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Real Estate & Homes in Carson - Carson Information
Carson
Carson History
In the 1700s, Carson was included in the sprawling Rancho San Pedro, 75,000 acres of today's southwestern Los Angeles County. Carson, along with Torrance, Redondo Beach, Lomita, Wilmington, and some of San Pedro would all evolve from the rancho, which was owned by a man named Dominguez. The homestead, called Dominguez Rancho, was built in the eastern section of today's Carson. Today, a monument that was constructed in 1826 by Dominguez descendent marks the site. The Battle of Dominguez Ranch, between U.S. and Mexico, took place at the Dominguez home in 1846. A small band of men led by Jose Carrillo fooled the American troops into believing they were outnumbered. The Americans retreated before any serious fighting began, and Carrillo's men celebrated a short-lived victory. The Americans later took the town anyway, and the war officially ended in 1848.
Up until 1860, the hills of Carson were populated with roaming cattle. These cattle supported the region's primary economic activities; hides were sold to sailors at the San Pedro harbor or traded for goods. In 1860, however, a long draught basically decimated the herd and ended most of the cattle trade. In 1869, some of the Dominguez land was donated to the railroad, for construction of a line between Los Angeles and the harbor. Development of the line was a natural decision, because travelers were already passing through the area by coach or horseback to get to the harbor. For the next 100 years, Carson would develop slowly as an industrial hub and smaller residential community. Residents voted to incorporate the city in 1968. The selection of a name was narrowed down to two choices for the voters, Dominguez or Carson. Carson was in honor of John Manuel Carson, an active community figure and businessman in the 20th century and a descendent of the original Dominguez family. The name Carson was chosen over Dominguez by a narrow margin. Since the incorporation in 1968, Carson officials have been working hard to update the city and enhance the quality of life. Notable developments include the construction of California State University at Dominguez Hills, the Carson Civic Center, Carson Community Center, the Home Depot National Training Center, and a shopping complex called the South Bay Pavilion at Carson.
About Carson
Today, Carson is about one-half industrial and one-half residential. The primary industry is oil refining, followed by the manufacture of metals, paper and other products. Most of the industrial space is located at the north and south ends of the city. Though the community is not far from the coastline, it has an urban atmosphere, primarily due to this industrial presence. Housing development in Carson occurred mainly in the middle of the 20th century, between 1950 and 1990. Residential neighborhoods are primarily made up of older subdivisions with two- and three-bedroom homes. Most of these neighborhoods are located in the center of Carson, surrounding the California State University campus.
Activities
Carson's best-known attraction is the Home Depot National Training Center. The center includes facilities for soccer, track and field, cycling, tennis, volleyball, baseball, softball, and basketball. A 27,000-seat soccer stadium is the centerpiece of the site, as well as the home field of two Major League Soccer teams: Los Angeles Galaxy and Club Deportivo Chivas USA. As a designated U.S. Olympic Training Site, the Home Depot Center hosts training activities for many amateur athletics organizations, including USA Cycling, U.S. Track and Field, and USTA. The San Diego Charges, an NFL team, also uses the Home Depot Center as a summer training camp.
Carson has about 19 public park sites, including the Carson Community Center, Dominguez Aquatic Center, and Veterans Sports Complex. The Carson park sites offer many facilities for a variety of athletic interests, including a skate park, courts for racquetball, tennis, and basketball, fields for soccer, football, and baseball, a Frisbee golf course, swimming pools, and fitness center. With such extensive facilities, Carson is able to offer residents many classes, programs, and special recreational activities. These include swimming programs, dance lessons, aerobics classes, bus excursions, and much more. There are two golf courses in Carson, Victoria Golf Course and Dominguez Golf Course and Practice Center. Both are public courses. Other activities include free dance classes at the Dominguez Hills university campus, antique shopping at the Dominguez Hills Antique Flea Market, and perusing fresh produce at the Certified Farmers Market.
Schools
Three districts provide public schooling in Carson: Los Angeles Unified, Compton Unified, and Long Beach Unified. Los Angeles Unified operates a total of over 670 schools throughout Los Angeles County; 17 of these are located in Carson. In addition, Long Beach Unified and Compton Unified each have one campus in Carson. The California Academy of Mathematics and Science (CAMS), a high school, is under the jurisdiction of Long Beach Unified. CAMS are both a National Blue Ribbon School and a California Distinguished School. The school is located on the campus of the California State University at Dominguez Hills, and is known for its excellent academic programs and diverse student body. CAMS students come from 11 public school districts in the surrounding communities. Bunche Elementary is part of Compton Unified.
Private institutions also offer elementary, middle and high school programs in Carson. There are several options for higher learning in and around Carson. Within the city, college-age students may choose from California State University at Dominguez Hills and private programs at Maric College. Other options within 10 miles of Carson include Los Angeles Harbor College, City University at Los Angeles, and El Camino College.
Carson Fast Facts
Location: Carson is located in Los Angeles County between Interstates 110 and 710, with Interstate 405 running roughly through the center of the city. Neighboring cities include Gardena, Lomita, and Torrance. Carson is about 10 miles southeast of Redondo Beach.
Total area*: 18.8 square miles
Population*: 89,730
Housing units*: 25,337
Average annual rainfall: 14 inches
Average temperatures: summer, 71; winter, 58
*Information provided by 2000 Census
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