Maywood, California

Maywood, California is a predominantly residential city with a population of over 24,000 and a land area of about 1.17 square miles. Maywood, located a few miles southeast of Downtown Los Angeles, is one of the smallest cities in Los Angeles County. Maywood’s eastern border is described by the Los Angeles River, the parallel-running bike path, and the Long Beach Freeway (Interstate 710). The city of Commerce lies east and north of Maywood. West of Maywood is the city of Huntington Park and the mainly industrial city of Vernon. Sitting on the other side of Randolph Street is Maywood’s southern neighbor, the city of Bell. Other nearby cities include Bell Gardens, Cudahy, South Gate, Pico Rivera, Lynwood, Montebello, and Downey.

The City of Maywood incorporated was in 1924.

Single family detached homes make up more than 50% of Maywood’s housing. More than 70% of Maywood’s housing was built prior to 1970. Over 45% of Maywood’s housing was constructed in the 1940s and 1950s. More Maywood residents commute to Los Angeles for work than any other city. Much of Maywood’s commercial development is strung along its two major thoroughfares: Atlantic Avenue and Slauson Avenue.

Maywood began when a 2,300 acre ranch was subdivided for development in about 1919. The name for the development was derived from a popular young woman called May Wood. May Wood worked for the real estate corporation, Laguna Land & Water Company, which owned, developed, and subdivided the area now known as Maywood.

Long associated with manufacturing, an area just outside of Maywood was once home to a Bethlehem Steel plant.

Located just outside Maywood city limits, Willys-Overland Motors opened an assembly plant in 1929. At one point, the $1.5 million plant employed around 900 people. In 1939, the plant began assembling a deluxe model named the “Californian” that was reportedly created especially for California motorists. During World War II, Lockheed leased the plant for work related to a military aircraft known as the Hudson Bomber. The Willys-Overland Motors Maywood assembly plant later was returned to civilian use. The plant closed in 1954.

Also located just outside Maywood city limits, the Chrysler Corporation Los Angeles Plant opened during the Great Depression in 1932. The plant produced as many as 40,000 motor vehicles in a year and was accessible by rail. In fact, a railroad line entered the building. The plant was converted to assemble aircraft engines and other military-related items during World War II. At its peak in around 1965, 2,100 employees worked at the plant, which had expanded to 86 acres. The plant closed in 1971, apparently due to changes in the rail transport of motor vehicles.

Another manufacturing plant just outside Maywood city limits was the Studebaker Los Angeles Assembly Plant. The plant opened in about 1938 and closed in 1956.

Chartered in 1939, Maywood Lions Club was an influential organization in the mid-20th century, as was the Maywood Chamber of Commerce.

The City of Maywood operates under a council-manager form of government, which is the most common form of municipal government in California. The City Council establishes policy, passes ordinances, and develops a far-reaching vision for the city. City Council members and City Clerk are elected by voters who reside in the City. The five council members (one of whom acts as Mayor and another as Mayor Pro Tempore) have staggered four-year terms and must reside within Maywood city limits. The mayor has a mainly ceremonial role. Council members receive a small salary as well as health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Members of the City Council appoint the City Manager and City Attorney. The City Manager oversees the operations of the City and carries out City Council policy. The City’s most recent budget exceeds $8,000,000. The City of Maywood has prioritized street improvement projects on its two main throughfares: Atlantic Avenue and Slauson Avenue.

The City’s largest expenditure from the General Fund is the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department provides law enforcement services for the City of Maywood. The Maywood/Cudahy Sub-Station is in Maywood.

Maywood is served by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus lines and Maywood Express Shuttle Service.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department provides fire services for the City of Maywood.

While the City of Maywood maintains all streetlights on Atlantic Avenue and Slauson Avenue, most residential streetlights are maintained by Southern California Edison, an electricity supply company.

Maywood has three providers of water services.

Maywood Mutual Water Co. #1 is a non-profit corporation that provides water to over 1,100 water connections in the city of Maywood as well as the city of Huntington Park.

Maywood Mutual Water Co. #2 furnishes water to about 1,900 water connections.

Maywood Mutual Water Company #3 also provides water services.

The City of Maywood contracts with Graffiti Protective Coatings Inc. to remove graffiti within the City. Community Development Block Grant funds are used to pay for the service.

The City of Maywood contracts with Universal Waste Systems for garbage collection within the City.

The City of Maywood contracts with Nationwide Environmental Services, a division of Joe’s Sweeping, Inc., for street sweeping services.

Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control provides animal control services for the City of Maywood.

Schools in the City of Maywood are part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, Bell Cudahy Maywood Community of Schools.

Recently, $3 million in state funds were allotted for the renovation of Maywood Riverfront Park, located on the west bank of the Los Angeles River.

Our office helps those who have experienced harassment at work, or discrimination on the job due to such protected characteristics such as pregnancy, disability, or age, or have been wrongfully fired. Additionally, our office helps those owed wages due to an employer’s failure to pay overtime, or who do not receive legally compliant meal or rest breaks. 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.