The City of Downey is turning 200 and one local organization is planning to celebrate.
The St. George Downey Parish Council is organizing a celebration in honor of the city’s founding. St. George’s is a Greek Orthodox church that holds a Greek festival annually. To celebrate the bicentennial, the parish council is planning games; family-friendly activities; Greek food, music, and drink; and a Bicentennial Program Presentation.
California was a Spanish colony from 1769 until 1871, and during that time, the area that became today’s Downey was part of the Manual Nieto Land Grand, which covered 300,000 acres. The heirs to the grant divided the land in 1834, establishing Rancho Santa Gertudes (now Downey) between the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Rivers. Near the end of the American Civil War John G. Downey immigrated from Ireland and bought 17,000 acres. About ten years later, he began promoting the area, calling it one of Southern California’s “gardens,” an effort that was enhanced by the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad.
The fertile land in the valley made Downey an agricultural and dairy center from its earliest days until World War II. Downey today has businesses in all sectors, with many in health care.
The date of the fun is June 5, from 3.00 pm until 9.00 pm, at St George Greek Orthodox Church on Downey Avenue. Brochure printing can be used to create programs for events like this.
