Page Contents for Signal Hill, California

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The California state capital is Sacramento.
The population of Signal Hill is approximately 11,017 (2006), 11016 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 3,797 (2000), 4157 (2010).
The amount of land area in Signal Hill is 5.755 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Signal Hill is 2.2 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Signal Hill to Washington DC is 2426 miles.
The distance to the California state capital is 376 miles. (as the crow flies)
Signal Hill is positioned 33.80 degrees north of the equator and 118.16 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Signal Hill elevation is 148 feet above sea level.
Signal Hill per capita income is $ 24,399 (2000).
Signal Hill median income is $ 56,000 (2005) .
The Signal Hill median home price is $ 464,900 (2005).

Location

in the Long Beach general area of Southern California overlooking Long beach harbor. It is about 18 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. Signal Hill is the only city in the United states which is surrounded 360 degrees by one other city! (Long Beach) The Port of Long Beach is less than a 15-minute drive from Signal Hill. Other nearby communities include Lakewood, Rossmoor, Carson, Bellflower, Seal Beach, Paramount and East Compton.

Here is a map page for Signal Hill.
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Weather

mild. Here is a weather page for Signal Hill.
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History & History Related Items

Signal Hill was once known as an industrial city with oil drills and derricks rising to the sky, evidence of knowledge of oil and tar appear in its earliest history. Crude oil, that welled up naturally, was used for a variety of purposes. To avoid paying the "oil" tax, the area incorporated in 1924. The first mayor of Signal Hill was a woman, Jessie Nelson. She was the first female mayor in the state.

A large crowd watched back in 1922 when an oil gusher was tapped after four days of trying. This marked the beginning of the oil industry in Signal Hill. It wasn't long before homes and ranches were replaced by derricks and refineries. Many land owners became very wealthy when oil was found on their land.

The Spanish settlers called it Loma Sental. As early as 1500, Puvuvitam Indians would signal others on Pimu (now known as Santa Catalina Island). Spanish Explorer, Cabrillo, called it the "Bay of Smokes." The early Padres continued using the fires to carry on the tradition. Now, at the Hilltop Park monument, the fire still burns symbolically. The history helped inspire the naming of the community.

Once dominated by oil rigs, Signal Hill is now giving way to large homes with wonderful views., new commercial developments and modern office buildings and industrial parks. The oil rigs that once heavily dotted the hillside now give way to lots with picturesque views for upscale single-family residences, high-quality retail commercial developments, and modern, clean industrial parks.

Here is a history page from the city. Here is another history page for Signal Hill. The chamber has provided this history page for Signal Hill.
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Attractions

Photos and information for Signal Hill.

Information for Signal Hill

Attractions in nearby areas.
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Signal Hill City Government

City of Signal Hill
2175 Cherry Avenue
Signal Hill, CA 90806
Phone: (562) 989-7300
Fax: (562) 989-7393

Signal Hill has a Council/City Manager form of government. The City Council has five members elected at large every two years.

Signal Hill Chamber

Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce
2201 E. Willow St., Suite D
PMB #138
Signal Hill, CA 90755
Phone: 562-424-6489

Signal Hill Organizations

Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce
2201 E. Willow St., Suite D
PMB #138
Signal Hill, CA 90755
Phone: 562-424-6489

Signal Hill Libraries

Signal Hill Public Library
1770 E. Hill Street
Signal Hill, California 90806
Phone: 562-989-READ (7323)
Phone: 562-989-7324 (Librarian)

Signal Hill Schools

Children of Signal Hill attend schools in the Long Beach Unified School District

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HIGHER EDUCATION

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Colleges & Universities in the area. Signal Hill

Miscellany

The population of Signal Hill was:
1990 - 8,371
2000 - 9,333
2006 - 11,017

The number of housing units was:
1990 - 3,670
2000 - 3,797

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Median age:
2000 - 33.4 years

Median household income:
1990 - $ 47,668
2000 - $ 48,938
2005 - $ 56,000

Median house value:
1990 - $ 193,000
2000 - $ 202,600
2005 - $ 464,900