The City Of Compton

[Old School C]

Well, I couldnt find many landmark pics of my city but I did find quite a bit of info. Id like to point out that most of it is not positive which kinda discourages me from doing this. For me to try and sugar coat the violence and the gangs that exist out here to me, would be pointless of me trying to even do this.But you know, I am still proud, and happy that SoleMann is giving me the opportunity to represent my city. Well, here's all the info I could find.
History

Compton,1914

Aerial View Of Compton In 1920

In 1784, the Spanish Crown deeded a tract of over 75,000 acres (304 km²) to Juan Jose Dominguez in this area. The tract was named Rancho San Pedro. Dominguez's name was later applied to the Dominguez Hills community south of Compton. The tree that marked the original northern boundary of the rancho still stands at the corner of Poppy and Short streets. The rancho was sub-divided and parcels were sold within the Californios of Alta California until the lands were ceded after the Mexican-American war in 1848. American immigrants acquired most of the rancho lands after 1848.
In 1867, Griffith D. Compton led a group of American settlers to the area in search of the mild climate. The city was incorporated on May 11, 1889 and was named for Griffith D. Compton.Compton grew quickly in the mid-1900s. In the late 1940s with the dismantling of segregation, middle class African-Americans began moving into the area, mostly on the west side. One reason for this was Compton's proximity to Watts, where a significant number of Blacks lived at the time. However, the eastern side of the city remained predominantly white into the 1970s. Despite being located in the middle of a major metropolitan area, there remains at least one small pocket of agriculture from its early years.
CRIME

Teenagers arrested for hot rod racing in South Compton, 1954

The Crips
Co-Founder Of The Crips Tookie Williams

The Bloods Founder T. Rogers

In 2007, the CQ Press using data from F.B.I. "Crime in the United States 2007" rated Compton as the 17th most dangerous city in America. In 2006, the Morgan Quitno Corporation rated Compton as the most dangerous city in the United States with a population of 75,000 to 99,999, but not most dangerous overall.[4] The city is notorious for gang violence, primarily caused by the Bloods, the Crips and numerous Mexican gangs. Compton's violent reputation was popularized in the late 1980s by the rise to prominence of local gangsta rap groups Compton's Most Wanted and especially N.W.A. and Eazy-E, who released the famous albums Straight Outta Compton and Eazy-Duz-It in 1988. Since then, "Compton" has been synonymous with anything ghetto or gang-related.
Compton has a homicide rate about eight times higher than the national average, most of which are gang killings. Economic conditions and Compton's location as the center of the South Los Angeles "ghettos" make crime prevention more difficult. Although crime rates had been falling for years after the crack epidemic of the 1980s and early 1990s, Compton has in recent years witnessed spikes in the rate of violent crime.
Compton had 35 murders in 2005, which is a per capita rate significantly higher than the national average. Recently, in an effort to combat gun violence, the citizens of Compton were given the option to hand over their guns to the police and receive a $100 check for various goods. During 2006, Compton deployed twice as many sheriff deputies and the murder rate decreased from 22 in four months to just 5.


The Martin Luther King Monument in front of the Compton City Hall and the Superior Court building. The monument is the logo for the city and is featured on signage.

Culture

Currently, Latinos are the largest ethnic group in the city, although many people still tend to think of Compton as a primarily black community. One possible reason for this is that despite the shift in population, as of 2008 blacks continue to dominate local politics, holding all elected positions in the city.
On March 26th every year "Eazy-E Day" is held to give remembrance of the notorious gangster rapper Eric "Eazy-E" Wright who died on that day in 1995. He was also a member of rap group N.W.A.
Compton has been referenced on numerous occasions in gangsta rap and g-funk songs, especially in the early 1990s, and so has attained an association not only with gang violence and crime, but with rap music as well. The city is known as the home of many famous rappers, such as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and The Game.
Also, some episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air took place in Compton because Will's friend Jazz lived there.
Compton was also the home of U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, who lived there a short time in 1949-50.

Economy

Compton was recently designated as an “Entrepreneurial Hot Spot” by Cognetics, Inc., an independent economic research firm. Compton made the national list for best places to start and grow a business, and ranked #2 in Los Angeles County out of a field of 88 cities.[17] The city provides a business assistance program consisting of a comprehensive mix of resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Compton is surrounded by multiple freeways which provide access to destinations throughout the region. The Long Beach and Los Angeles Ports are less than 20 minutes from downtown Compton, providing access to international destinations for customers and suppliers. The Alameda Corridor, a passageway for 25% of all U.S. waterborne international trade, runs directly through Compton from north to south.

W E L C O M E T O C O M P T O N

[Old School C]

There was a whooooooooole lot more info on Compton but I didnt want to make it too long.

[Old School C]

Thanks brotha, I really appreciate that. The city of Compton has taken some hard hits from the media. They never show how beautiful the new construction and big business is out here, just the drive by's.

[MsMerising]

Compton bore two of the greatest Hip-Hop producers ever - Dr. Dre & DJ Quik. And I am biased because one of my best friends lives down there who I consider a "diamond".

History is not always pretty, but beauty, talent and greatness can be found everywhere...so, props on giving some love to Compton :)

MsM
x

[Old School C]

Much love to you MsMerising for you kind words. I am happy to see you are still around, hadnt heard from you in awhile. I totally agree with you, there is beauty everywhere, even in the ghetto.

[MsMerising]

I am in University now, so between school, work and parenting full-time (as well as working out at the gym looking fly int he fresh Adidas:P) I am hella busy. But I'm around... :)

BTW...love the choice in Quik track. I have it on the iPod...I will always be a sucka for a Quik beat...one of the best...

M
x

[Old School C]

DANG!! You are a busy body. I hope all goes well with you and the fam bam MsMerising. Yeah, that track was cold back in the day and a west coast classic.

[KnightD12]

Nice job Old School. I enjoyed the look around Compton. There is no place like HOME.

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Brother OSC, this post is awesome and i'm really digging the B/W Pics and the history of Compton past and present.

[Old School C]

Thank YOU SoleMann, you made it possible for me to do this. Im glad you dug it brotha.

[Old School C]

Thanks brotha Gene, I dont see myself movin away from Compton anytime soon. Though it gets crazy sometimes, I still love it here.

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Mannnnnn i'm still trippin over the Teenagers arrested for hot rod racing in South Compton pic from 1954....LOL. The cop looks highly pissed and the teens just smiling, having a great time...ROFLMBO

[Old School C]

Yeah that is toooooo funny. Only time I see a white person in Compton is if they're either the Police or in Watts on Grape street buyin that crack.