The history of the community

About Inglewood - Summary

(source: Wikipedia) For a more comprehensive resource of Inglewood's history, visit the Historical Society of Centinela Valley and the oldest home in Inglewood.

Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, United States, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 107,762. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. The city is in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, near Los Angeles International Airport.

The earliest residents of what is now Inglewood were Native Americans who used the Aguaje de Centinela natural springs in today's Edward Vincent Jr. Park (known for most of its history as Centinela Park).

The original settlers of Los Angeles in 1781, one of whom was Spanish soldier Jose Manuel Orchado Machado, "a 23-year-old muleteer from Los Alamos in Sinaloa" were ordered by the officials of the San Gabriel Mission "to graze their animals on the ocean side of Los Angeles in order not to infringe on mission lands." As a result, the settlers, or pobladores, drove some of their cattle to the "lush pasture lands near Centinela Springs", and the first construction there was done by Bruno Ygnacio Ávila, who received a permit in 1822 to build a "corral and hut for his herders." The area that is now Inglewood was divided into two rancho grants: Rancho Sausal Redondo and Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela.

In 1834, Ygnacio Machado, one of the sons of Jose Machado, built the Centinela Adobe, which sits on a rise above the present Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) and is used as the headquarters of the Centinela Valley Historical Society.

Daniel Freeman acquired the rancho and was a founder of the Centinela-Inglewood Land Company in 1887, which developed the city.

Change isn't always easy

The 1960 US Census for the city of Inglewood recorded only 29 "Negros", none were enrolled in Inglewood schools at the time. By 1980 Blacks would eclipse Caucasians as the racial majority.

For decades, racially restrictive covenants and the illegal, yet common practice of "Redlining" kept Blacks from Westside communities including the city of Inglewood.

Through covenants, homeowners would include clauses in the sell of their properties to exclude undesireable minorites. Through Redlining, the FHA defined communites by a color designation with the most prized areas being color coded 'Green' and the least desireable coded 'Red'. Blacks were only provided mortgages for communities coded 'Red'.

The fight for the future

It would not be until the mid 60's that Blacks would be allowed to purchase in Inglewood, all thanks to important civil rights legislation, beginning with the Unruh Civil Rights Act (California Civil Code Section 51) of 1959, authored by legislator and then Morningside Park Resident, Jesse Unruh.

The Act provides protection from discrimination by all business establishments in California, including housing and public accommodations, because of age, ancestry, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation.

The Unruh Act was followed by the Rumford or 'California' Fair Housing Act of 1963, when signed into law was one of the most significant and sweeping laws protecting the rights of Blacks and other people of color to purchase housing without being subjected to discrimination.

Lastly, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, is considered one of the crowning legislative achievements of the civil rights movement but was followed by years of struggle and pushback before equal access would be realized.

By 2007 Inglewood's majority shifted to the Latino community. Today, Latinos represent nearly 50% of the population of the city of Inglewood, yet the Morningside Park community remains strongly African American with an 80% majority.

The opening of the Manchester Terrace Tract in 1927 by the J B Roofing Company marked the start of the Morningside Park community.

The phrase "morningside" was a description used at the turn of the 20th century to describe lands that were situated on the east side of a particular area, and corresponded to the side of the sunrise or "morningside", marking the morning's beginning.

Early History

Morningside Park is a historic neighborhood located in Inglewood, California. The history of Morningside Park dates back to the early 20th century, when the area was first developed as a residential community.

Founded in the late 20’s as a suburban enclave for families desiring to move away from Los Angeles proper to establish their families in the newly released tracts.

A significant number of Morningside Park residents during the 1920s through the 1950s worked outside of the area. One of the most important industries in the region during this time was aerospace manufacturing.

The nearby city of Hawthorne was home to many aerospace companies, including the Douglas Aircraft Company and the Northrop Corporation, which employed thousands of workers in the production of military aircraft during World War II and the Cold War. Many Morningside Park residents worked in these factories, contributing to the war effort, and helping to build a thriving local economy.

Another industry that employed many Morningside Park residents during this time was the entertainment industry along with the industries of healthcare, education, and retail. The nearby Centinela Hospital and Inglewood Unified School District were major employers in the region, while local businesses provided jobs in a variety of fields, from sales and service to construction and transportation.

The 1960's

By 1960 Morningside Park was a thriving community with amenities such as many dining establishments, the Potrero Country Club, the Hollywood Park Race Track and before the world famous Forum opened in 1967, stood the Inglewood Golf Course.

Despite Conflicts-Inglewood Remains 'The City of Champions'

A list of 'Whose Who', some were born here, others moved in but all are from Inglewood.

We know! It's not a complete list since you're not here...Next time!

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Still Thriving

Contrary to the fears of the 60's that a large influx of 'Negro' homeowners would lead to the ghettofication of the, city Morningside Park has developed into a enclave of African American progressiveness.

Today, the Morniningside Park community is a reflection of the triumphs and the sacrifices made generations earlier by Black families with the help of supporters of civil rights. Their courage and enterprise led to the integration of an otherwise unwelcoming environment driven by their hopes and dreams of a better future. Today the dividens are now being returned in the form of the professionals, scholars, creatives, and leaders, many decendants of those trailblazers and the product of their efforts to create greater opportunity for their children and grandchildren.

Yes, Morningside Park still faces challenges, not unlike every other urban and suburban community in the United States. Yet, Morningside Park is a resilient community and its strengths lies in its 'Social Capital', its people and their knowledge, its culture and its character.

“Morningside Park is a special and a unique place with assets that position it to serve as a model for other communities.”

We believe supporting our assets by celebrating the history and culture of the community, recognizing thought leaders and creatives, advocating for infrastructure improvements, and assisting local businesses to thrive and grow is the way to keep Morningside Park vibrant.

Please join us in this effort!

Interesting Facts

Manchester and Van Ness is the highest elevation in the city.
The Morningside Park community has the highest density of African American residents in Los Angeles County.

Morningside Park has more then 100 Black-Owned, brick-and-mortor business, the second largest in the County.

When orignally settled the land was prized for its soil quality and was often used for farming including raising poultry.
Inglewood was known as the Hub city, because of it central proximity to Downtown Los Angeles, the beaches and the rest of the Southbay.

Our History and Culture

Incorporated In 1908

About Inglewood - Summary

Demographic Shift

Change isn't always easy

The fight for the future

Morningside Park

Early History

The 1960's

Whose Who

Despite Conflicts-Inglewood Remains 'The City of Champions'

Morningside Park Today

Still Thriving

Interesting Facts

Morningside Park Tomorrow

What does the future hold for Morningside Park?

Incorporated In
1908

Whose
Who

Morningside Park
Today

Morningside Park
Tomorrow