Irwindale, California is a sprawling city of few people surrounded by more populated San Gabriel Valley cities and neighborhoods, such as Duarte, Bradbury, Azusa, Covina, Monrovia, El Monte, and Baldwin Park. The City of Irwindale offers splendid views of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. Soaring above the San Gabriel Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, which in the 19th century were commonly referred to as the Sierra Madre, constitute an open space preserve covering about a half million acres, over 90,000 acres of which are designated as wilderness within four United States National Forest Service wilderness areas. Irwindale is built on the alluvial fan of the San Gabriel River (San Gabriel Wash). Irwindale’s sister city is Salvatierra, Mexico. The City of Irwindale was incorporated in 1957, covers about 9.5 square miles, and has a population of over 1,400. Irwindale is about 20 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles. Historic Route 66 passed through what is now Irwindale.
Business and JobsOnce dominated by sand and gravel quarries, Irwindale now has a robust diversified economy. Corporate offices, as well as facilities for packaging, food preparation, distribution, warehousing, and manufacturing are all located within Irwindale’s borders. Irwindale has a business-friendly location in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley. The San Bernardino Freeway (Interstate 10), San Gabriel River Freeway (Interstate 605), and Foothill Freeway (Interstate 210) are all easily accessed from Irwindale, allowing the quick transport of goods and people from the ocean ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and major centers of employment in Pasadena and Los Angeles. The Metro L (Gold) Line passes through Irwindale. The light rail commuter line has an Irwindale Station.
The Irwindale Brew Yard operated by the City Brewing Company occupies 227 acres and has about 1 million square feet of floor space. Formerly operated by Miller Brewing Company, the facility is a landmark for those travelling on the Foothill Freeway. The site was once the home of the original Irwindale Raceway.
Irwindale Speedway and Event Center features two oval racetracks and parking for over 3,000 motor vehicles.
The Irwindale Business Center covers about 120 acres and contains a collection of multi-tenant buildings used mainly by industrial tenants.
One of Irwindale’s largest employers is Southern California Edison, an electric utility company responsible for bringing power to around fifteen million people in Southern California. Among the facilities operated by Southern California Edison in Irwindale is its Energy Education Center, which provides classes for business owners and managers, teaching them how to build and run their operations more energy efficiently.
Another large employer is Ready Pac Foods Inc. Produce is cut, washed, and packaged in clear plastic containers, taking care of the initial steps of salad making for consumers. Products include a variety of salad bowls and salad kits.
Food production is a major industry in Irwindale. Huy Fong Foods, Inc., which is known for its hot sauce, Sriracha, is in Irwindale.
A new material recovery facility is slated to open in Irwindale. Material recovery facilities separate recycling materials to be sold to buyers. Materials include plastics, cardboard, paper, glass, and metal containers. According to its operator, Athens Services, it will be the largest such facility in Los Angeles County, capable of processing 6,000 tons of solid waste per day and will create more than 300 jobs.
MiningRancho Azusa de Dalton, a land grant by the Government of Mexico to Luis Arenas in 1841, included the land that comprises present-day Irwindale. Unlike other portions of the Rancho, which were well-suited for farming and raising livestock, the gently sloping rock and sand strewn landscape of what is now Irwindale was considered worthless. However, at the dawn of the 20th century the demand for quality construction aggregate grew as roads and buildings sprouted up across Southern California. Construction aggregate is a material used in construction consisting of gravel, sand, and crushed rock. Aggregate is also used in concrete and asphalt. Irwindale would prove to be one of the largest sources of quality aggregate in California, carried down by the San Gabriel River from the San Gabriel Mountains. Portions of the range consist of steep slopes and wide swathes of loose rock. Because of this, the San Gabriel Mountains produce an unusually large amount of rock and gravel, much of which settled in the Irwindale area over the course of thousands of years. Commercial aggregate production began in the Irwindale area in about 1900. At least 17 mining sites came to occupy around 70% of Irwindale’s land area. Eventually, some of the mines became inactive when the quarries reached the permitted depth. Some of the mines have reached such a depth that the operators are now dredging below the water table. Other sites have since been repurposed. For example, Irwindale Business Center is on the site of a former quarry. Nonetheless, mining is still a large industry in Irwindale. Hanson Aggregate is one of several companies that conduct mining operations in Irwindale. Revenue from mining operations and other industrial uses has enabled the City Irwindale to have a large budget per resident compared to neighboring communities.
GovernmentThe City of Irwindale uses a Council-Manager form of government. The Irwindale Police Department was formed in 1960. The patrol bureau is the largest component of the Irwindale Police Department.
Irwindale also has its own library system.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department provides fire protection services for the City of Irwindale.
Santa Fe Recreational AreaSanta Fe Recreational Area is an 836-acre facility operated by the County of Los Angeles. Highlights include a 70-acre lake used for fishing and boating. There is also a swim beach and a water play area. Santa Fe Recreational Area is home to the annual Renaissance Pleasure Faire.
Contact UsOur office helps workers who have been harassed or discriminated against at work. Additionally, our office helps workers who are owed wages due to an employer’s failure to pay overtime, or who have not received meal or rest breaks as required by law. The details of each person’s situation are unique, so call the experienced employment attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC. You may also Contact Us via our online form. We advance all costs. No recovery, no fee.