Interesting facts

1. The City of Commerce was incorporated in 1960 primarily to prevent the area from being annexed by neighboring cities and facing higher taxes. 2. The city operates a completely free municipal bus system for residents and visitors. 3. The famous Citadel Outlets features a stunning facade modeled after an ancient Assyrian palace. 4. Before becoming a shopping outlet, the Citadel building was originally the Samson Tire and Rubber Company factory, built in 1929. 5. Commerce Casino is recognized as the largest cardroom in the world, featuring hundreds of tables. 6. The city is home to the BNSF Hobart Yard, one of the busiest intermodal rail facilities in the United States. 7. Commerce has a residential population of around 12,000, but its daytime population can swell to over 100,000 due to workers and shoppers. 8. The official city seal features a large gear, symbolizing the city’s foundational industrial and manufacturing base. 9. Residents of Commerce have access to "Camp Commerce," a city-owned mountain retreat located in Lake Arrowhead, California. 10. There are zero parking meters located within the city limits. 11. The city was dubbed the "Model City" because of its historically unique approach to providing high municipal services with no city property tax (originally funded entirely by industrial revenues). 12. Commerce sits in a prime logistical location, bordered by the Long Beach Freeway (I-710) and the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5). 13. The Commerce Aquatics program is highly regarded, producing numerous competitive swimmers and water polo players over the decades. 14. Over 3,000 businesses operate within the city's 6.5 square miles. 15. Prior to industrialization, the land was part of Rancho San Antonio, a Spanish land grant given to Antonio Maria Lugo in 1810. 16. The area was historically inhabited by the Gabrielino-Tongva Native American tribe. 17. A significant portion of the goods arriving at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach pass through Commerce's rail and truck distribution centers. 18. The city hosts an array of community events, including a vibrant annual city anniversary carnival. 19. Commerce Casino hosts major international poker tournaments, including the L.A. Poker Classic. 20. Despite its heavy industrial footprint, the city has strategically preserved four major residential neighborhoods: Bandini, Bella Vista, Bristow, and Rosewood.