Arlington Heights, Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arlington Heights
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Arlington Heights neighborhood sign
located at the intersection of Arlington Avenue and Washington Boulevard |
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 Arlington Heights
Location in Los Angeles
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| City | Los Angeles |
Arlington Heights is a friendly neighborhood located in Central Los Angeles, California. It's a place with a rich history and a diverse community.
Contents
History of Arlington Heights
How Arlington Heights Began
In July 1904, a large piece of land called Arlington Heights was sold for $75,000. This land was about 60 acres, which is like 45 football fields! It was located between Pico Street and Washington Street. A streetcar line even ran through it, making it easy to get around.
The plan was to divide this big piece of land into smaller lots for homes. The streets were also going to be improved to make the area nice. By 1906, you could buy these new lots for prices ranging from $995 to $2900.
In 1910, the people living in Arlington Heights wanted a school. Their improvement association spent $16,000 to buy 10 lots for a new school building. They planned to spend another $25,000 to build the school itself.
Saving Homes from Demolition
In 1988, there was a plan to expand Mount Vernon Junior High School. This plan would have meant tearing down 29 homes in the neighborhood. The Los Angeles Times newspaper called Arlington Heights an "Inner City Oasis" at that time.
The school district was thinking about two choices: either tear down homes or add more floors to the existing school buildings. The community worked hard to protect their homes. The next month, the newspaper reported good news: the expansion plan was stopped, and the homes would not be taken. Homeowners then tried to get their houses recognized as historic places. This would help protect them from future changes.
Renaming Mount Vernon Junior High
In the 1990s, some people wanted to rename Mount Vernon Junior High. They suggested naming it after Wyatt Earp, a famous figure from the Old West. This was because the school was built where Wyatt Earp used to live.
However, this idea faced some opposition and was later dropped. In 2006, the school was finally renamed after a famous attorney, Johnnie L. Cochran Jr.. He had actually attended Mount Vernon Junior High himself and was part of the debating team. The street where the school is located was also renamed Johnnie Cochran Vista.
Geography of Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights is clearly defined by its boundaries. The City of Los Angeles officially described it in 2002.
- To the west, it's bordered by Arlington Avenue.
- To the east, it's bordered by Crenshaw Boulevard.
- To the north, it's bordered by Pico Boulevard.
- To the south, it's bordered by Washington Boulevard.
You can find neighborhood signs at several corners, like Arlington and Pico Boulevard, and Crenshaw and Washington Boulevards. These signs help people know when they are entering Arlington Heights.
Several other neighborhoods are close by:
- Country Club Park is just north of Pico Boulevard.
- Angelus Vista is east of Arlington Avenue.
- Victoria Park and Lafayette Square are west of Crenshaw Boulevard.
- West Adams Terrace is to the south.
The Los Angeles Times has a project called "Mapping L.A." Their definition of Arlington Heights includes some of these nearby areas like Country Club Park and Angelus Vista.
Population in Arlington Heights
Let's look at some facts about the people living in Arlington Heights. These numbers are based on the area defined by the Los Angeles Times Mapping L.A. project.
In 2000, about 22,096 people lived in this neighborhood. It's a pretty busy place, with many people living in a small area. By 2008, the population had grown to about 23,330. The average age of residents was 31, which is typical for Los Angeles.
Arlington Heights is known for being a very diverse neighborhood. In 2000, the community included:
- Latinos: 56.6%
- Blacks: 24.5%
- Asians: 12.9%
- Whites: 4.7%
- Other groups: 1.2%
Many residents were born outside the United States, which is common in Los Angeles. The most common birthplaces for these residents were Mexico and El Salvador.
The average household income in 2008 was about $31,421. Most people in Arlington Heights rent their homes or apartments, with about 81.6% of housing units being rented. The average household size was three people.
When it comes to education, about 13.9% of adults aged 25 and older had a four-year college degree in 2000. This is about average for the city.
Historic-Cultural Monuments
Arlington Heights has some buildings that are recognized as important historical sites.
- The original building for the Washington Irving branch library is at 1802 South Arlington Avenue. It was built in 1926 and became a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1986.
- The Tate-McCoy Homestead is at 1463–1469 S. Norton Avenue. This home became a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2005.
Landmarks and Attractions
- Jewel's Catch One is a famous nightclub that opened in 1973 at 4067 West Pico Boulevard. It was a very important place for music and community. Since 2015, it has continued to be a popular spot for live DJ sets and performances by house music and rap artists.
Parks and Recreation
- Washington Irving Pocket Park is a small, nice park located at 4103 West Washington Boulevard. It's a 13-acre park right next to the library, perfect for relaxing outdoors.
Public Libraries
The neighborhood is served by the Los Angeles Public Library system. There is one library branch located in Arlington Heights.
- The Washington Irving library is at 4117 West Washington Boulevard. It's just east of Crenshaw Boulevard.
Public Schools
Arlington Heights is home to several schools for students of different ages.
- Los Angeles Technology Center, part of LAUSD adult education, is at 3721 Washington Boulevard.
- Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Middle School, an LAUSD school, is at 4066 West Johnnie Cochran Vista.
- Arlington Heights Elementary School, also an LAUSD school, is at 1717 Seventh Avenue.
Notable Residents
Some interesting people have lived in Arlington Heights.
- James Hanley lived at 1152 Norton Avenue.
- Wyatt Earp lived at 4004 W. 17th Street.
See also
In Spanish: Arlington Heights (California) para niños
