Mount Washington, Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Washington
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Mount Washington neighborhood, as delineated by the Los Angeles Times
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 Mount Washington, Los Angeles
Location in Los Angeles
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | County of Los Angeles |
| City | City of Los Angeles |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.9 sq mi (5 km2) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 12,728 |
| • Density | 6,878/sq mi (2,656/km2) |
| ZIP Code |
90065, 90042
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| Area code(s) | 213/323 |
Mount Washington is a cool, historic neighborhood in Northeast Los Angeles, California. It's part of the San Rafael Hills. This area was started in 1909. It's home to the Southwest Museum and the main office for the Self-Realization Fellowship. You can also find Eldred Street here, which is one of the steepest streets in the whole United States!
Contents
History of Mount Washington
In the 1800s, this land was part of a large area called Rancho San Rafael.
How Mount Washington Began
Mount Washington was officially founded in 1909. A real estate developer named Robert Marsh planned out the neighborhood. He built the Mount Washington Hotel at the very top of the hill.
The Old Railway
Because the hills were so steep, it was hard to build roads. So, the Los Angeles and Mount Washington Railway Company built a special train. It was a funicular railway that pulled cars up the hill. This railway ran until January 1919.
Who Lives Here Now?
Today, Mount Washington is a popular place to live. Many families with good incomes have moved here. It's known as a nice area in the East Side. People are drawn to its natural beauty and unique feel.
People of Mount Washington
In 2000, about 12,728 people lived in Mount Washington. The neighborhood is about 1.85 square miles. This means there were about 6,878 people per square mile. By 2008, the population grew to about 13,531 residents.
Age and Family Life
The average age of residents in 2008 was 33 years old. This is about the same as the rest of Los Angeles. Many men in the area had never been married.
A Diverse Community
Mount Washington is known for having a diverse mix of people. Many residents are from Latino backgrounds. There are also many white and Asian residents. About 41.5% of the people living here were born outside the U.S. Many came from Mexico and El Salvador.
Over the past ten years, the mix of people has continued to change. As of 2009, no single group makes up the majority. This makes Mount Washington a very diverse place, even for Los Angeles. Many families in the area have good incomes.
Geography of Mount Washington
Mount Washington is surrounded by several other neighborhoods. To the north is Eagle Rock. To the east is Highland Park. To the south, southwest, and west is Cypress Park. And to the northwest is Glassell Park.
Important Districts
The neighborhood is split between two Los Angeles City Council districts. These are districts 1 and 14. It is also part of California's 34th congressional district. Most of Mount Washington uses the ZIP Code 90065. A small part on the east uses 90042. The main phone area code is 323.
Education in Mount Washington
Many adults in Mount Washington have completed a four-year college degree. This is about average for Los Angeles.
Local School
There is one school located right in the neighborhood. It is Mount Washington Elementary School. This school is part of the LAUSD district. It is located at 3981 San Rafael Avenue. Students at Mount Washington Elementary often get high scores on academic tests.
Notable Places to Visit
- Southwest Museum: A museum focused on Native American art and culture.
- Lummis House: A historic home built by Charles Fletcher Lummis.
- World Headquarters of the Self-Realization Fellowship: A spiritual organization.
- Eldred Street: This street is very steep! It has a 33% grade. This makes it one of the steepest streets in Los Angeles. It's also one of the steepest in the world. For example, Baldwin Street in New Zealand is 35% steep.
Notable Residents
Many interesting people have lived in Mount Washington.
- Mahershala Ali: An actor.
- Nancy Cartwright: The voice actor for Bart Simpson.
- James Simpson Conwell: A city council member and inventor.
- Marilyn Ferguson: A bestselling author.
- Jimmy Gomez: A U.S. House Representative.
- Jake Longstreth: An artist and radio host.
- Matthew Murphy: A singer and musician from the band The Wombats.
- Jack Smith: A famous columnist.
- Jesse Thorn: A public radio host.
- Antonio Villaraigosa: A former mayor of Los Angeles.
