Downtown Compton is the major business district of
Compton, California. Downtown Compton started out as a thriving and safe environment throughout the early 1950s to the mid-1970s. When gang violence and robberies sparked in the 70s businesses began to move out and relocate leaving Downtown Compton a
ghost town
Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to:
* Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned
Film and television
* ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser
* ''Ghost Town'' (1956 film), an American Western film by All ...
. It is now home to many businesses, two shopping centers, and the
Martin Luther King Jr. Transit Center.
The
Metro A Line
The Metro A Line is a bus rapid transit line in the Twin Cities, Minnesota operated by Metro Transit. The A Line operates primarily along the Snelling Avenue corridor and travels through the cities of Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Falcon Heights, ...
light rail now runs through Downtown Compton making travel to the city much easier.
History
1950s–1970s
Throughout the 1950s to early 1970s, Downtown Compton was a major business district and home to many companies. During weekends, streets would be packed and filled with shoppers, especially during the holidays.
1970s–1980s
During the late '70s, the face of Downtown Compton began to take a drastic turn. Robberies and ongoing gang violence due to the primarily African-American street gangs, the
Crips
The Crips is an alliance of street gangs that is based in the coastal regions of Southern California. Founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969, mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams, the Crips were initially a single alliance ...
and the
Bloods
The Bloods are a primarily African-American street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. It is identified by the red color worn by its members and by particular gang symbols, includ ...
, businesses began to move elsewhere to avoid further problems.
1980s–1990s
During the late 80s, the face of
Compton began to change after the election of mayor Omar Bradley. This included the construction of the Compton Town Center. Around this time, the
Los Angeles Metro Rail system began adding the finishing touches to the
Blue Line that runs straight through Downtown Compton on the median of Willowbrook Avenue. This led to the construction of the new
Martin Luther King Jr. Transit Center, also located on Willowbrook along with
Compton station
Compton station is an at-grade light rail station on the A Line of the Los Angeles Metro Rail system. The station is located alongside the Union Pacific freight railroad's Wilmington Subdivision (the historic route of the Pacific Electric Rail ...
.
Recent years
Downtown Compton is now home to the following businesses.
*
Martin Luther King Jr. Transit Center
*Compton Town Center
*Renaissance Plaza
*Compton Courthouse
References
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Compton
Compton, California