Research
How Torrance Got Its Name As noted in the book, Historic Torrance (pages 56-57), according to the minutes of March 20, 1912, meeting of the board of directors of the Dominguez Land Co., the U.S. Post Office Department would not allow the new development to be called "Dominguez" because there was already a Dominguez on the map in California and another in Colorado. Various variants of the name "Dominguez" had been suggested, principally "Dominguez City," "San Dominguez," and "El Dominguez," but the (Dominguez Land Co.) general manager (H.H. Sinclair) reported that none of these would be satisfactory to the Dominguez family and that they would prefer to retain the name "Dominguez" for the present (railroad) station of that name (near the Dominguez adobe) and requested that the Dominguez Land Co. select some other name for the industrial city. A general discussion followed in which about 30 names were suggested, most of which had to be dropped on account of duplication in other parts of the United States . The names " Southport ," "Obrador," "Coronel," "Don Manuel" and "Industrial" received the most favorable considerations, but none of these were considered to be satisfactory. An informal vote was then taken on the name " Torrance "— it was unanimously decided that this name was the logical and most satisfactory name and should be used if (Dominguez Land Co. Board) President (Jarred Sidney) Torrance would withdraw his objections. President Torrance protested against the use of the name, but Vice President Sinclair assumed the chair and a resolution proposed by Mr. (John S.) Cravens and seconded by Mr. (Maurice S. Hellman) was unanimously adopted. |
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