Temple City Tutors

About Temple City

Primarily a residential suburb of Los Angeles, Temple City, California is in the western part of the San Gabriel Valley. Originally part of Mexican land grants owned by Benjamin Wilson, John Rowland and William Workman, the area which is now Temple City was founded by Walter Temple, the grandson of Workman, in 1923. The Workman-Temple connection goes back much further, however. Both Workman and Pliny Fisk Temple came to California in 1841. Workman, who was originally from England, and his partner Rowland had become Mexican citizens and took Mexican wives in the 1820’s while they lived in Taos, New Mexico. Nevertheless, they came under suspicion as disloyal to Mexico so they took the Old Spanish Trail to California. Rowland purchased Rancho La Puente, again partnering with Workman. The two men began raising various crops and herding cattle. P.F. Temple sailed to California from Massachusetts to join his brother Jonathan who had done quite well for himself in California, owning a thriving general store in Los Angeles and Rancho Los Cerritos in what is now Long Beach. For a time, Pliny worked for his brother before marrying Antonia Margarita Workman, William’s daughter. While Workman and Temple prospered for many years the financial panic which gripped California in the 1870’s ruined them, so much so that Workman took his life in 1876. In the beginning of the 20th century, Pliny’s son Walter brought a resurgence of the family business, mostly through oil and real estate. In 1923 he purchased 400 acres of land just south of Arcadia where he established the city of Temple, later to become Temple City. Today, more can be learned at the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum in City of Industry. The El Campo Santo cemetery at the homestead is the last resting place for the families as well as Rowland.

It’s certain that a Temple City tutor will be able to get you caught up on your toughest academic subjects so you can take some time away from the books to enjoy the variety of things to do in Temple City and the greater Los Angeles area. Since 1944, Temple City has held its annual Camellia Festival for three days in February. The festival features a parade, carnival, food vendors and entertainment including music, dance and theater performances. The festival originated when the Women’s Club of Temple City held a contest to choose a flower and slogan best representing the community. The winner, “Temple City, Home of Camellias” was a unanimous choice.

Although Temple City is in the middle of the big city, residents have several outdoor recreational options. Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest is only about two hours away. The lake offers both summer and winter fun with hiking, boating, skiing and sledding. Much closer to Temple City, Whittier Narrows is a 1,492-acre park offering three lakes with boating and fishing, BMX racing, hiking and equestrian trails, picnic areas and a disc golf course.

It’s a short drive north from Temple City to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, a 127-acre oasis in nearby Arcadia which features a variety of plant habitats. The gardens are organized geographically and chronologically around Baldwin Lake, named after California pioneering businessman E.J. “Lucky” Baldwin. Gardens include South America, Australia, Africa and the Prehistoric Forest. The arboretum offers a variety of events throughout the year including concerts and tours.