City of Downey history

In April of 1874, the people of Downey City heard the first whistle of a Southern Pacific train lumbering into town.

In the east-central region is the Trans-Sierra desert, which extends along the sheer east escarpment of the Sierra Nevada range and comprises part of the vast interstate Great Basin of the Basin and Range Province. Its largest towns are in the Owens Valley, which was a fertile farmland until its groundwater flow was diverted to Los Angeles through a mammoth series of conduits built in 1908–13.

When, in September 1915, the Los Angeles County Library System opened a new branch in Downey, the social club turned over its entire collection to them.

By 1935, Downey was known as an “orange-grove town.” Along with the abundance of oranges, farmers in the area were growing grain, corn, castor beans and fruit.

In 1936, aviation pioneer Jerry Vultee purchased an airstrip in Downey, which was previously owned by E.M. Smith.

During World War II, Vultee Aircraft was Downey's largest employer, producing 15% of all of America's military aircraft by 1941.

Workers in Downey building Vultee Vengeance bombers for the Royal Air Force in 1943.

In 1948, McDonald’s No.

Vultee Aircraft also shifted from developing aircrafts to working with missile technology in the 1950’s. “Over 25,000 employees worked in Downey on the Apollo Space Program.”

A community college was established in neighbouring Norwalk in 1955.

The library was moved into the former school’s cafeteria building, and opened its doors on July 1, 1958, with a full-time staff of six and about 5,000 books.

In the 1960’s, Bell noticed “prosperity and growth” in the city of Downey, California.

By 1964, 8 other Taco Bell restaurants had popped up in Southern California.

The restaurant attracted thousands of people from all over the United States that wanted to experience the phenomenon of “The Broiler.” In 1968, Harvey’s Broiler was renamed Johnnie’s Broiler.

As times changed, so did “The Broiler.” In 1970, Johnnie’s Broiler stopped offering drive-in curb service.

Not only was Allen a no nonsense Principal who did what it took to get the job done, he also excelled as the athletic director, leading the Downey Vikings to a League title in 1971, after beating local high school team Dominguez 25-20.

By 1976, there was a celebration held for Taco Bell No.

Upon graduating from college in the 1980’s, Betty, Raul Jr. and Margarita continued to work at Porto’s, each taking a more specific set of job duties.

The lake and adjoining parks and recreational facilities were opened in 1981.

With a collection that had grown to over 106,000 volumes, the City recognized a need for additional space so in February of 1984 the library received an additional 12,000 sq. ft.

Sadly, Taco Bell Numero Uno closed its doors in 1986, due to its lack of indoor seating and drive-thrus, which had become attractive qualities in other popular and larger restaurants.

In the 1990’s, Porto’s expanded to a 20,000-square foot store.

The restaurant eventually closed down due to low sales, damage from the 1994 Northridge earthquake and the lack of a drive-up window and indoor seating.

Johnie’s Broiler ended operations on December 31, 2001.

In April 2008, Jim Louder, who was the owner of a Bob’s Big Boy restaurant in Torrance, California, rebuilt the restaurant, with the help of Downey’s Redevelopment Agency and the Downey Historical Society.

The Space Center officially opened in 2009 in celebration of the the Apollo Space Program, NASA and the Space Shuttle.

In December 2014, the original Taco Bell building was vacated for good.

As of 2015, Taco Bell Numero Uno had changed locations and was removed from Firestone Boulevard in Downey.