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Downey is a city in southeast Los Angeles County, set between the Rio Hondo and the San Gabriel River about 13 miles from downtown Los Angeles. It was founded in 1873 and named for John Gately Downey, a former governor of California who bought land here and helped turn the area into a farming town of orange groves, walnuts and dairies.
In the 20th century Downey became a center of the aerospace industry. Engineers at the plant here helped build parts for the Apollo program and the Space Shuttle, a story now told at the Columbia Memorial Space Center. Downey is also home to the oldest operating McDonald's restaurant, opened in 1953 with its original golden arches and walk-up windows.
Today Downey is a busy suburban city with a revived downtown of restaurants and shops, the Downey Theatre, large shady parks and trails along the river channels, and easy access to Los Angeles and Long Beach.
The Columbia Memorial Space Center stands on the site of the plant where Apollo spacecraft and Space Shuttle parts were built. It offers hands-on exhibits, a mission simulator and programs that inspire young scientists.
Opened in 1953, the McDonald's on Lakewood Boulevard is the oldest operating McDonald's in the world. It keeps its original golden arches, walk-up windows and Speedee sign, plus a small museum and gift shop.
Downtown Downey along Downey Avenue and Firestone Boulevard has restaurants, cafes, bakeries and shops, with outdoor dining, events and a lively evening scene that draws people from across southeast Los Angeles County.
The Downey Theatre, run by the city, hosts concerts, plays, dance, symphony performances and community shows through the year, and is home to the Downey Symphony, one of the area's long running orchestras.
Furman Park is one of Downey's largest parks, with wide lawns, mature trees, playgrounds, sports fields, picnic areas and a community center, plus summer concerts and events that bring families together.
Wilderness Park is a peaceful green space along the San Gabriel River with a pond, walking paths, picnic areas and a nature feel, popular for family gatherings, fishing and relaxed walks under the trees.
The San Gabriel River Trail runs along Downey's eastern edge on its way from the San Gabriel Mountains to the ocean at Seal Beach, a long paved path that is popular with cyclists, runners and walkers.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
Photo: Northwalker, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Rafajs77 at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Rafajs77 at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Josh Lim (Sky Harbor), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Northwalker, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: NASA, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: InSapphoWeTrust, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Northwalker, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Northwalker, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Andrew Blackburn, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: InSapphoWeTrust, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Photo by Bryan Hong (Brybry26), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: Rafajs77, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain