About Lomita

Most of the land that constitutes present day Lomita was sold to a farmer named Ben Weston and the Ranch Water Company, which sheep farmer Nathaniel Andrew Narbonne owned. Narbonne received 3,500 acres.

Narbonne had moved to Lomita from Sacramento’s gold rush country in 1852. He had initially worked with General Phineas Banning in Wilmington and later, with partner Ben Weston, grew wheat and raised sheep on Santa Catalina Island.

Lomita gets its name for the Spanish word for “little hills”. Development in Lomita began in earnest in the period of 1907 – 1909. In 1923, oil was discovered in the Lomita area. About 500 acres of land in Lomita were used for drilling for oil. In the 1930’s the predominant land use was for farming of celery and strawberries. Development boomed immediately after the end of World War II.

Early History of Lomita

The earliest known inhabitants of Southern California probably arrived before 9000BC, based on radiocarbon dates of artifacts found on the Channel Islands.
Evidence of the earliest known indigenous inhabitants of Lomita and environs, the Gabrielino Indians, has been found in a village they called Suangna, or “Place of the Rushes”, near what is now the intersection of 230th Street and Utility Way in Carson. Remnants of this village remained even as late as the 1850s.

Lomita and Nearby Attractions

• Lomita Railroad Museum.
• Hollywood Fantasy Tours.
• Torrance Art Center.
• Malaga Cove Ranch Market.
• Hye Art Gallery.

Lomita Census Information: Lomita_Census_Population_Age_Sex_Race_2010[1]

Lomita Railroad Museum

On display is a Southern Pacific Steam Locomotive and Tender, a 1910 Union Pacific Caboose, a modern all steel Santa Fe caboose, a 1923 Union Oil Tank Car and a 1913 Southern Pacific outside-braced wood box car. Learn more 

SCHOOL & GROUP TOURS

Spend your next field trip at the Lomita Railroad Museum learning about the golden age of steam. We take reservations for pre-kindergarten and K-12 school groups, special needs organizations and senior groups. Learn more 

THE MUSEUM STORY

Dedicated to the proud era of the steam engine, complete authenticity is the hallmark of the Museum. Much research and study was given to depot structures before the final home for the Museum was chosen. Learn more 

Lomita Public Schools

Alexander Fleming Middle
25425 Walnut St.
ZIP: 90717
Middle
Total Enrollment 1508

2211 W. 247th St.
ZIP: 90717
Primary
Total Enrollment 944

Eshelman Avenue Elementary
25902 Eshelman Ave.
ZIP: 90717
Primary
Total Enrollment 600