Rosemead in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Ira Thompson

(1800–1866) (No stone)

— Savannah Memorial Park —

Ira Thompson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, December 1, 2018

1. Ira Thompson Marker

Inscription. Leader of the first wagon train to arrive in this area. They left Independence Missouri in June 1850 and headed west hoping to find gold. They traveled for 14 months and endured many adversities and hardships. Arriving in 1851 at a site, later to become El Monte, they decided to stay. He established the first stagecoach depot and later built the “Willow Grove Hotel.” He was the first postmaster of El Monte Post Office located in his hotel.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1850.

Location. 34° 4.915′ N, 118° 4.035′ W. Marker is in Rosemead, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker can be reached from Valley Boulevard east of Loma Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9263 Valley Blvd, Rosemead CA 91770, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Grant P. Cuddeback (a few steps from this marker); Nicholas Smith (a few steps from this marker); William Slack (a few steps from this marker); Elizabeth Glenn (a few steps from this marker); John T. Haddox (a few steps from this marker); Dr. Ada (Quinn) Brasher (a few steps from this marker); William H. Freer

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(a few steps from this marker); Wiley Wilson (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rosemead.

Also see . . . Ira W. Thompson. Excerpt:

In June of 1850 the family set out from Independence, Missouri, in company with several other parties for California. During the journey, at Fort Yuma, Arizona, a daughter was born to Mrs. Thompson. In July of 1851, nearly fourteen months after their departure from Independence and following many privations and hardships, they arrived in California, and camped on a site which is now El Monte. Here the wagon train camped for a time, Mr. Thompson finally deciding to remain here and establish a stage depot. This he did, and later he built a hotel which he named the “Willow Grove Hotel”. This was to become an important institution in El Monte’s history and development. Mr. Thompson also improved and farmed fifty acres of land nearby.

(Submitted on July 12, 2020.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, December 1, 2018

2. Ira Thompson Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.