Lynwood Centennial Celebrates Black History Month Original Text

Press release from the City of Lynwood:

February 16, 2021

We all know Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd is one of the major thoroughfares in Lynwood.

It’s where we hold the annual Candy Cane Lane Christmas Parade (in non-pandemic years), the location of Firebaugh High School and one of the two Starbuck’s in our city. Along the 3.5 miles of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, you’ll see the Los Angeles County Fire Station #148, Lynwood City Park, Lynwood Community Center and Natatorium, the Lynwood Union Gallery and St. Francis Medical Center as well as many businesses big and small.

But do you know the history of Lynwood’s Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd? What was its former name?

The Lynwood City Council voted in February 1989 to change the boulevard’s name. The community’s demographics were changing, making the decision controversial at the time.

The renaming proceeded and was official during a ceremony on April 21, 1989. We couldn’t imagine this stretch in Lynwood being named anything other than Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Answer to the former name? Century Blvd.

#WeAreLynwood

This press release was produced by the City of Lynwood. The views expressed are the author's own.