Street Sweeping Updates | Trash/Recycling Programs | Immigration Resources

  • Register | Sign In

City Hall

16400 Colorado Avenue | Paramount, CA 90723

(562) 220-2036

Hours

Monday through Thursday

8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Historic Context Statement

This initiative highlights trends and patterns critical to understanding the City’s rich history in development and growth. 

(NEW) Historic Context Statement

Updated March 2026

Historic Context Statement

Updated April 2025

Historic Context Statement

Commissioned by the City’s Planning and Building Department in January 2024 and prepared by Historic Resources Group (HRG), this comprehensive document explores Paramount’s development from its earliest inhabitants through 1980, offering a framework for evaluating the City’s built environment within the appropriate historical, social, and architectural context. 

As the first of its kind for Paramount, the Historic Context Statement draws on primary and secondary literature review to identify key periods of growth, historical trends, and important figures, including:

  • City surveys, assessments, and permits
  • Historical property maps and photographs
  • Archives from CSU Dominguez Hills, Paramount Historical Society, Paramount Library Local History Collection

The Historic Context Statement begins with the early Native American inhabitants, including the Tongva, Kizh, and/or Gabrielino/Gabrieliño/Gabrieleno/Gabrieleño, followed by European exploration and the Rancho Era (1784-1885), which set the stage for subsequent modern-day development. A significant period of growth from 1920 to 1940 led to the distinct communities of Clearwater and Hynes growing and collaborating, ultimately unifying in 1948 under the name Paramount and later incorporating as a municipality in 1957. 

By examining the role of both public and private properties within the context of these events, the statement provides information on potential historic resources within the City, whether protecting the integrity of existing buildings or identifying structures that may become historically significant in the future. The document illustrates development patterns and architectural styles, noting locations previously demolished in order to present a complete picture of Paramount.

Please note that historic designation is a separate outreach process that includes City Council review and public participation, and the Historic Context Statement is not intended to be a comprehensive history.  

To view the Citywide Historic Context Statement, please click here to review the March 2026 document.

Historic Context Statement Update (1970-1999)
As a follow-up to the Historic Context Statement completed in 2025, the Historic Context Statement Update covers the years from 1970 to 1999. This update includes an additional discussion of ethnic diversity in the city, development patterns in the 1970s, and a narrative overview of the late 20th century. 
 
This period included the construction of the Century Freeway (I-105), the redevelopment of the central business district centered along Paramount Boulevard, and the successful and positive transformation of Paramount after a 1982 RAND Corporation report negatively classified the city.
 
The development of this document includes interviews of Paramount residents and business owners who lived through this important history and were happy to share their perspectives.
 
Share Your Feedback
The City Council will review the Historic Context Statement Update at the April 28, 2026 City Council meeting. 
 
The Paramount community is welcome to review the draft document and provide comments to the Planning and Building Department at askplanning@paramountcity.gov or by calling 562-220-2036. Please click here to review the document.
 Current Events

Current Events:
✕

×