Wrigley, Long Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wrigley, California
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The Wrigley neighborhood of Long Beach, California. Willow Street runs from the right side of the photo, through the center of the neighborhood, to the bridge crossing the Los Angeles River on the left.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County |  Los Angeles |
| City |  Long Beach |
Wrigley is a group of neighborhoods located in Long Beach, California. It includes areas like North Wrigley, South Wrigley, Southeast Wrigley, and Wrigley Heights. The neighborhood gets its name from William Wrigley Jr., who was famous for creating the Wrigley Spearmint Gum in Chicago. It was one of the first communities built in Long Beach. Most of Wrigley is laid out in a simple grid pattern, like a checkerboard.
This area is bordered by Interstate 405 to the north and Pacific Coast Highway to the south. To the east, you'll find Long Beach Boulevard, and the Los Angeles River forms the western boundary. Another important road, Pacific Avenue, runs through the area with many shops and businesses.
Wrigley has a community park called Veterans Park. It's easy to get to local freeways from here. The neighborhood also has access to the A Line light rail system. There's a new shopping area called Wrigley Marketplace. This marketplace is a cool project between Long Beach and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. It offers stores for local residents and a modern park and ride spot for people who use the light rail.
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History of Wrigley
How Wrigley Began
The way the streets and lots are laid out in Wrigley was first planned in 1905. Between 1928 and 1934, William Wrigley's company built homes on 48 different lots. These groups of homes are now known as the Wrigley Landmark District.
The Encinas Ranch Story
In 1914, a person named George Encinas bought about six and a half acres of land from the Bixby family. He used this land to start the Encinas family ranch. The main ranch house, located at 625 Baker Street, was taken down in 1960. This happened when Interstate 405 was being built. In 2011, a new park called Baker Street Park was created right where the old ranch house used to be.
Building Wrigley Heights
The homes in the area known as Wrigley Heights were built by a developer named Lloyd Whaley.
Old Train Tracks
A train track from the Pacific Electric company used to run where the Daisy Avenue Greenbelt is today. This greenbelt is now a nice open space.
Architecture in Wrigley
Building Styles You Might See
- Cheney-Delaney Residence: This house is an example of Streamline Moderne style. This style often features smooth, rounded shapes and long horizontal lines, like a fast train or ship.
