Things you didn’t know about Downey: The Lewis Family

Lewis Elementary School gets its name from Downey’s pioneer Lewis Family.

The Lewis family had much to be proud of during their years in Downey having founded the Golden Gate Ranch, which still stands in the 9000 block of Foster Road.

Ed W. Lewis arrived in Lynwood from Nebraska in 1895, and brought his family with him. They included sons Joe, Bill, Ed. C. Lewis and daughters Ceila and Mary.

Lewis farmed in Lynwood, growing sugar beets and corn. He also raised cows, and did well there.

In 1912, sons Joe and Bill bought 50 acres in Downey at what is now Woodruff Avenue and Foster Road. There they farmed sugar beets and klondike strawberries.

Bill died in 1912 in a farm accident.

Joe left in 1926 and went to work for Citrus College. He leased the 50 acres until the housing boom hit years later.

Meanwhile, Ed C. Lewis bought 25 acres on Foster Road at Ardis in 1915. He named it the Golden Gate Ranch. He farmed many crops there, including sugar beets, corn, walnuts, and alfalfa.

In 1916, he married Bertha Rothenberger. They had two children, Ed. H. Lewis and Mary E. Lewis. Both were born in the present ranch house that was originally built in 1871, in the 9000 block of Foster Road.

Ed H. and Mary attended Alameda School and Downey High School.

When Ed C. died in 1942, Ed, H continued to farm the rich Downey soil until 1956. He grew spinach and sweet corn.

Overall, the Lewis family farmed or is connected to the land ranging from Imperial Highway to Foster Road and Woodruff Avenue to Clark Street.

Ed H. married his wife, Emily, in 1957. He raised the old ranch house and put a new foundation beneath it that year. His sister still lives there.

This information comes from the Time Traveler by John Adams, published in the Aug. 4, 1995 edition of the Downey Eagle.