Pico Rivera was founded in 1958, from the merger of the long-standing unincorporated communities of Pico (named for Pío Pico, the last Mexican governor of California) and Rivera. Situated on a rich sandy plain between the Rio Hondo and the San Gabriel River, the area was once predominantly agricultural; but, at the end of WWII, the fast rising demand for homes lured builders to the attractive terrain. Since the 1950s, it has been both residential as well as industrial. It had a Ford Motor Company plant for many years: Los Angeles Assembly. Pico Rivera lies below the Whittier Narrows, making it one of the “Gateway Cities”.
In January 1958, 56 percent of the electorate voted for incorporation. They approved a Council-Manager form of government, and the name “Pico Rivera” was established for the new city. Five citizens were chosen from a slate of 24 candidates to serve as members of the first City Council; Pico Rivera officially became the 61st city in Los Angeles County. The north side of the city is home to the Pico Rivera Sports Arena, where concerts and other events are held.
The first Stealth Bomber was designed in the city of Pico Rivera at the old Northrop Grumman plant. The B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is an American heavy strategic bomber, featuring low observable stealth technology designed for penetrating dense anti-aircraft defenses; it is a flying wing design with a crew of two. The bomber can deploy both conventional and thermonuclear weapons, such as eighty 500-pound class (230 kg) Mk 82 JDAM Global Positioning System-guided bombs, or sixteen 2,400-pound (1,100 kg) B83 nuclear bombs.
There has been significant redevelopment in the city: the opening of the “Pico Rivera Towne Center,” after the demolition of Northrop Grumman, a 60-acre open-air shopping complex along Washington Boulevard, that has brought in such well-known businesses as L.A. Fitness, Lowe’s, Walmart, Walgreens, TGIF and other businesses into the city.
Landmarks – Whittier Narrows Dam, San Gabriel River, Pico Rivera Golf Course, Del Rae Restaurant, Pico Rivera Sports Arena, the outdoor Town Center, Zapien’s Salsa Grill, Clearmans Steak House and Pio Pico State Park.
Population – 64,660 (Census 2010)
Senior Center – One of the most modern senior centers in the district with 16 computers, new dance floor and a state of the art gym. Pico Rivera has one of the largest women’s clubs in the district with over 400 members.
Largest Employers – El Rancho Unified School District, Manning Beefs, Wal-Mart, Lowe’s