Wilmington was founded in 1858 by Phineas Banning as New San Pedro. In 1863 the name was changed to honor Banning's birthplace, Wilmington, Delaware. Wilmington was originally a very small community near the wharf that Banning established for passengers and freight at the foot of Canal St. (now Avalon Blvd.)  The second post office in the County was set up in Wilmington in 1864.  In 1869, the first railroad in Southern California was completed from Wilmington to Los Angeles.  Wilmington incorporated as an independent city in 1905, but voted to annex into the City of Los Angeles in 1909. This annexation was important to secure the support of Los Angeles in helping to bring the harbor to this area instead of Santa Monica. Phineas Banning was a key figure in the history of the Harbor area. He off loaded boats in Wilmington and pushed for the development of the harbor in Wilmington/San Pedro. His home, built in 1864, has been restored to its Georgian prime and the surrounding grounds turned into a park, called appropriately Banning Park. Wilmington is also the site of the Drum Barracks, the only Civil War era U. S. Army building still standing in Southern California. It was built by the administration of Abraham Lincoln to discourage confederate activity in Southern California. Tours of both facilities are available Tuesday through Sunday. Recently the City of Los Angeles opened a community center near the site of the original wharf, called Banning’s Landing. As Realtors, we are proud to have found a site in East Wilmington on which 26 Habitat for Humanity families now own homes.

City Website: www.lacity.org

Wilmington Neighborhood Council Website: wilmingtonneighborhoodcouncil.com

Chamber Website: www.wilmington-chamber.com

Wilmington Historical Society: www.lafn.org/community/whs/