Glendora is a city in the
San Gabriel Valley
The San Gabriel Valley (), sometimes referred to by its initials as SGV, is one of the principal valleys of Southern California, with the city of Los Angeles directly bordering it to the west and occupying the vast majority of the southeastern ...
in
Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County, officially the County of Los Angeles and sometimes abbreviated as LA County, is the List of United States counties and county equivalents, most populous county in the United States, with 9,663,345 residents estimated in 202 ...
, east of
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
. As of the
2020 census, the population of Glendora was 52,558. World-famous
Route 66 runs through the city.
Known as the "Pride of the Foothills", Glendora is
nestled in the foothills of the
San Gabriel Mountains
The San Gabriel Mountains () are a mountain range located in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, California, United States. The mountain range is part of the Transverse Ranges and lies between the Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert ...
. Its downtown area, locally known as the Glendora Village, hosts dozens of restaurants, cafes, shops, and boutiques along Glendora Avenue with many community events scheduled throughout the year.
Neighborhoods and residences in Glendora reflect the city's history and range from
Queen Annes, to
Folk Victorians, early 20th-century
bungalows, to
ranch style homes, to mid-rise
multi-family residential
Multifamily residential, also known as multidwelling unit (MDU), is a classification of housing where multiple separate housing units for residential inhabitants are contained within one building or several buildings within one complex. Units can ...
complexes, to modern mansions. Glendora's most expensive neighborhoods contain many very large, secluded, estate homes with views across the San Gabriel Valley to
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) is the central business district of the city of Los Angeles. It is part of the Central Los Angeles region and covers a area. As of 2020, it contains over 500,000 jobs and has a population of roughly 85,000 residents ...
.
Glendora is bordered by
Azusa and the unincorporated community of
Citrus
''Citrus'' is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the family Rutaceae. Plants in the genus produce citrus fruits, including important crops such as oranges, mandarins, lemons, grapefruits, pomelos, and limes.
''Citrus'' is nativ ...
to the west,
San Dimas to the east and south,
Covina
Covina (Help:IPA/English, /koviːnə/) is a city in the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles
The population was 51,268 according to the 2020 United States census, 2020 ...
and the unincorporated community of
Charter Oak to the south, and the
San Gabriel Mountains
The San Gabriel Mountains () are a mountain range located in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, California, United States. The mountain range is part of the Transverse Ranges and lies between the Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert ...
, including protected areas within the
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, to the north.
History
Early inhabitants
The first archaeological evidence of human settlement in Glendora dates from . Around 3500 BCE, the
Takic people moved into the area. By the time Europeans arrived in present-day Los Angeles County, the
Tongva
The Tongva ( ) are an Indigenous peoples of California, Indigenous people of California from the Los Angeles Basin and the Channel Islands of California, Southern Channel Islands, an area covering approximately . In the precolonial era, the peop ...
, also known as the
Kizh or the Gabrieleños, were the dominant group.
In the foothills and inland areas (such as present-day Glendora), Tongva settlement patterns included both permanent village sites and seasonal camps, usually located near reliable water sources like streams or springs. The nearest villages to modern Glendora were
Asuksa-nga (meaning "Skunk-place") along the
San Gabriel River in present-day
Azusa and
Duarte, and Momwamomutn-gna (meaning "Place of many springs") in present-day San Dimas. What is now Glendora was the site of seasonal camps and hunting grounds, particularly near the
intermittent streams around Dalton Canyon.

Tongva daily life was closely tied to the land’s resources. They were primarily hunters and gatherers rather than farmers. The abundant oak woodlands of the San Gabriel foothills provided acorns as a dietary staple; acorns were shelled, ground on stone mortars, and leached to make a nourishing acorn mush. Along rivers and marshes, Tongva people gathered wild seeds such as
chia sage, berries, and herbs. In inland communities like the Glendora area, protein came from hunting and trapping local game like deer, rabbits, and birds. Trade with neighboring tribes was well-developed; the Tongva were notable as one of the wealthiest and most influential indigenous groups in Southern California, exchanging goods like steatite (soapstone) bowls, shells, and other items in a far-reaching trade network. This network connected them with peoples as far away as the
Yokuts of the Central Valley and the tribes of the Colorado River, illustrating how Tongva economic and cultural influence extended beyond their immediate homeland.
Daily life in a Tongva village was structured around communal and familial activities. Tongva dwellings (called ''kich'' or ''kiiğa'') were dome-shaped structures made of willow branches and thatched with tule or other grasses. These homes had a central fire pit and a smoke hole at the top for ventilation. Villages typically ranged from a few dozen to a hundred people, and early Spanish observers noted that each village was politically autonomous under its own chief, yet linked to others by kinship and language. Men and women both had important economic roles: men often did most of the hunting and fishing, while women were expert foragers and skilled in processing plant foods and weaving baskets. Both sexes wore their hair long and adorned their bodies with tattoos and paint. Clothing was minimal in the warm Southern California climate—men often wore little more than a breechcloth, and women wore skirts made of deer hide or woven fiber. In cooler weather, they draped themselves in capes or cloaks made from animal skins, and sandals woven from yucca fiber or hide protected their feet. Tongva spiritual life was rich, with ceremonies marking events like the summer solstice and communal mourning rituals for the dead. They had deep knowledge of local plants for food, medicine, and materials, reflecting a relationship with the land that was both practical and spiritual.
When the
Spanish arrived in the 1770s, the Tongva population in the entire Los Angeles Basin, including the San Gabriel Valley, is estimated to have been between 5,000 and 10,000 people.
Spanish period (1769–1821)
Following the discovery of islands in what we now call the Caribbean by
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus (; between 25 August and 31 October 1451 – 20 May 1506) was an Italians, Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Genoa who completed Voyages of Christopher Columbus, four Spanish-based voyages across the At ...
in 1492, a dispute arose between
Castille (Spain) and
Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...
about which kingdom would own new lands discovered to the west of the Atlantic Ocean. This was resolved by the
''Inter caetera'' Papal bull
A papal bull is a type of public decree, letters patent, or charter issued by the pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the leaden Seal (emblem), seal (''bulla (seal), bulla'') traditionally appended to authenticate it.
History
Papal ...
from
Pope Alexander VI
Pope Alexander VI (, , ; born Roderic Llançol i de Borja; epithet: ''Valentinus'' ("The Valencian"); – 18 August 1503) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 11 August 1492 until his death in 1503.
Born into t ...
, which divided all newly discovered lands outside Europe between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Crown of Castile, along a meridian 100
leagues (370 miles/600 kilometers) west of the Cape Verde islands. This gave Portugal most of Africa and Asia, and most of the
Americas
The Americas, sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North America and South America.''Webster's New World College Dictionary'', 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. When viewed as a sing ...
to Castille (Spain). Although theoretically already granted this land by the Pope, California's Spanish colonial era began in 1542 when
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo (; 1497 – January 3, 1543) was a Portuguese maritime explorer best known for investigations of the west coast of North America, undertaken on behalf of the Spanish Empire. He was the first European to explore presen ...
, commissioned by Viceroy
Antonio de Mendoza, became the first European to explore and claim the entire California coast for Spain. Thereafter, Spain took no action to solidify its claims over
Alta California
Alta California (, ), also known as Nueva California () among other names, was a province of New Spain formally established in 1804. Along with the Baja California peninsula, it had previously comprised the province of , but was made a separat ...
(the present-day U.S. states of California, Nevada, and neighboring areas) for over two centuries. By the late 1760s, concerned about Russian and French colonial ambitions, Spain began efforts to establish permanent settlements and fortifications in Alta California. In 1769, an expedition under
Gaspar de Portolá, appointed "Governor of the Californias," commenced the founding of a network of
missions,
pueblos (civilian settlements), and
presidios (military outposts).
Junípero Serra, leader of the Franciscan missionaries, managed the religious conversion and daily activities at these missions. To strengthen the sparse colonial population, Spanish authorities allowed and encouraged non-Spanish settlers to establish themselves in California.
Spain’s colonial system in California, including land grants (ranchos), missions, and presidios, followed a pattern of indirect governance and religious conversion inspired by the
Iqta' system used by Muslim conquerors during their
rule in Spain (711–1492). The area of modern Glendora fell under the jurisdiction of
Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, founded in 1771, which had direct ecclesiastical and administrative oversight, including managing local affairs, overseeing agricultural production, and compelling local Tongva peoples into labor under harsh, slave-like conditions. The indigenous population had no natural immunity to
Old World
The "Old World" () is a term for Afro-Eurasia coined by Europeans after 1493, when they became aware of the existence of the Americas. It is used to contrast the continents of Africa, Europe, and Asia in the Eastern Hemisphere, previously ...
diseases introduced by settlers, in particular
small pox
Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by Variola virus
A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living Cell (biology), cells of an organism. Viruses infect all life forms, from animals and pla ...
, or by their
livestock
Livestock are the Domestication, domesticated animals that are raised in an Agriculture, agricultural setting to provide labour and produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, Egg as food, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. The t ...
(which brought
influenza
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms range from mild to severe and often include fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, and fatigue. These sympto ...
,
anthrax
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium '' Bacillus anthracis'' or ''Bacillus cereus'' biovar ''anthracis''. Infection typically occurs by contact with the skin, inhalation, or intestinal absorption. Symptom onset occurs between one ...
,
leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a blood infection caused by the bacterium ''Leptospira'' that can infect humans, dogs, rodents and many other wild and domesticated animals. Signs and symptoms can range from none to mild (headaches, Myalgia, muscle pains, a ...
, and
bovine tuberculosis), resulting in major population declines.
The nearest colonial civilian settlement to present-day Glendora was
El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles (present-day Los Angeles), founded in 1781. Beyond the relatively small contingents of soldiers at the pueblo and at the mission, military protection for the region was provided by presidios at
San Diego
San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...
(founded in 1769) and
Santa Barbara (founded in 1782). Glendora during this period was sparsely-populated except for free-roaming cattle and seasonal use by the dwindling population of Tongva who had not been forcibly brought to live near, and put in service of, the San Gabriel Mission.
By the end of the Spanish period (circa 1820–1821), the Tongva population of the Los Angeles Basin, including the San Gabriel Valley, had dramatically declined from an estimated 5,000–10,000 in pre-contact times to approximately 1,500 individuals, largely due to the introduction of Old World diseases, the disruption of traditional ways of life, and harsh conditions under missionization.
Mexican period (1821–1848)
After 11 years of struggle, Mexico gained
independence from Spain on September 27, 1821. California remained a remote frontier territory with minimal oversight from the newly established Mexican government. Due to political instability and administrative difficulties, Mexico did not formally appoint a fully recognized governor for California until 1824, when
Luis Antonio Argüello took office; however, his authority was initially limited by poor communication, political uncertainty across Mexico, and California’s geographic isolation, leaving local communities largely responsible for their own governance. The management of land and settlement remained informal, with boundaries defined loosely by natural landmarks, and taxation often fulfilled through contributions of livestock or goods rather than uniform cash payments. This informal governance set the stage for significant challenges when California later transitioned to American rule.
The lack of oversight and clear governance proved ominous for the prosperity of the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, which presided over present-day Glendora. Controlling approximately 1.5 million acres of some of the richest land with the best water supplies in the region, it was one of the wealthiest of the California missions. Between 1829 and 1833, due to inadequate supervision, corruption among local authorities, and widespread cattle rustling, the Mission’s livestock declined dramatically from over 25,000 head of cattle to fewer than 15,000. Soldiers, ranchers, and settlers took advantage of the weakening authority of the Franciscan priests, who had few means to protect Mission resources without effective military support from the Mexican troops, many of whom participated in or overlooked the theft.
In August 1833, this deteriorating situation culminated in the
Decree for the Secularization of the Missions of California. Motivated by concerns that the missions, still operated by Spanish-born Franciscan clergy presumably loyal to Spain and the Catholic Church, could perpetuate Spanish influence and undermine independence, the Mexican government transferred control of Church land holdings to the territorial government in
Monterey. The decree officially intended to emancipate Indigenous peoples from conditions resembling slavery and redistribute mission lands to them. However, in practice, very few Indigenous Californians received any land anywhere in the Alta California territory. The Mexican government allowed the padres to keep only the church, priests' quarters, and priests' garden. The army troops guarding the Mission were dismissed.
With the Franciscans' oversight removed, Mission San Gabriel’s remaining herds of cattle rapidly disappeared, taken by local rancheros, settlers, soldiers, and even former mission administrators. The few remaining priests were powerless to stop them as they now lacked both the authority and manpower to enforce control. This chaotic transition facilitated the ambitions of influential settlers, soldiers, and rancheros with connections to the Mexican authorities in Monterey, resulting in large ranchos owned by a few powerful families.
In 1837, Governor
Juan Bautista Alvarado granted the
Rancho San José (approximately 22,000 acres) to Ygnacio Palomares and Ricardo Vejar, encompassing southern portions of present-day Glendora as well as areas now known as Pomona and San Dimas. In 1841, another tract including the western parts of present-day Glendora,
Rancho El Susa, was granted to Luis Arenas. In 1844, English immigrant Henry Dalton purchased Rancho El Susa from Arenas and acquired a one-third stake in Rancho San José. Dalton renamed his property Rancho Azusa de Dalton, establishing vineyards, orchards, and livestock herds. Central and northern Glendora remained public land for
open range cattle grazing.
By the end of the Mexican period in 1848, the Tongva population in the entire Los Angeles Basin, including the San Gabriel Valley, had further declined to approximately 800 individuals, reflecting continued displacement, harsh labor conditions on ranchos, epidemics, and marginalization under Mexican governance.
American Period (1848–present)
End of the Rancho era and land disputes (1848–1870)
The conclusion of the
Mexican–American War
The Mexican–American War (Spanish language, Spanish: ''guerra de Estados Unidos-México, guerra mexicano-estadounidense''), also known in the United States as the Mexican War, and in Mexico as the United States intervention in Mexico, ...
in 1848 and the cession of California to the United States brought severe challenges for ranchero landowners, including the
Californio
Californios (singular Californio) are Californians of Spaniards, Spanish descent, especially those descended from settlers of the 17th through 19th centuries before California was annexed by the United States. California's Spanish language in C ...
families in the Glendora area. The 1848
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo pledged that Mexican-era land grants would be respected, but a significant challenge soon arose because Spanish and Mexican authorities in California had used informal systems to define land boundaries, relying on personal relationships and natural landmarks such as hills, streams, and trees. Formal
cadastral surveying techniques were viewed as unnecessary in the sparsely populated region. When California became part of the United States, American authorities required precise land surveys and uniform taxation, creating substantial legal and financial burdens for Californio rancheros, who were accustomed to the earlier informal methods. Many rancheros, including local landowner Henry Dalton, faced protracted legal disputes as they struggled to prove ownership of lands previously informally documented.
The federal
Land Act of 1851 required all holders of Spanish or Mexican land grants to file claims and prove their titles before a special
Public Land Commission and U.S. courts, or else forfeit their lands. This process proved lengthy and costly, often lasting over a decade and involving significant expenses for attorneys, translators, and surveyors. Moreover, California's new state government imposed property taxes on large landholdings, a sharp departure from Mexican rule, which had not taxed land ownership. Many Californio rancheros, being land-rich but cash-poor, struggled to pay these taxes and mounting legal fees, leading them to mortgage, sell, or cede large portions of their ranchos.
In the Glendora area, by the time of American rule, British-born ranchero Henry Dalton owned a 4,431-acre land grant encompassing parts of present-day Azusa, Glendora, and surrounding communities, and had also purchased adjacent ranchos including
San Francisquito and
Rancho Santa Anita, creating a vast land holding stretching from San Dimas to the eastern boundary of present-day Pasadena. After U.S. annexation, Dalton filed his land claim with the Land Commission in 1852 and eventually received a federal patent in 1876. Despite this legal victory, the cost was significant. Dalton disputed an 1860 federal survey that substantially reduced the size of his rancho, opening it to homesteaders. Dalton's efforts to challenge this survey involved decades of costly litigation and required loans from creditors such as Los Angeles banker
Jonathan S. Slauson. Ultimately, Dalton was forced to relinquish nearly all his land to settle debts, retaining only a 55-acre homestead near the modern boundary between Azusa and Glendora. Dalton died nearly penniless in 1884, exemplifying the challenges Californio rancheros faced as legal disputes and financial burdens reshaped land ownership across Southern California.
Founding and modern development (1887–present)
Like many cities in the San Gabriel Valley, Glendora was established on previously remote agricultural land during the
Southern California real estate boom of the 1880s. Real estate values rose especially quickly in areas connected to the outside world upon the completion of the
Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley Railroad in May 1887, later purchased by the
Santa Fe Railway, connecting Los Angeles to Chicago. Located at the foot of the
San Gabriel Mountains
The San Gabriel Mountains () are a mountain range located in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, California, United States. The mountain range is part of the Transverse Ranges and lies between the Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert ...
, Glendora was started on approximately that were subdivided for sale by
George D. Whitcomb in late March 1887. On the first day of sale, April 1, 1887, 300 lots were sold. Later that month, the Suydam family built the first building erected after Glendora officially became a town – a barn at 645 N Vista Bonita Avenue, which served as their home until their house was completed in October.
Whitcomb was the founder of the
Whitcomb Locomotive Works in
Chicago
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
and
Rochelle, Illinois and had moved to California in the early 1880s. He devised the name ''Glendora'' by combining the name of his wife, Leadora Bennett Whitcomb (1839–1929), with the location of his home in a
glen of the San Gabriel Mountains. In December 1907, the development of Glendora got a boost when passenger service opened on a new extension of the
Pacific Electric Railway's Monrovia–Glendora Line which provided hourly, direct service from downtown Glendora to the
Pacific Electric Building at Sixth and Main in
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) is the central business district of the city of Los Angeles. It is part of the Central Los Angeles region and covers a area. As of 2020, it contains over 500,000 jobs and has a population of roughly 85,000 residents ...
. Prior to its 1911 incorporation, Glendora's administrator officially occupied the office of President of Glendora.
Glendora experienced significant growth during Southern California’s citrus boom in the early 20th century, becoming a thriving hub for citrus production. At its peak in 1947, the local citrus industry encompassed over 5,000 acres of orange and lemon orchards, supported by six
packing houses processing approximately 78,000 tons of fruit annually, valued between $4 million and $8 million (roughly $60-120 million in 2025 dollars).
The downtown area as it appears now is the product of years of renovation and maintenance by the city. The former opera house, movie theatre, Pacific Electric station, banks, hotels, grocery and department stores were converted for modern uses. The original layout can be read about on the Downtown Glendora Historical Walk, by reading placards placed along Glendora Avenue (previously called Michigan Avenue). The original townsite was bounded by Sierra Madre Avenue on the north, Minnesota Avenue on the east, Ada Avenue and the railroad on the south, and Pennsylvania Avenue on the west.
Glendora used to be home to several military academies, which have since been converted into either churches or private school facilities. These academies included Brown Military Academy, now St. Lucy's Priory High School and Church of the Open Door on Sierra Madre, and Harding Military Academy, whose property is now home to North Glendora Private, a prestigious private community adjacent to Easley Canyon atop Glendora Avenue.
From 1960 to 1978, Glendora was home to
Clokey Productions which produced 85 episodes of
Gumby and 65 episodes of
Davey and Goliath in town. In celebration of this history, Glendora hosted the first Gumby Fest in 2014 which brought thousands of people from around the country and Canada. In 2015 the 2nd GumbyFest was held at
Citrus College over an entire weekend.
Several wildfires have affected the city in recent years, the most notable being the campfire triggered
Colby Fire, which displaced hundreds of Glendora residents. A relief concert titled "Glendora Band Aid" was held shortly after the fire to help raise funds to assist the homeowners who lost their homes in the fire.
Glendora has an active Chamber of Commerce, established in 1903. The mission of the Glendora Chamber is to provide tools and resources to assist the business community in prospering and adapting to the economic climate, while growing membership and promoting
local purchasing
Local purchasing is a preference to buy locally produced goods and services rather than those produced farther away. It is very often abbreviated as a positive goal, "buy local" or "buy locally', that parallels the phrase " think globally, act lo ...
.
File:Glendora-1920.jpg, Glendora, 1920.
File:Early Alosta-Glendora Map.jpg, Early Alosta-Glendora Map 1888. View looking north from present-day South Hills Park Wilderness Area
File:Glendora_in_2017.jpg, Present day view from the South Hills
Geography

The city lies in the eastern end of the
San Gabriel Valley
The San Gabriel Valley (), sometimes referred to by its initials as SGV, is one of the principal valleys of Southern California, with the city of Los Angeles directly bordering it to the west and occupying the vast majority of the southeastern ...
between the
San Gabriel Mountains
The San Gabriel Mountains () are a mountain range located in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, California, United States. The mountain range is part of the Transverse Ranges and lies between the Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert ...
range to the north and, for most of the city, with the
South Hills to the south.
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.84%, is water.
Climate

Glendora has a dry
Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate ( ), also called a dry summer climate, described by Köppen and Trewartha as ''Cs'', is a temperate climate type that occurs in the lower mid-latitudes (normally 30 to 44 north and south latitude). Such climates typic ...
(
Köppen Köppen is a German surname. Notable people with the surname include:
* Bernd Köppen (1951–2014), German pianist and composer
* Carl Köppen (1833-1907), German military advisor in Meiji era Japan
* Edlef Köppen (1893–1939), German author ...
''Csa'') characterized by hotter summers and slightly cooler winters than coastal areas in
California
California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
. The dry weather lasts for most of the year except for the rainy season in the winter. Hot summer temperatures and warm
Santa Ana winds in the fall increase the risk of wildfires in the surrounding mountains. The 2009
Morris Fire and 2015
Cabin Fire are some of the most recent wildfires affecting Glendora and nearby cities.
Demographics
Glendora first appeared as a city in the
1920 U.S. Census[ as part of Azusa Township (pop 4,154 in 1910).][
]
Race and ethnicity
2020
As of the census
A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2020, there were 52,558 people, 16,887 households, and 3.01 persons per household residing in the city. The population density was . The racial makeup of the city was 70.4% White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
(47.9% Non-Hispanic White), 1.9% Black
Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...
or African American
African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 0.6% Native American, 11.6% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...
, and 7.2% from two or more races. 34.4% of the population were Hispanic
The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
or Latino of any race.
According to the 2020 United States census, Glendora had a median household income of $96,132, with 8.3% of the population living below the federal poverty line.
2010
As of the census
A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2010, there were 50,073 people, 16,819 households, and 12,866 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 17,145 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 75.1% White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
(57.0% Non-Hispanic White), 1.9% Black
Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...
or African American
African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 0.7% Native American, 8.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...
, 5.2% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. 30.7% of the population were Hispanic
The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
or Latino of any race.
According to the 2010 United States Census, Glendora had a median household income of $74,615, with 7.8% of the population living below the federal poverty line.
Mexican (16.3%) and German (11.3%) were the most common ancestries in Glendora. Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
(22.1%) and the Philippines
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...
(9.0%) were the most common foreign places of birth in Glendora.
2000
As of the census
A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2000, there were 49,415 people, 16,819 households, and 12,866 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...
was 996.8/km² (2,581.5/mi²). There were 17,145 housing units at an average density of 345.9/km² (895.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.3% White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 1.50% Black
Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...
or African American
African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 0.6% Native American, 16.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...
, 7.2% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. 11.7% of the population were Hispanic
The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
or Latino of any race.
There were 16,819 households out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.30.
The age distribution of the city was as follows: 27.6% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24 years old, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $60,013, and the median income for a family was $66,674 (these figures had risen to $72,414 and $86,606 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $49,548 versus $35,062 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,993. 5.9% of the population and 3.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 6.7% were under the age of 18 and 5.0% are 65 or older.
Government
City government
Founded as a community in 1887, Glendora was formally incorporated as a city on Nov. 13, 1911 making it the 25th oldest city in Los Angeles County out of a total of 88. It is a general-law city with a council–manager government
The council–manager government is a form of local government commonly used for municipalities and counties in the United States and Ireland, in New Zealand regional councils, and in Canadian municipalities. In the council-manager government, ...
, meaning the administrative head of the city is a City Manager who is appointed and overseen by a city council
A municipal council is the legislative body of a municipality or local government area. Depending on the location and classification of the municipality it may be known as a city council, town council, town board, community council, borough counc ...
of five members. The current City Manager is Adam Raymond.
As of 2020, the members are elected by district and serve four-year (staggered) terms of office. Following each election, the council selects from its membership a mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...
and mayor pro tem
''Pro tempore'' (), abbreviated ''pro tem'' or ''p.t.'', is a Latin phrase which best translates to 'for the time being' in English. This phrase is often used to describe a person who acts as a '' locum tenens'' ('placeholder'). The phrase is ...
. The current Mayor is David Fredendall.
In order to avoid the kinds of costly lawsuits other cities had faced under the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, the City of Glendora reluctantly changed how council members are elected by transitioning from an at-large election system to a district-based election system. This included switching the election cycle from odd years to even years. The first phase began in March 2020, when representatives from Council Districts 2, 3 and 5 were elected. The second phase took place in 2022 when representatives from Districts 1 and 4 were on the ballot.
Public safety services are provided by the Glendora Police Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
State and federal government
In the California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the bicameral state legislature of the U.S. state of California, consisting of the California State Assembly (lower house with 80 members) and the California State Senate (upper house with 40 members). ...
, Glendora is in , and in .
In the United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the Bicameralism, bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Artic ...
, Glendora is split between and .
Education
The city has two public school districts: Glendora Unified and Charter Oak Unified School Districts (COUSD). These school districts are considered two of the best in the state and the country, consistently ranking in the top performing brackets. Both districts have schools designated as California Distinguished Schools and Gold Ribbon Schools.
Elementary schools
* Cullen Elementary School
* La Fetra Elementary School
* Sellers Elementary School
* Stanton Elementary School
* Sutherland Elementary School
* Washington Elementary School ( COUSD)
* Willow Elementary School ( COUSD)
Middle schools
* Goddard Middle School
* Sandburg Middle School
High schools
* Glendora High School
Continuation high schools
* Arrow Continuation High School ( COUSD)
* Whitcomb Continuation High School
Private schools
* Hope Lutheran Church and School – Preschool through 8th-grade boys and girls school
* Foothill Christian School – Preschool through 8th-grade boys and girls school
* St. Lucy's Priory High School – All girls college-prep high school
* St. Dorothy School – Kindergarten through 8th grade boys and girls school
Universities and colleges
* Citrus College
Public health
There are two hospitals in the city:
* Foothill Presbyterian Hospital
* Glendora Community Hospital
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County, officially the County of Los Angeles and sometimes abbreviated as LA County, is the most populous county in the United States, with 9,663,345 residents estimated in 2023. Its population is greater than that of 40 individua ...
also offers community health services for Glendora residents at the Monrovia Health Center and Pomona Health Center.
Culture and recreation
Cultural facilities
* Haugh Performing Arts Center
* Glendora Historical Society Museum
* Rubel Castle, constructed by Michael Rubel
* Glendora Public Library
* Glendora Public Market
* Glendora Big Tree Park
Parks and trails
Glendora is an active community and it has an extensive system of parks, trails, and recreational programs for the community.
*Big Dalton Canyon Wilderness Park and Campground
*Centennial Heritage ParkThe site was constructed to depict a late 19th-century to early 20th-century citrus ranch and features the Hamilton House, a working print shop, and numerous antique farm implements. Also on site is the Orton Englehart workshop, dedicated to its namesake, native Glendoran and inventor of the horizontal action impact sprinkler. This sprinkler became known as the Rain Bird
Rain Bird Corporation is an international privately held manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services for landscapes, golf courses, sports fields, and agriculture which are designed to minimize water consumption. The firm is he ...
, revolutionized the irrigation industry, and was recognized as a historic landmark of agricultural engineering in 1990 by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
*Finkbiner Park
*Big Tree ParkSmall park with a 140-year-old Moreton Bay Fig tree.
*Louie Pompei Memorial Sports Park
*Glendora Urban Trail System
* South HillsPark and wilderness trail
*Colby Trail
*Lower Monroe Truck TrailHiking and mountain biking trail.
*Punk Out Trail
*Mystic Canyon Trail
* Glendora bougainvilleaLargest growth of Bougainvillea in the United States.
*Glen Oaks Golf and Learning CenterOffers a driving range, instructional services, practice area, and the 9-hole Par 3 course itself.
*Camp Cahuilla Summer Camp ("Dirt Camp")One of the most popular of the Parks and Recreation programs offering activities to more than 500 children every summer.
* San Gabriel Mountains National Monument - The headquarters of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument is located in a WPA building on N. Wabash Avenue. Several trails provide access directly from Glendora into the protected lands of the park. Glendora Mountain Road is a very popular destination in and into the National Monument for Mountain Bikers from across the region.
The Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road are also common routes for cyclists and sightseers with views through the San Gabriel Mountains
The San Gabriel Mountains () are a mountain range located in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, California, United States. The mountain range is part of the Transverse Ranges and lies between the Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert ...
. These roads have also hosted stages of the international Tour of California.
Transportation
Public transit
Glendora is served by Foothill Transit which provides connections through the city and express service to downtown Los Angeles
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
. The Metro A Line terminus station at APU/Citrus College in the adjacent city of Azusa also provides a transit link to the Metro system of trains and buses. A future extension of the A Line, from its current terminus in Azusa to the City of Montclair in San Bernardino County, will include a station in Glendora to be located in the southeast corner of the intersection of Ada Avenue and Vermont Avenue. The station dedication is planned for May 3, 2025 with train service expected to begin in the Summer. Ahead of the station’s eventual opening, the rail line was renamed from the L Line to the A Line per Metro's new naming convention and will connect to the former Blue Line via the new Regional Connector in downtown Los Angeles
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
. It will provide a "one-seat ride" (no transfers) to the Financial District of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
and downtown Long Beach.
Glendora also runs its own weekday transportation shuttle service, the Glendora Mini Bus, with shuttles serving the Metrolink Commuter Rail Station in nearby Covina
Covina (Help:IPA/English, /koviːnə/) is a city in the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles
The population was 51,268 according to the 2020 United States census, 2020 ...
, the APU/Citrus College Metro station, and an inter-school service connecting some of the city's schools. The Mini Bus also provides curb-to-curb transportation services for senior and disabled residents of Glendora.
Freeways and highways
Glendora lies at the intersection of two major freeways, the 210 and the 57, in what was formerly known as the Glendora Curve. These two freeways conveniently connect the city with the rest of the Southern California
Southern California (commonly shortened to SoCal) is a geographic and Cultural area, cultural List of regions of California, region that generally comprises the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Its densely populated coastal reg ...
region. Historic U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66) is one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The high ...
also traverses the city from east to west and it is an important corridor for businesses. Other major roads and highways include Foothill Boulevard, Grand Avenue, Arrow Highway, and Lone Hill Avenue.
Airports
There are no airports within the city limits. Glendora is within forty-five miles from all major area airports including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Ontario International Airport (ONT), Long Beach Airport (LGB), and John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County.
Economy
The National Hot Rod Association and Armstrong Garden Centers are based in Glendora.
Top employers
According to the city's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
Media
Television
KGLN TV is a public-access channel under the exclusive editorial control of the City of Glendora. By law, programming and information appearing on this channel is limited to City-originated programming of Public Meetings, City-sponsored events/activities, City-originated information, and the California legislative network live cablecast for a portion of each program day.
News media
''The San Gabriel Valley Tribune'', based in Monrovia
Monrovia () is the administrative capital city, capital and largest city of Liberia. Founded in 1822, it is located on Cape Mesurado on the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic coast and as of the 2022 census had 1,761,032 residents, home to 33.5% of Liber ...
, provides mainstream news coverage for Glendora. and surrounding "Foothill cities." The Tribune carries a list of current articles as well as a history of articles concerning the City of Glendora and cities immediately surrounding the City of Glendora.
''Library Happenings'' is a bi-monthly newsletter published and distributed by the Glendora Public Library. It generally consists of 4 or 6 pages of information about local programs and events planned for the year. There is an online version of the newsletter with issues going back to the year 2007.
''Glendora City News'' is a local news outlet focused on issues and events that are relevant to residents of the city of Glendora, California. Founded in November 2014, the newspaper has covered local crime, real estate, social events, and political issues, including some high-profile, highly controversial actions taken by city managers which have resulted in contentious public meetings and citywide calls for the removal of city politicians. The news outlet provides detailed information about scheduled events, public meetings, and incidents of note that occur within the City of Glendora.
Of particular note for Glendora residents, the news outlet contains detailed information about ballot initiatives every time the city holds a vote, listing the ballot propositions without a discernible political bias, a stance that has earned the news outlet a moderately-large on-line subscriber base as well as 18 thousand “like” subscribers on Facebook out of a city population of 50 thousand. Consistently detailing measures on the ballot at every election has made the news source a secondary source of information, with the primary source being the City of Glendora's official web sites.
The news outlet also occasionally carries information about local employment openings that have social benefit (such as environmental jobs), and routinely carries updated information about the many foothill fires and mud slides that effect residents in the northern parts of the city during the year's fire and rain seasons. Lost and found dogs and cats also get covered fairly routinely at the news outlet, with residents contacting the newspaper asking for help locating either a found pet's guardians or their missing pets.
The news outlet also offers a Community Calendar series which covers up-coming events which include city meetings as well as local events created by local shops, fast food franchises, and volunteer organizations.
The news outlet asks local residents to provide news tips and commentary about anything that happens in the city, including information about what city planners and managers are up to. In the past such tips have led to volunteer efforts by residents who have organized clean-up efforts of public property, such as the South Hills Dog Park where the drinking water facilities had been left in disrepair and needed cleaning.
Notable people
* Michael Anthony – Van Halen
Van Halen ( ) was an American rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1973. Credited with restoring hard rock to the forefront of the music scene, Van Halen was known for their energetic live performances and the virtuosity of their guit ...
bassist and backing vocalist
* LaVar Arrington – former NFL player
* Steven Barnes – science fiction and mystery author, and writer
* Tamra Judge - reality television personality and businesswoman
* Adrian Carrio – race car driver
* Bryan Clay – Olympic gold medalist 2008, Olympic silver medalist 2004, Decathlon
* Rocky Dennis – subject of the biographical film '' Mask''
* Soleil Moon Frye – ''Punky Brewster
''Punky Brewster'' is an American Situation comedy, sitcom television series about a young girl (Soleil Moon Frye) being raised by a foster parent (George Gaynes) in Chicago. The show ran on NBC from September 16, 1984, to March 9, 1986, and ag ...
'' actress
* Ron Gallemore – neurosurgeon
* George E. Gard – one of only three men to have served as both LAPD Chief of Police and Sheriff of Los Angeles County, founder of the town of Alosta (now part of the city of Glendora)
* Jacob Gonzalez – baseball player
* Jajaira Gonzalez – boxer
* Howard Hawkes – American film director
* Casey Jacobsen – basketball player
* Tamra Judge – television personality, cast member of '' The Real Housewives of Orange County''
* David Klein – inventor of Jelly Belly candy
* D. Wayne Lukas – racehorse trainer
* Richard and Maurice McDonald - McDonald’s founders who went into the restaurant business after running a movie theater and snack bar at the SW corner of Foothill and Glendora Avenue from 1930-1937.
* Gabrial McNair – No Doubt keyboardist
* José Mota – Spanish-language radio announcer for the Anaheim Angels and son of Manny Mota
* Tracy Murray – former basketball player
* Anna Nalick – singer
* Vince Neil – singer for heavy metal band Mötley Crüe
* DJ Peters – baseball player
* Adam Plutko – baseball player
* Sally Rand – actress and dancer
* Raylene – pornographic actress
* Tony Robbins – motivational speaker
* Aaron Rowand – baseball player
* Misty Rowe – actress, voice actor
* Julie Smith – Olympic softball gold medalist, coach
* Philip Shahbaz – voice of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad in the Assassin’s Creed franchise
* Charles Silent
Charles Silent (January 1, 1842 – December 14, 1918) was a German-born American jurist who served as an associate justice of the Arizona Territorial Supreme Court. After leaving the bench he entered private practice and became one of Los ...
- Associate Justice of the Arizona Territorial Supreme Court. Developer of St. James Park (now part of West Adams), once the wealthiest neighborhood in Los Angeles. Played a pivotal role in developing Elysian Park, earning him the title “Father of the Parks Commission.”
* Esther Snyder – co-founder of In-N-Out Burger
* Lynsi Snyder – owner of In-N-Out Burger
* Alex Solis – jockey
* Woody Strode – actor, American football player
* The Surfaris – surf music band
* Deontay Wilder – WBC World Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports and professional wrestling.
Boxing Professional
Male boxers who weigh over are considered heavyweights by 2 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation an ...
Champion 2015-2020, Olympic medalist 2008
* Shawn Wooten – baseball player
Sister cities
Glendora has 2 sister cities
A sister city or a twin town relationship is International relations, a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties.
While there ar ...
:
* Moka, Japan
Glendora and Moka have been sister cities since 1988. Since about 2000, there has been an ongoing student exchange program between Goddard Middle School and Moka Higashi Junior High School. There is an ongoing student exchange program between Sandburg Middle School and Nakamura Junior High School.
* Mérida, Yucatán
Mérida (, ) is the capital of the List of states of Mexico, Mexican state of Yucatán, and the largest city in southeastern Mexico. The city is also the seat of the Mérida Municipality, eponymous municipality. It is located slightly inland fro ...
, Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
The Bidwell Forum at the Glendora Public library features a mural painted by Mexican artists Manuel Lizama and Sergio Cuevas. They completed the work in July 1976 as a gift from the city of Mérida.
See also
* List of cities in Los Angeles County, California
References
External links
*
{{authority control
Cities in Los Angeles County, California
Communities in the San Gabriel Valley
Incorporated cities and towns in California
1887 establishments in California
1911 establishments in California
Populated places established in 1887
Populated places established in 1911