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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

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);

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William H. Freer (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 . . . Biography of Ira W. Thompson of El Monte California. California Genealogy website entry (Submitted on November 29, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

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

2. Ira Thompson Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 426 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.