Whittier () is a city 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 ...
, and is part of the
Gateway Cities. The city had 87,306 residents as of the
2020 United States census, an increase of 1,975 from the
2010 census figure. Whittier was incorporated in February 1898 and became a
charter city
Home rule in the United States relates to the authority of a constituent part of a U.S. state to exercise powers of governance (i.e., whether such powers must be specifically delegated to it by the state—typically by legislative action—or a ...
in 1955.
The city is named for the
Quaker
Quakers are people who belong to the Religious Society of Friends, a historically Protestant Christian set of denominations. Members refer to each other as Friends after in the Bible, and originally, others referred to them as Quakers ...
poet
John Greenleaf Whittier and is home to
Whittier College. The city is surrounded by three unincorporated areas sharing the Whittier name,
West Whittier-Los Nietos,
South Whittier, and
East Whittier, which combined are home to a larger population than Whittier proper.
Etymology

In the founding days of Whittier, when it was a small, isolated town, Jonathan Bailey and his wife, Rebecca, were among the first residents. They followed the
Quaker
Quakers are people who belong to the Religious Society of Friends, a historically Protestant Christian set of denominations. Members refer to each other as Friends after in the Bible, and originally, others referred to them as Quakers ...
religious faith and practice and held religious meetings on their porch. Other early settlers, such as Aquila Pickering, also espoused the Quaker faith. As the city grew, the citizens named it after
John Greenleaf Whittier, a respected Quaker poet, and deeded a lot to him. Whittier wrote a dedication poem and is honored today with statues and a small exhibit at the Whittier Museum; a statue of him sits in Whittier's Central Park, and another representing his poem "The Barefoot Boy" used to reside by the City Hall and is now in front of the main library. Whittier never set foot there, but the city still bears his name and is rooted in the Quaker tradition.
Many of the streets in Uptown Whittier bear the names of Quaker settlers of Whittier or other prominent Quakers, such as Greenleaf Avenue (for Whittier), Bailey Street, Pickering Avenue, Penn Street (for
William Penn
William Penn ( – ) was an English writer, religious thinker, and influential Quakers, Quaker who founded the Province of Pennsylvania during the British colonization of the Americas, British colonial era. An advocate of democracy and religi ...
), Hadley Street and Washington Avenue (both for Washington Hadley), and Painter Avenue (for
John Hunt Painter).
History

The
Gabrielino first inhabited the area.
Whittier's roots can be traced to Spanish soldier
Manuel Nieto.
In 1784, Nieto received a
Spain, Spanish land grant of ,
Rancho Los Nietos, as a reward for his military service and to encourage settlement in California.
The area of Nieto's land grant was reduced in 1790 as the result of a dispute with
Mission San Gabriel. Nonetheless, Nieto still had a claim to stretching from the hills north of Whittier,
Fullerton, and
Brea, south to the Pacific Ocean, and from what is known today as the
Los Angeles River
The Los Angeles River (), historically known as by the Tongva and the by the Spanish, is a major river in Los Angeles County, California. Its headwaters are in the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains, and it flows nearly from Canoga Park ...
east to the
Santa Ana River
The Santa Ana River is the largest river entirely within Southern California in the United States. It rises in the San Bernardino Mountains and flows for most of its length through San Bernardino County, California, San Bernardino and Riversid ...
. Nieto built a rancho for his family near Whittier, purchased cattle and horses for his ranch, and planted cornfields. When he died in 1804, his children inherited his property.
At the time of the 1840s
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, ...
, much of the land that became Whittier was owned by
Pio Pico, a rancher and the last Mexican governor of Alta California.
Pio Pico built a hacienda on the San Gabriel River, known today as
Pio Pico State Historic Park.
After the war, German immigrant
Jacob F. Gerkens paid the U.S. government $234 to acquire of land under the
Homestead Act
The Homestead Acts were several laws in the United States by which an applicant could acquire ownership of Federal lands, government land or the American frontier, public domain, typically called a Homestead (buildings), homestead. In all, mo ...
and built the cabin known today as the
Jonathan Bailey House.
Gerkens later become the
Los Angeles Police Department
The City of Los Angeles Police Department, commonly referred to as Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), is the primary law enforcement agency of Los Angeles, California, United States. With 8,832 officers and 3,000 civilian staff, it is the th ...
's first chief of police. His land was owned by several others before a group of Quakers purchased it and expanded it to , intending to found a Quaker community. The area soon became known as a thriving citrus ranching region, with "Quaker Brand" fruit shipped all over the United States. Beginning in 1887,
walnut trees were planted, and Whittier became the nation's largest walnut grower.
In addition to walnuts and citrus, Whittier was also a significant producer of
pampas grass.
For many years, the sole means of transport from this area to Los Angeles was by foot or horse and wagon over rough dirt roads, impeding settlement, development, and the export of agriculture.
Thus in 1887 "enterprising and aggressive businessmen" contracted with the
Southern Pacific Railroad
The Southern Pacific (or Espee from the railroad initials) was an American Railroad classes#Class I, Class I Rail transport, railroad network that existed from 1865 to 1996 and operated largely in the Western United States. The system was oper ...
to build the first railroad spur to Whittier, including a depot. The businessmen covered the $43,000 construction cost for the six-mile spur, which branched off from the Southern Pacific mainline at a junction near what is now Studebaker Road between Firestone Boulevard and Imperial Highway.
By 1906, 650 carloads of oranges and 250 carloads of lemons were shipped annually by rail. In 1904, the
Pacific Electric
The Pacific Electric Railway Company, nicknamed the Red Cars, was a privately owned Public transport, mass transit system in Southern California consisting of electrically powered streetcars, interurban cars, and buses and was the largest electr ...
opened the trolley line known as "Big Red Cars" from Los Angeles to Whittier. In the first two decades, over a million passengers a year rode to and from Los Angeles on the
Whittier Line.
During the 1920s and 30s, Whittier was a conservative
sundown town
Sundown towns, also known as sunset towns, gray towns, or sundowner towns, were all-white municipalities or neighborhoods in the United States. They were towns that practiced a form of racial segregation by excluding non-whites via some combinati ...
. New housing tracts such as College Hills were developed under
restrictive covenants and minorities were restricted to areas outside the city limits such as Jimtown (portions of which were destroyed by the building of the
605 Freeway).
Whittier even had a branch of the
Silver Shirts. Liquor sales were forbidden in the city; Bailey's Liquor Store was just outside the city limits.
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 until Resignation of Richard Nixon, his resignation in 1974. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican ...
, though born and buried in
Yorba Linda, grew up in East Whittier. He attended and played football at Whittier High School (1928–30) and Whittier College (1930–34) In the 1930s, Nixon's law office was in the
National Bank of Whittier Building in Uptown Whittier. Upon Nixon's return from World War II service, conservative Whittier businessman Herman Perry, Nixon's former landlord at the bank, spearheaded an effort to form a Committee of 100 Republicans in Eastern Los Angeles County to get Nixon elected to Congress in 1946.
After
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, Whittier grew rapidly. The subdividing of orange groves began, driven by housing shortages in southern California. In 1955, the Civic Center complex was completed, and the City Council met in new chambers for the first time on March 8, 1955. The city continued to grow as it annexed portions of Whittier Boulevard and East Whittier. The 1961 annexation added over 28,000 people to the population, bringing the total to about 67,000.
South
South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both west and east.
Etymology
The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþa ...
and
West Whittier remained unannexed by the city.
Quakers
The first Quaker meetings were held on the front porch of the
Jonathan Bailey House.
As more Quakers arrived, the need for an actual
Quaker meeting house arose, and the first one was built in 1887 on the corner of Comstock Avenue and Wardman Street. The meeting soon outgrew this 100-seat meeting house, and a larger building was erected on the corner of Philadelphia Street and Washington Avenue in 1902. By 1912, membership had grown to 1,200, and a third building was dedicated on the same site in 1917. With a capacity of 1,700, the 1917 meeting house had a balcony and was constructed of brick with mahogany paneling and pews. The present meeting house, dedicated in 1975, has many architectural elements and materials from the 1917 building, including the stained glass windows and mahogany interior. The Quakers also founded Whittier Academy (later Whittier College), and additional meetings met in East Whittier and at Whittier College's Mendenhall. The Mendenhall and East Whittier meetings kept the silent meeting longer than the main church.
Colleges
In 1887, the Pickering Land and Water Company set aside a parcel of land to develop a college, but a collapse in the land boom stalled construction. Progress on developing a college was sporadic, but on July 30, 1896, the Whittier Academy, operating since 1891, officially changed its name to
Whittier College and enrolled 100 students. The school mascot is "The Poet." By 1906, Whittier College was an educational institution with laboratories, boarding halls, a large gymnasium, and athletic fields. Due to an economic depression in the 1890s, the first bachelor's degrees were not awarded at the college for 17 years.
Leona May Mendenhall donated the Mendenhall Building at Whittier College in honor of her husband, Oscar. The Mendenhalls were among Whittier's founding families. Oscar's brother, Samuel Mendenhall, helped bring in the water system and post office. The Mendenhalls were major growers of
Sunkist oranges and
Blue Diamond walnuts.
Whittier was the first home to
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University (APU) is a private evangelical research university in Azusa, California, United States. The university was founded in 1899 in Whittier, California, with classes first held on March 3, 1900, and degrees offered in 193 ...
, established in 1899 by the Quaker community and a Methodist evangelist under the name Training School for Christian Workers.
Whittier Narrows earthquake
On October 1, 1987, at 7:42 a.m., the
Whittier Narrows earthquake struck, the epicenter north-northwest of Whittier. The seismic event, which registered 5.9 on the moment magnitude scale, killed eight people and damaged many of uptown Whittier's historic buildings. Three days later, on October 4 at 3:59 a.m., a major aftershock measuring 5.2 caused further damage. Buildings and residential structures that were already borderline unsafe were now deemed unsafe or uninhabitable. In the years following the earthquake, the city's deteriorating uptown business district became the focus of renewed development, meeting opposition from many Whittier citizens. The
Whittier Conservancy was formed in 1987 to stop the demolition of many historic buildings and residences after the disaster. The city also created a
Historic Resources Commission to oversee the approval of landmark designations, historic districts, and
Mills Act The Mills Act is a 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 Mexi ...
proposals. The Whittier Narrows earthquake destroyed
The Quad at Whittier, a shopping mall that was rebuilt.
Geography
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 an area of , virtually all land.
Whittier is bordered by
Hacienda Heights to the northeast,
City of Industry to the north, and several other unincorporated communities 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 ...
mostly along its northern sections.
Pico Rivera lies to the west,
La Habra Heights to the east,
La Habra to the southeast, and
Santa Fe Springs
Santa Fe Springs (''Santa Fe'', Spanish for "Holy Faith") is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is one of the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County. The population was 19,219 at the 2020 census, up from 16,22 ...
to the south.
Neighborhoods
Whittier has several neighborhoods. The area around Philadelphia Street and Greenleaf Avenue is known as Uptown Whittier and contains the traditional central business core. Just north of it are the neighborhoods known as Central Park and Hadley-Greenleaf. They have been designated historic districts by the city Historic Resources Commission and comprise most of the Whittier Historic Neighborhood Association area. These districts contain many Craftsman and Spanish Colonial Revival homes. In and abutting the hills north of the historic districts is Starlite Estates. The area surrounding Whittier College is known as College Hills and was also recently designated a historic district, as it has a small cluster of homes along Earlham Drive. The area east of College Avenue is called East Whittier. It was an unincorporated agricultural community until the postwar era. The eastern part of East Whittier, developed in the 1950s and 1960s, is known as Friendly Hills, and was developed at the same time as Murphy Ranch and Leffingwell Ranch. Friendly Hills and Murphy Ranch are generally considered north of Whittier Boulevard, while Leffingwell Ranch is south of it. The area at the extreme east of Whittier is occasionally called Sunglow.
Climate
Whittier is about inland of the Pacific Ocean, resulting in higher daytime temperatures, and since it lies at a higher elevation than the cities further west, cold air drains into the lower elevation of the
Los Angeles Basin
The Los Angeles Basin is a sedimentary Structural basin, basin located in Southern California, in a region known as the Peninsular Ranges. The basin is also connected to an wikt:anomalous, anomalous group of east–west trending chains of mountai ...
, causing warmer nighttime lows, an example of
thermal inversion
In meteorology, an inversion (or temperature inversion) is a phenomenon in which a layer of warmer air overlies cooler air. Normally, air temperature gradually decreases as altitude increases, but this relationship is reversed in an inver ...
. Winter daytime highs typically range from with overnight lows dropping to about 41 °F to 50 °F (6° to 12 °C). In the summer highs range from and corresponding overnight lows in the . Rainfall follows a Mediterranean pattern, with most falling during winter, while summers tend to be rather dry. The mean annual rainfall is about .
Demographics
Whittier first appeared as a town in the
1890 U.S. Census;
[ and as a city in the 1900 U.S. Census.][
]
2020
The 2020 United States census reported that Whittier had a total population of 87,306 people with a density
Density (volumetric mass density or specific mass) is the ratio of a substance's mass to its volume. The symbol most often used for density is ''ρ'' (the lower case Greek letter rho), although the Latin letter ''D'' (or ''d'') can also be u ...
of 5,824.9 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 48.7% 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 ...
(24.5% Non-Hispanic white
Non-Hispanic Whites, also referred to as White Anglo Americans or Non-Latino Whites, are White Americans who are classified by the United States census as "White" and not of Hispanic or Latino origin. According to annual estimates from the Unit ...
, 24.2% White Hispanic), 1.5% 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 ...
, 1.1% Native American, 5.3% Asian, 0.0% 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 8.4% from two or more races. Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic and Latino Americans are Americans who have a Spaniards, Spanish or Latin Americans, Latin American background, culture, or family origin. This demographic group includes all Americans who identify as Hispanic or Latino (demonym), ...
were 65.8% of the population. 16.6% of the population were foreign born, and 3.1% of people were veteran
A veteran () is a person who has significant experience (and is usually adept and esteemed) and expertise in an job, occupation or Craft, field.
A military veteran is a person who is no longer serving in the military, armed forces.
A topic o ...
s.
There were 27,093 households, of which the average size was 3.07 persons. The median household income during 2016–2020 was $76,026, and 9.5% of the population was living in poverty
Poverty is a state or condition in which an individual lacks the financial resources and essentials for a basic standard of living. Poverty can have diverse Biophysical environmen ...
.
The population was spread out, with 23.0% of the population under the age of 18 and 15.1% above the age of 65. Of all people aged above 25 years, 88.5% were high school
A secondary school, high school, or senior school, is an institution that provides secondary education. Some secondary schools provide both ''lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper secondary education'' (ages 14 to 18), i.e., ...
graduates, and 26.7% had a bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years ...
or higher. 61.5% of people aged above 16 years were in the civilian labor force
In macroeconomics, the workforce or labour force is the sum of people either working (i.e., the employed) or looking for work (i.e., the unemployed):
\text = \text + \text
Those neither working in the marketplace nor looking for work are out ...
.
2010
The 2010 United States census reported that Whittier had a population of 85,331. The population density was . The racial makeup of Whittier was 55,117 (64.6%) 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 ...
(28.3% Non-Hispanic White, 36.3% White Hispanic), 1,092 (1.3%) 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 ...
, 1,093 (1.3%) Native American, 3,262 (3.8%) Asian, 123 (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 ...
, 20,848 (24.4%) from other races, and 3,796 (4.4%) from two or more races. 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 were 56,081 persons (65.7%).
The Census reported that 83,696 people (98.1% of the population) lived in households, 1,083 (1.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 552 (0.6%) were institutionalized.
There were 28,273 households, out of which 11,289 (39.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 14,152 (50.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 4,566 (16.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,896 (6.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,770 (6.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 247 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 6,096 households (21.6%) were made up of individuals, and 2,495 (8.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96. There were 20,614 families
Family (from ) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictability, structure, and safety as ...
(72.9% of all households); the average family size was 3.46.
The population was spread out, with 21,686 people (25.4%) under the age of 18, 9,198 people (10.8%) aged 18 to 24, 23,627 people (27.7%) aged 25 to 44, 20,819 people (24.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 10,001 people (11.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.
There were 29,591 housing units at an average density of , of which 16,207 (57.3%) were owner-occupied, and 12,066 (42.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.1%. 49,393 people (57.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 34,303 people (40.2%) lived in rental housing units.
During 2009–2013, Whittier had a median household income of $68,522, with 12.4% of the population living below the federal poverty line.
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 83,680 people, 28,271 households, and 20,468 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 28,977 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 43.2% 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 ...
, 1.2% 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 ...
, 1.3% Native American, 3.3% Asian, 0.2% 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 ...
, 25.8% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. 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 were 65.9% of the population.
There were 28,271 households, out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% 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, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% 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 3.38.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $49,256, and the median income for a family was $55,726. Males had a median income of $40,394 versus $34,223 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year.
In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
for the city was $21,409. About 7.8% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
Mexican and German were the most common ancestries. 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 ...
and El Salvador
El Salvador, officially the Republic of El Salvador, is a country in Central America. It is bordered on the northeast by Honduras, on the northwest by Guatemala, and on the south by the Pacific Ocean. El Salvador's capital and largest city is S ...
were the most common foreign places of birth.
Homelessness
In 2022, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count counted 127 homeless people in Whittier.
Economy
Whittier's Redevelopment Agency has numerous projects underway to revitalize the community. This includes a $7 million project near the Hoover Hotel and development of a project area near Whittier Blvd. The city council adopted the master plan in 2005. In 2019, Whittier's first food hall
A food hall is a large standalone location or department store section where food and drinks are sold.
Overview
Unlike food courts made up of fast food chains, food halls typically mix local artisan restaurants, butcher shops and other food- ...
, Poet Gardens, opened in Uptown Whittier.
The Whittwood Town Center is a shopping destination in Whittier.
Top employers
According to the city's 2013 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
Arts and culture
On April 17, 1900, the Whittier Public Library Board of Trustees held its first meeting in Landrum Smith's drugstore. With an initial collection of 60 books and 200 magazines, the library facilities began in the Woody Building as a reading room maintained by Hester in exchange for space for his telegraph office. In 1907, a Carnegie grant funded building construction at Bailey and Greenleaf that many Whittierites fondly remember. As the city expanded, a more extensive library was needed, and the Friends of the Library was organized in 1956 to raise money for a new building. Through their efforts and those of the board members, librarians, and citizen fundraising groups, the new library was completed at the Washington Avenue site in May 1959. In 1968, service was further expanded with the construction of the Whittwood Branch Library on Santa Gertrudes Avenue.
Historical landmarks and entertainment locations
* Rose Hills Memorial Park, the largest single-location cemetery in the world, is located just outside the city western edge in unincorporated Whittier.
* Whittier is home to the following California Historical Landmark
A California Historical Landmark (CHL) is a building, structure, site, or place in the U.S. state of California that has been determined to have statewide historical landmark significance.
Criteria
Historical significance is determined by meetin ...
s
** Pio Pico State Historic Park, California Historical Landmark No. 127: The ''Casa de Governor Pío Pico''/Home of Governor Pío Pico
Don (honorific), Don Pío de Jesús Pico IV (May 5, 1801 – September 11, 1894) was a California politician, ranchero, and entrepreneur, famous for serving as the List of governors of California before 1850, last governor of Alta California und ...
, home of the last Mexican Governor of California
The governor of California is the head of government of the U.S. state of California. The Governor (United States), governor is the commander-in-chief of the California National Guard and the California State Guard.
Established in the Constit ...
.
** California Historical Landmark No. 646: Grave of George Caralambo, (Greek George). Grave marker is located at the Whittier Museum :
** California Historical Landmark No. 681: Paradox Hybrid Walnut Tree:
** California Historical Landmark No. 947: Reform School for Juvenile Offenders ( Fred C. Nelles School — Closed May 27, 2004 and redeveloped for business and residential use.)
* Whittier Museum - 6755 Newlin Ave, Whittier 90601. Open for public tour Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and is free of charge
* Whittier is the home to the following places listed in the National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...
:
** Pio Pico House, 6003 Pioneer Blvd.
** Hoover Hotel, 7035 Greenleaf Ave.
** Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, 7333 Greenleaf Ave.
** Standard Oil Building, 7257 Bright Ave.
** Jonathan Bailey House, 13421 E. Camilla St.
** National Bank of Whittier Building, 13002 E. Philadelphia
** Orin Jordan House, 8310 S. Comstock Ave.
Government
City government
Whittier uses a council–manager form of government. Until 2014, all five city council members were elected at-large, with the mayor being elected by the council. Following the 2016 elections, four city council members were elected to four-year terms in districts, whereas the mayor was directly elected to two-year terms. The council also appoints a city manager.
The current mayor of Whittier is Joe Vinatieri. The city council is currently made up of Fernando Dutra, Octavio Martinez, Cathy Warner, and mayor pro tempore
''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 ...
Jessica Martinez. Brian Saeki is serving as the city manager and Shannon DeLong as the assistant city manager.
Federal and state representation
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). ...
, Whittier 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 ...
, Whittier is in .
Education
The following school districts serve the city of Whittier:
* Fullerton Joint Union High School District
* Whittier Union High School District
* East Whittier City School District
* Los Nietos School District
* Lowell Joint School District
* South Whittier School District
* Whittier City School District
Five high schools, California High School, La Serna High School, Pioneer High School, Santa Fe High School, and Whittier High School comprise the Whittier Union High School District. There is one alternative continuation high school Frontier High School and a homeschooling hq, Sierra Vista High School. Although they still have Whittier postal addresses, both California High School and Pioneer High School lie outside the city limits in unincorporated Los Angeles County. Santa Fe High School is located within the City of Santa Fe Springs. Adults may attend the Whittier Adult School, which belongs to the Whittier Union High School District. The city also has three private Catholic elementary schools, K-8:
* St. Bruno's Parish School
* St Gregory The Great Parish School
* St. Mary of the Assumption School
The schools are operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles (, ) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church located in the southern coastal portion of the U.S. state of California. The archdiocese's cathedra is in Los Angeles, and the arc ...
. One (St. Mary of the Assumption School) is one of the largest Catholic elementary schools in 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 ...
. St Gregory The Great School has been Number One in their deanery for the Academic Decathlon two consecutive years.
Whittier Friends School is a member of the Friends Council on Education and associated with First Friends Church of Whittier, the founding Quaker meeting of Whittier. Whittier Friends School includes a licensed preschool and an elementary school (TK-6th grade).
Trinity Lutheran School, a ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church, serves kindergarten through eighth grade.
Whittier Christian School, a ministry of Calvary Baptist Church, Association of Christian Schools International
The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), founded in 1978, is an international organization of evangelical Christian schools. Its headquarters are in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It offers tiers of oversight, from school accredit ...
serves the Whittier community. They have an elementary campus, two preschool campuses, a junior high school, and a high school.
Plymouth Christian School, a ministry of Plymouth Church, serves preschool through sixth grade.
Higher education institutions in the area include Rio Hondo College, which lies just outside the city, Southern California University of Health Sciences, and historic Whittier College.
Media
The local newspaper is the ''Whittier Daily News
The ''Whittier Daily News'' is a paid local daily newspaper for Whittier, California, United States. Coverage area includes Whittier, South Whittier, Pico Rivera, La Habra Heights, Santa Fe Springs and La Mirada.
The ''Whittier Daily News'' ...
''. Other area papers include the ''San Gabriel Valley Tribune
The ''San Gabriel Valley Tribune'' is a paid daily newspaper headquartered in Monrovia, California, that serves the central and eastern San Gabriel Valley. It operated from a West Covina location from 1955 to 2015. The ''Tribune'' is a member of ...
'' (the parent paper of the ''Whittier Daily News''), the ''Los Angeles Times
The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...
'', and the ''Orange County Register
''The Orange County Register'' is a paid daily List of newspapers in California, newspaper published in California. The ''Register'', published in Orange County, California, is owned by the private equity firm Alden Global Capital via its Digit ...
''. The Music fanzine '' Flipside'' was published locally from 1977 to 1990. Former newspapers include the ''Coast Reporter'', ''Whittier Californian'', ''Whittier Graphic'', and the ''Whittier Star Reporter''.
Infrastructure
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
Health Services Los Angeles County, officially the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, operates the public hospitals and clinics in Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County and is the United States' second largest municip ...
operates the Whittier Health Center in Whittier.
The California Youth Authority operated the Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility from 1890 until it closed in 2004.
Transportation
Various bus routes operate in Whittier. Metro, Foothill Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, and the Norwalk Transit are the main ones. Foothill Transit line 274 originates at Beverly & Norwalk and proceeds north to Baldwin Park via Workman Mill Road and Puente Avenue. Foothill Transit line 285 travels through Whittier on Whittier Boulevard and Colima Road between La Habra and Hacienda Heights. Montebello Transit Line 10 originates at Whittwood Mall and proceeds west to Montebello and the Atlantic E Line station via Whittier Boulevard. Montebello 40 originates at Beverly and Norwalk and proceeds west to Montebello and Downtown Los Angeles via Beverly Boulevard and 4th Street. Montebello 50 travels through Whittier between La Mirada and Downtown Los Angeles. Metro Bus line 120 originates at Whittwood Mall and travels west to the Norwalk C Line station, then to the Aviation C line station via Imperial Hwy.
Whittier also has a variety of roads. One freeway, the San Gabriel River Freeway ( I-605), runs along the city's northern end. State Route 72 runs via Whittier Boulevard and forms part of El Camino Real. Other major streets in Whittier include Beverly Boulevard
Beverly Boulevard is one of the main east–west thoroughfares in Los Angeles, in the U.S. state of California. It begins off Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California, Beverly Hills and ends on the Lucas Avenue overpass near downtow ...
, Colima Road, Greenleaf Avenue, Lambert Road, Mar Vista Street, Mills Avenue, Norwalk Boulevard, Painter Avenue, Philadelphia Street, and Washington Boulevard.
Police
The Whittier Police Department provides law enforcement services.
Fire
There are three fire stations within Whittier city limits: Los Angeles County Fire Department
The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) provides firefighting and emergency medical services for the unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County, California, as well as 59 cities through Contract city, contracting, including the city of ...
Station 28 (Engine, Quint, Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional trained in the medical model, whose main role has historically been to respond to emergency calls for medical help outside of a hospital. Paramedics work as part of the emergency medical services (EMS), ...
Squad, Mobile Aid, and the Battalion Chief), Station 17 (Engine), and Station 59 (Engine and IRT).
Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility
The Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility served as a state reform school for boys and girls until 1916 when the girls were moved elsewhere. Opened in 1891, before Whittier was incorporated, Nelles was California's longest-running state school for juvenile offenders and has been declared a California State Historical Landmark. It closed in 2004, and the facility was used as a television filming site. In 2014, Brookfield Residential Properties announced plans for a large retail, commercial and residential project on the site. Much of Whittier is built out, so the site brings a unique chance for growth in the city. Although over 50 buildings were demolished, discussions have focused on how many of the eight historic buildings should be preserved. The administration building that was constructed in 1928–29 has a historical designation. Housing and commercial space are under construction on the site.
Notable people
* George Allen, former Virginia governor and U.S. Senator
* Glenn Allison, professional ten-pin bowler and member of the PBA and USBC Halls of Fame
* Edson Alvarado, soccer player
* Deborah Babashoff, swimmer
* Shirley Babashoff, swimmer, winner of eight Olympic medals
* Bad Dude Tito, professional wrestler
* Andrea Barber, actress, Full House/Fuller House
* Mitch Callahan, former prospect for the Detroit Red Wings
* Raymond F. Chandler III, SMA, US Army, former Sergeant Major of the US Army
* Carl Cheffers, NFL referee
*Tricia Nixon Cox
Patricia Nixon Cox (born February 21, 1946) is the elder daughter of the 37th United States president Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon, and the sister of Julie Nixon Eisenhower.
She is married to Edward F. Cox and is the mother of Christ ...
, daughter of President Richard Nixon
* Jeff B. Davis, comedian and actor
* Andy Etchebarren, professional baseball player
* Justin De Fratus, pitcher for Philadelphia Phillies
* M.F.K. Fisher, food writer
*Nomar Garciaparra
Anthony Nomar Garciaparra (; born July 23, 1973) is an American former Major League Baseball player and current SportsNet LA analyst. After playing parts of nine seasons as an All-Star shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, he played shortstop, Third ...
, professional baseball player
* Jeff Loveness, American screenwriter and producer
*John Gay
John Gay (30 June 1685 – 4 December 1732) was an English poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club. He is best remembered for ''The Beggar's Opera'' (1728), a ballad opera. The characters, including Captain Macheath and Polly Peach ...
, screenwriter
* Matt Gourley, American comedic actor, writer, and teacher
* Greg Hancock, American Speedway rider
* Wally Hood, baseball player, member of Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame
*Lou Henry Hoover
Lou Henry Hoover (March 29, 1874 – January 7, 1944) was an American philanthropist, geologist, and the first lady of the United States from 1929 to 1933 as the wife of President Herbert Hoover. She was active in community organizations and v ...
, wife of U.S. President Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964) was the 31st president of the United States, serving from 1929 to 1933. A wealthy mining engineer before his presidency, Hoover led the wartime Commission for Relief in Belgium and ...
* Gabriel Iglesias, comedian
* Tinker Juarez, professional cyclist, two-time Olympian, MTB Hall of Fame, BMX Hall of Fame, national champion, World Master MTB Champion
* Melissa King, chef specializing in modern Californian cuisine, finalist on '' Top Chef: Season 12''
* Mark Kostabi, artist and composer
* Paul Kostabi, artist and musician
*John Lasseter
John Alan Lasseter ( ; born January 12, 1957) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and animator. He was previously the chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Disneytoon Studios, a ...
, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios
Pixar (), doing business as Pixar Animation Studios, is an American animation studio based in Emeryville, California, known for its critically and commercially successful computer-animated feature films. Pixar is a subsidiary of Walt Disney S ...
and film director
* Carey Lovelace, art writer and curator
*Craig McCracken
Craig McCracken (born March 31, 1971) is an American cartoonist, animator, director, writer, and producer known for creating Cartoon Network's ''The Powerpuff Girls'' and ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'', Disney Channel and Disney XD's ''W ...
, cartoonist, creator of '' The Powerpuff Girls'' and '' Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends''
* Gary Miller, Republican U.S. Representative for . Miller grew up in Whittier.
*Pat Nixon
Thelma Catherine "Pat" Nixon (; March 16, 1912 – June 22, 1993) was First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974 as the wife of President Richard Nixon. She also served as the Second ladies and gentlemen of the United States, second lady ...
, First Lady of the United States, wife of Richard Nixon, whom she met while teaching English at Whittier High School
*Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 until Resignation of Richard Nixon, his resignation in 1974. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican ...
, 37th President of the United States
* Dax Reynosa, a hip-hop and smooth jazz musician and producer
* Zane Reynosa, hip hop musician and fashion accessory designer
* Douglas Robinson, professor of English, dean
* Michael Vernon Robinson, automobile designer
* Linda Sánchez, Democratic U.S. Representative for California's 38th congressional district
* John Saul, suspense and horror novelist
* Ron Shelton, film director and screenwriter
* Lauren Tewes, actress, grew up in Whittier
* Stu Thomsen, professional BMX racer
* Melissa Villaseñor, comedian, actress and singer
*Tom Waits
Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American musician, composer, songwriter, and actor. His lyrics often focus on society's underworld and are delivered in his trademark deep, gravelly voice. He began in the American folk music, fo ...
, musician, composer, songwriter and actor
* Jessamyn West, author of ''The Friendly Persuasion
''The Friendly Persuasion'' is an American novel published in 1945 by Jessamyn West (writer), Jessamyn West. It was adapted as the Academy Award, Oscar-nominated motion picture ''Friendly Persuasion (1956 film), Friendly Persuasion'' in 1956. The ...
''
* Del Worsham, NHRA funny car and top fuel driver, 2011 Top Fuel World Champion
* Tina Yothers, actress and singer
* Wendell "Bud" Hurlbut, amusement park designer
Film and television locations
Various notable movies and television shows have been filmed in the city, including:
*'' Gardens of the Night'' (2008) – Film starring Gillian Jacobs
Gillian MacLaren Jacobs (; born October 19, 1982) is an American actress. She is known for playing Britta Perry in the NBC sitcom ''Community'' (2009–2015), Mickey Dobbs in the Netflix romantic comedy series '' Love'' (2016–2018), and Mar ...
, John Malkovich, Ryan Simpkins and Tom Arnold. Scenes were filmed in Michael's Super Burgers.
*''Masters of the Universe
''Masters of the Universe'' (sometimes referred to as the ''He-Man'' or ''She-Ra'' series) is a sword and planet-themed media franchise created by Mattel. The main premise revolves around the conflict between He-Man (the alter ego of Prince A ...
'' (1987) - Film starring Frank Langella
Frank A. Langella Jr. (; born January 1, 1938) is an American actor. He eschewed the career of a traditional film star by making the stage the focal point of his career, appearing frequently on Broadway. He has received four Tony Awards (out of ...
. Key battle scenes in a music store and on rooftops during Skeletor's invasion of Earth were shot here, among others.
*'' Amish Grace'' (2010) – Television film. The carriage procession was filmed on Greenleaf St. in Uptown Whittier, and the funeral home scene was filmed at The Good Shepherd Family Bible Church, across the street from the post office on Bailey St.
*''Back to the Future
''Back to the Future'' is a 1985 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale. It stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, and Thomas F. Wilson. Set in 1985 ...
'' (1985) and ''Back to the Future Part II
''Back to the Future Part II'' is a 1989 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay by Bob Gale; both wrote the story. It is a sequel to the 1985 film ''Back to the Future'' and the second installment in the Back ...
'' (1989) – Films starring Michael J. Fox
Michael Andrew Fox (born June 9, 1961), known professionally as Michael J. Fox, is a Canadian and American actor and activist. Beginning his career as a child actor in the 1970s, he rose to prominence portraying Alex P. Keaton on the NBC sitcom ...
. Whittier High School was used as the setting for Hill Valley High School.
*'' Hocus Pocus'' (1993) – Film starring Bette Midler
Bette Midler ( ;''Inside the Actors Studio'', 2004 born December 1, 1945) is an American actress, comedian, singer, and author. Throughout her five-decade career Midler has received List of awards and nominations received by Bette Midler, numero ...
, Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker (born March 25, 1965) is an American actress and television producer. In a career spanning over five decades, she has performed across several productions of both Sarah Jessica Parker filmography, screen and stage. List o ...
, Thora Birch and Vinessa Shaw
Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw (born July 19, 1976) is an American film actress and model. She began her career as a child actress, making her feature film debut in the slasher film ''Home Sweet Home (1981 film), Home Sweet Home'' (1981). She had her b ...
. Parts were filmed in Uptown Whittier and East Whittier Middle School.
*'' Father of the Bride Part II'' (1995) – Film starring Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn Martin (born August 14, 1945) is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician. Known for Steve Martin filmography, his work in comedy films, television, and #Discography, recording, he has received List of awards a ...
. Parts were filmed in uptown Whittier.
*''The Wonder Years
''The Wonder Years'' is an American coming-of-age comedy television series created by Neal Marlens and Carol Black. It ran on ABC from January 31, 1988, until May 12, 1993. The series premiered immediately after ABC's coverage of Super Bowl X ...
'' (1988–1993) – Television series starring Fred Savage. The parade scene in the last episode was filmed in uptown Whittier.
*'' The Next Best Thing'' (2000) – Film starring Madonna
Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, ...
and Rupert Everett
Rupert James Hector Everett (; born 29 May 1959) is an English actor. He first came to public attention in 1981 when he was cast in Julian Mitchell's play and subsequent film '' Another Country'' (1984) as a gay pupil at an English public scho ...
was filmed in the Whittier Hills.
*'' Bringing Down the House'' (2003) – Film starring Queen Latifah and Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn Martin (born August 14, 1945) is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician. Known for Steve Martin filmography, his work in comedy films, television, and #Discography, recording, he has received List of awards a ...
was filmed at the Friendly Hills Country Club, in East Whittier.
*'' Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines'' (2003) – Film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July30, 1947) is an Austrian and American actor, businessman, former politician, and former professional bodybuilder, known for his roles in high-profile action films. Governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger, ...
. Various parts were shot in Whittier, including in Rose Hills Memorial Park.
*'' Blow'' (2001) – Film starring Johnny Depp
John Christopher Depp II (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor and musician. He is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Johnny Depp, multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe Award as well as nominations for ...
and Penélope Cruz. Scenes were filmed at the Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility, which closed in January 2004, and in a residential neighborhood.
*'' Ali'' (2001) – Directed by Michael Mann, portions of which were filmed at a residence in the historic neighborhood near the uptown village.
*'' Disturbia'' (2007) – Film starring Shia LaBeouf, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Amanda Walsh. Was shot on Painter Ave, the deli scenes were filmed at "Our Cleaners" on Comstock Ave. in uptown Whittier.
*''Moonlight
Moonlight consists of mostly sunlight (with little earthlight) reflected from the parts of the Moon's surface where the Sun's light strikes.
History
The ancient Greek philosopher Anaxagoras was aware that "''the sun provides the moon with its ...
'' (2007–2008) – Television series starring Alex O'Loughlin
Alex O'Loughlin (born 24 August 1976) is an Australian actor. He is known for his portrayal of Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett on CBS' remake of the TV series ''Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series), Hawaii Five-0'' (2010–2020). He had starri ...
and Sophia Myles
Sophia Myles () is an English actress. She is best known in film for portraying Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward in Thunderbirds (2004 film), ''Thunderbirds'' (2004), Isolde in ''Tristan & Isolde (film), Tristan & Isolde'' (2006), Darcy in ''Transfo ...
. Exteriors of a state execution facility were filmed at the Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility; the facility name is clearly shown in multiple shots.
*'' What Just Happened?'' (2008) – Film starring Robert De Niro
Robert Anthony De Niro ( , ; born August 17, 1943) is an American actor, director, and film producer. He is considered to be one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation. De Niro is the recipient of List of awards and ...
, Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955) is a retired American actor. He achieved fame with a leading role on the comedy-drama series ''Moonlighting (TV series), Moonlighting'' (1985–1989) and has appeared in over one hundred films, gaining ...
, Sean Penn
Sean Justin Penn (born August 17, 1960) is an American actor and film director. He is known for his intense leading man roles in film. List of awards and nominations received by Sean Penn, His accolades include two Academy Awards, a Golden Gl ...
and Robin Wright Penn
Robin Gayle Wright (born April 8, 1966) is an American actress, film producer, producer and film director, director. List of awards and nominations received by Robin WShe has received accolades including a Golden Globe Award, and nominations ...
. Scenes were filmed in Rose Hills Memorial Park.
*'' Red State'' (2011) – Film directed by Kevin Smith
Kevin Patrick Smith (born August 2, 1970) is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. He came to prominence with the low-budget buddy comedy film ''Clerks (film), Clerks'' (1994), which he wrote, directed, co-produced, and acted i ...
and starring Michael Parks. Scenes were filmed at the Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility and Trinity Lutheran Church.
*'' True Blood'' (2008–2014) – Several scenes involving The Fellowship of the Sun church were filmed at the chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park. On the DVD commentary of Season 3, Stephen Moyer says several local girls came to the filming with shirts saying, "The girls are prettier in Whittier".
*'' Roadracers'' (1994) – Film starring David Arquette, John Hawkes, and Salma Hayek
Salma Valgarma Hayek Pinault ( , ; ; born September 2, 1966) is a Mexican and American actress and film producer. She began her career in Mexico with starring roles in the telenovela ''Teresa (1989 TV series), Teresa'' (1989–1991) as well a ...
; directed by Robert Rodriguez
Robert Anthony Rodriguez ( ; born June 20, 1968) is an American filmmaker, composer, and visual effects supervisor. He shoots, edits, produces, and scores many of his films in Mexico and in his home state of Texas. Rodriguez directed the 1992 ...
. Much of the filming occurred in Uptown, the nearby residential neighborhoods, and Turnbull Canyon Road. John Hawkes describes in an interview, "We shot anywhere we could find something that looked like the 1950s. It was difficult near L.A. It was hard to find things that looked authentic to the period and a small Texas town. I think they did a good job finding he locations"
*''The Muppets
The Muppets are an American ensemble cast of puppet characters known for an surreal humor, absurdist, slapstick, burlesque, and self-referential humor, self-referential style of Musical theatre, musical Variety show, variety-sketch comedy. Cre ...
'' (2011) – Film starring Amy Adams
Amy Lou Adams (born August 20, 1974) is an American actress. Known for both her comedic and dramatic roles, she has been featured three times in annual rankings of the world's highest-paid actresses. She has received List of awards and nom ...
and Jason Segel. Scenes at the beginning of Walter and Gary's hometown were shot in a historic Uptown Whittier residential area.
*'' Old Boyfriends'' (1979) - Film starring Talia Shire
Talia Rose Shire (née Coppola; born April 25, 1946) is an American actress and member of the Coppola family. She is best known for her roles as Connie Corleone in The Godfather (film series), ''The Godfather'' trilogy and Adrian Pennino, Adrian ...
, Richard Jordan
Robert Anson Jordan Jr. (July 19, 1937 – August 30, 1993), known professionally as Richard Jordan, was an American actor. A long-time member of the New York Shakespeare Festival, he performed in many Off Broadway and Broadway plays. His films ...
, Keith Carradine, John Belushi
John Adam Belushi ( ; January 24, 1949 – March 5, 1982) was an American comedian, actor, singer and musician. He was one of seven ''Saturday Night Live'' cast members of the first season. He was arguably the most popular member of the ''Satur ...
, John Houseman
John Houseman (born Jacques Haussmann; September 22, 1902 – October 31, 1988) was a Romanians, Romanian-born British Americans, British-American theatre and film producer, actor, director, and teacher. He became known for his highly publ ...
and Buck Henry
Buck Henry (born Henry Zuckerman; December 9, 1930 – January 8, 2020) was an American actor, screenwriter, and director. Henry's contributions to film included his work as a co-writer for Mike Nichols's ''The Graduate'' (1967) for which he re ...
. Scenes with Talia Shire and Keith Carradine were shot near Central Park in historic Uptown Whittier.
*'' The Little Things'' (2021) – Film starring Denzel Washington
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. (born December 28, 1954) is an American actor, producer, and director. Known for his dramatic roles Denzel Washington on screen and stage, on stage and screen, Washington has received List of awards and nominations ...
, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto
Jared Joseph Leto ( ; born December 26, 1971) is an American actor and musician. Known for his method acting in Jared Leto filmography, a variety of roles, he has received List of awards and nominations received by Jared Leto, numerous accolade ...
. Scenes were shot in uptown on Bright Ave.
Sister cities
* Changshu, Jiangsu
Jiangsu is a coastal Provinces of the People's Republic of China, province in East China. It is one of the leading provinces in finance, education, technology, and tourism, with its capital in Nanjing. Jiangsu is the List of Chinese administra ...
, China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
See also
* East Whittier, California—An unincorporated area east of the city limits
* Paradox Hybrid Walnut Tree in Whittier
* Rose Hills, California—An unincorporated area north of the city limits
* South Whittier, California
South Whittier () is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, California just south of the city of Whittier. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined South Whittier as a census-designated place (CDP). As of ...
—An unincorporated area south of the city limits
* West Whittier-Los Nietos, California
West Whittier-Los Nietos () is a census-designated place (CDP) in Los Angeles County, California, United States, near the San Gabriel River and the San Gabriel River (I-605) Freeway. The population was 25,540 at the 2010 census, up from 25,129 ...
—An unincorporated area west of the city limits
References
External links
*
Whittier Public Library
Whittier Chamber of Commerce
{{Authority control
1898 establishments in California
Chicano and Mexican neighborhoods in California
Cities in Los Angeles County, California
Incorporated cities and towns in California
Gateway Cities
Populated places established in 1898