse ranch "Rosemeade" (Rose's Meadow) which later was adapted for the city as "Rosemead." Chicken and rabbit ranches, as well as small truck farms were established in the area and remained until the City incorporated on August 4, 1959.
Rosemead continues to grow in both business and population. Several large businesses are headquartered in our City. Edison International, Panda Express and Huy Fong Foods, Inc. are examples. The population includes a large number of Latinos and Asians (including ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese). One key to growth is Rosemead's location. In the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, it is just 12 miles east of Los Angeles, making all area attractions easily accessible. Major highways and nearby airports provide travel convenience. The Metropolitan Transit Authority and Foothill Transit also provide public transportation to the area.