Lynwood Centennial – Did You Know About The Flood? Original Text

Press release from the City of Lynwood:

April 26, 2021

In 1934, a flood hit Long Beach Boulevard, bringing ankle deep water on the streets and sidewalks.

From the “Images of America: Lynwood” book:

“Floodwater swamp V.A. Nation office and Lynwood Roofing on Imperial Highway east of Long Beach Boulevard in 1934. Long Beach Boulevard businesses were plagued by recurring floods. One source was the high grade of the rail bed in the middle of the road. Business doorways were much lower, so water pooled along the buildings and doors. The other floodwater came from pools that formed around Peach Street to the railroad. From there, water flowed eastward, straight down to Fernwood Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard.”

Flooding continued to be a problem for Lynwood. More from the book:

“The business merchants on Long Beach Boulevard petitioned the city engineer for a solution to the drainage issue created by the train bed. I the late 1930’s, the city was granted permission from Pacific Electric Railway to construct culverts beneath the tracks at Peach Street and California Avenue, but culverts did not solve the problem entirely. Water no longer flowed to Long Beach Boulevard but, instead, the flooded homes along Peach Street. By 1936, floodwaters had evolved into one of the Lynwood’s most contentious problems. After a study by Los Angeles County Flood Control officials, the Los Angeles River bed was lined with concrete and a new railroad bridge was implemented.”

The flooding stopped and we have Los Angeles River along the 710 freeway.

If you want to read more about the history of Lynwood, you can order the book here: http://lynwood.ca.us/history-2/

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This press release was produced by the City of Lynwood. The views expressed are the author's own.