Following is a historical overview of the City of Torrance, organized into sections that include some of the key events, development and changes that have shaped Torrance into the balanced City that we know today. It begins with the founding of the City in 1912.

• 1912-1921: Creating a Planned Modern Industrial City
• 1921-1930: Growing Population, Growing City
• 1930s: A Changing Economic Landscape
• 1940s: Torrance and World War II
• 1950s: Torrance Thrives After the War
• 1960s: Torrance Grows as Residential, Retail Hub
• 1970s: Redevelopment Reigns in Torrance
• 1980s and 90s: Reinvesting in Community
• 2000s and Beyond: Building for the Future

This historical
overview can
also be viewed
and downloaded
as a PDF file.

More information about the City’s history is available from:

• Torrance Library
• Torrance Centennial Videos
• Torrance Fire Department
• Torrance Police Department
• Torrance Historic Newspaper & Directories
• Torrance Historical Society & Museum

Special thanks to the following for the use of historic photos: Torrance Historical Society & Museum; Cal State Dominguez Hills; University of Southern California; Los Angeles Public Library; Mount Lowe Preservation Society; Metro-LA Archives; images also provided by the City of Torrance.