Contrary to popular belief, Longden Avenue was not named for the jockey, Johnnie Longden, but for Orray W. Longden a distinguished resident of San Gabriel. Orray was a Los Angeles County Supervisor from 1899 until his death in 1905. He was a justice of the peace, a school trustee and a founding member of the San Gabriel Valley County Club, and being a revered citizen of San Gabriel, a street was named after him in 1928.
As West Arcadia developed eastward from Baldwin Avenue to Santa Anita Avenue, it was decided to extend the street named Longden in County territory (now Temple City) all the way through the city to its eastern border, thus changing San Joaquin to Longden Avenue. In time, Longden Avenue would become a major thru East-west Street in San Gabriel, Temple City and Arcadia.
We hope you enjoy our Historical Tid Bits about Arcadia, CA
Carol Libby and Karen Hou
Please feel free to share, post, tweet and spread the history!
Carol Libby & Karen Hou
Arcadia Historical Society