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

The Washington Elm

Gardena Civic Center

Washington Elm Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, 2016

1. Washington Elm Marker

Inscription. This is a fourth generation of the elm tree under which General George Washington took command of the Continental Army on July 3, 1775; and the Declaration of Independence was first read to the people of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Erected 1987 by Lucille Anthony, and the Gardena Citizens Bicentennial Committee of the U.S. Constitution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 8, 1775.

Location. 33° 53.005′ N, 118° 18.418′ W. Marker is in Gardena, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker is at the intersection of 162nd Street and Harvard Boulevard, on the right when traveling east on 162nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1700 W 162nd St, Gardena CA 90247, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rosecrans Playground (approx. 1.3 miles away); Roosevelt Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Goodyear Historical Sign (approx. 2 miles away); Dr. Charles Sifford (approx. 2.7 miles away); Chester Washington Golf Course

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(approx. 2.7 miles away); Pacific Electric Railway (approx. 3.2 miles away); PFC James Anderson (approx. 3.3 miles away); Site of the Childhood Home of The Beach Boys (approx. 3.4 miles away).

Regarding The Washington Elm. The original 210-year-old tree in Cambridge died in 1923. Root shoots were sent to locations throughout the nation, and some of them still thrive today.
General George Washington was not in Cambridge on July 3, 1775. The story of Washington taking command there is only a myth.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. — The original Washington Elm

Washington Elm and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, 2016

2. Washington Elm and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 320 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 11, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.