Whittier, incorporated in 1898, is a city in Southern California surrounded by three unincorporated communities sharing the Whittier name, West Whittier-Los Nietos, South Whittier, and East Whittier which combined are home to a larger population than the city of Whittier. Because of its proximity to the San Gabriel Valley. Whittier is often referred to as being located within the San Gabriel Valley. The name of the city was named after John Greenleaf Whittier, an abolitionist and highly respected Quaker poet. The Los Angeles County city has a large Quaker population, more than one hundred years after the city was founded. Whittier is bordered by the community of Hacienda Heights to the northeast, the City of Industry to the north, and several other (unincorporated communities in the San Gabriel Valley mostly to the north. Pico Rivera is to the west, La Habra Heights is to the east, La Habra is to the southeast, and Santa Fe Springs is to the south. The city is known to be one of the largest walnut growers in the United States. The largest employer in the city is the Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital which is a large regional hospital.

Neighborhoods within Whittier include Uptown Whittier which includes the central business district, the historic district of Central Park and Hadley-Greenleaf, Starlite Estates, and the historic district of College Hills which is the location of Whittier College. Local schools include Plymouth Christian School, Whittier Friends School, Trinity Lutheran School, and Whittier Christian School. There are also several public schools.

Whittier College

Whittier College, founded in 1887, is a private four year liberal arts college named for the Quaker abolitionist and poet John Greenleaf Whittier. The college offers more than thirty majors and thirty minors in over 23 disciplines. The most popular undergraduate majors are Business Administration and Management, Social Sciences, and English Language and Literature. The number of students averages about one-thousand. Students are from 27 states and 14 countries.

 

Rio Hondo College

Rio Hondo College is a two-year public community college founded in Whittier in 1963. The college primarily serves Whittier, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, EI Monte, and South EI Monte. Rio Hondo College offers 30 associate degrees and 127 professional certificates. Most earned units are transferable to the California State Universities. The college also offers a Pathway to Law School program. The annual enrollment averages more than 4,900 full-time students and over 16,000 part-time students.

 

Rio Pico State Historic Park

Pio Pico State Historic Park is the site of EI Ranchito, also known as the Pico Adobe or Pio Pico Mansion. The home, built in 1853, was the final home of Pio Pico, the last Governor of Alta California under Mexican rule. The home is situated on three acres and has been designated a California Historical Landmark. It is also listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Just west of the famous landmark is the Los Angeles River and the city of Pico Rivera, named after the governor.

 

Whittier Historical Society - Whittier Museum

The Whittier Historical Society owns and operates the Whittier Museum and provides tours of the historic Bailey House. It's mission is to collect, preserve, and display materials of historic significance to the greater Whittier area. It also produces programs and special exhibits of significance to the community. The museum and House are open to the public with free admission.

 

Hoover Hotel

The Hoover Hotel, constructed in 1930, is a historic six-story, 100-room hotel built in the Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architectural styles. The magnificent property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been converted to an affordable housing project.

 

AHMC Healthcare

AHMC Healthcare, established in 2004, is a privately owned, for-profit hospital corporation based in the San Gabriel Valley Region of Los Angeles County. AHMC owns and operates Alhambra Hospital Medical Center, Garfield Medical Center in Monterey Park, the Greater EI Monte Community Hospital, Monterey Park Hospital, Whittier Hospital Medical Center, San Gabriel Valley Medical Center in San Gabriel, and several others located outside of the San Gabriel Valley. AHMC operates more than 2,000 beds and employs over 10,000 caregivers.

 

Whittier Chamber of Commerce

The Whittier Chamber of Commerce offers its members excellent networking opportunities, educational opportunities, marketing assistance, and superior legislative advocacy. For more than 100 years, the chamber has represented the business community in Whittier, Hacienda Heights, La Habra, Montebello, Santa Fe Springs, and the surrounding communities.

 

Rancho Los Nietos

Rancho Los Nietos was one of the largest Spanish land grants made in present-day California, consisting of over 300,000 acres. The grant, made in 1784, included present-day Whittier, Lakewood, Long Beach, Norwalk, Downey, and several other Southern California cities and unincorporated communities.