City, Los Angeles County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Codes: 91740, 91741
Middle to upper-middle bedroom city in foothills of San Gabriel Mountains, in the East County. School rankings high, crime low, pretty town, well maintained. Population 52,362. www.mccormacks.com
Median age of residents is 37. Under 18 years, 28 percent. Over 55 years, 23 percent. Mature but still many families.
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Although Glendora, which used to grow oranges and lemons, got its boom right after World War II and built many three-bedroom homes, the town comes across as up market.
The lawns, shrubs, trees, the housing show a higher level of care than found in many post-war communities. Many homes have been remodeled and added window boxes and other touches. The later housing, built near and above Sierra Madre Avenue, runs to large and custom designed.
Trees plentiful. Two streets have tall palms entwined with bougainvillea, supposedly the largest display of this plant in the continental U.S. Some streets disappear into hills of trees and shrubs.
Historic district mixes bungalows with newer homes. Restaurants, shops, sidewalk cafes along Glendora Avenue, near the civic center, the heart of town. Many of the older buildings and churches in downtown have been preserved, giving Glendora a sense of continuity. Sign ordinance discourages the garish, code enforcement keeps up appearances. In many towns, residents routinely post flyers for garage sales. It Glendora, it's a no-no. www.mccormacks.com
Mountains to the north, foothills to the south, Glendora seems secluded, of being outside the hustle and bustle. One problem: bears descend from the hills and raid the garbage cans.
State in 2008 counted 17,354 units: 12,639 single homes, 1,094 single attached, 2,778 multiples, 843 mobiles.
One of first landowners lived near a glen and had a wife named Leadora — Glendora.
Very little new housing. In 2006, after three years of massaging, the city okayed the construction of 53 single homes and 87 condos. As part of the package, the developer included a small park. Town is arguing over building homes near the golf course and on the site of a plant nursery.
Students attend schools in Glendora District and on south side, the Charter Oak district. Just about all the schools in Glendora are scoring in the 70th to 90th percentile. Both districts in recent years have passed bonds to renovate and upgrade their facilities. In 2005, the Glendora district passed another bond to upgrade its schools and improve their high-tech equipment. New school library shared with town. See Schools.
Citrus Community College, on the east side of town, fields many sports and cultural activities that are open to local residents. Private college nearby. www.mccormacks.com
Zero homicides in 2005, 2004, 2003, three in 2002, zero in 2001, two in 2000. The counts for previous years are 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 3, 0, 1, 0, 1. Glendora has its own police department, which issues annual reports about response times, staffing, crimes and cases solved or cleared. See Crime.
Seniors center, golf course and country club, wilderness park, Angeles National Forest, well-stocked library, 10 parks, including a sports park and an equestrian park. Hiking on trails that lead into the mountains. City rec. offerings include lessons in French and Spanish, piano, guitar and drums. Performing arts center at college.
Medical center. Many shops, supermarket along Alosta Avenue (Route 66). Farmers market.
Train tracks through town; check out noise. Twenty-seven miles to downtown L.A., probably main drawback to the town. But jobs in nearby towns are plentiful. Shuttle buses to commute rail station in Covina.
In planning, a light-rail line that would run from Pasadena to Claremont with a station in Glendora. The line would tie into the Gold line that runs from downtown L.A. to Pasadena. Construction, it is hoped, will be completed by 2013. www.mccormacks.com
Business center on east side, near freeway.
For orientation on cities, towns and neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, see County Overview.
Chamber of commerce: (626) 963-4128.
• To open in 2007: shopping plaza near Interstate 210 and Lone Hill Avenue in southeast part of Glendora. Tenants to include Barnes and Noble Bookstore, 24-hour Fitness, Old Navy, Lane Bryant and a variety of restaurants.
City web site: www.ci.glendora.ca.us
