El Monte is a city located in the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California. With a population of over 115,000 people, it is one of the larger cities in the county. El Monte has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century when it was part of the Spanish land grant Rancho Potrero de Felipe Lugo. Let’s explore this interesting city through 45 fun riddles!
Riddles about El Monte’s history
Early history
Q: I was founded in 1849 as a trading post along the Santa Fe Trail. Pioneers traveling west stopped here before crossing the San Gabriel River. What am I?
A: El Monte
Q: I was one of the first Anglo settlers in El Monte, building a cabin here in 1852. I am also the namesake of a current neighborhood and park. Who am I?
A: James R. Tyler
Q: We were a group of Mormons who settled in El Monte and the San Gabriel Valley in 1851, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. Who are we?
A: The Mormon pioneers
19th century
Q: I operated near the corner of Valley Blvd and Santa Anita Ave in the late 1800s, providing lodging and entertainment for travelers. What was I?
A: El Monte Hotel
Q: I ran from Los Angeles to El Monte starting in 1869, allowing an easy transit between the two cities. What was I?
A: The Los Angeles & San Gabriel Valley Railroad
Q: I was one of the most famous bandits to pass through El Monte in the 19th century. My crimes inspired books and movies. Who am I?
A: Tiburcio Vasquez
20th century
Q: We were two rival gangs that dominated El Monte in the 1930s – 1940s. Police called us the “El Monte Gangsters”. Who were we?
A: The Owens Gang and the Martinez Gang
Q: I was home to over 1,000 Japanese American residents before they were sent to internment camps in 1942. What city am I?
A: El Monte
Q: I am an iconic drive-in restaurant that opened in El Monte in the 1950s. You can still get burgers and shakes at me today. What am I?
A: Pea Soup Andersen’s
Riddles about El Monte’s geography
Location
Q: I border the cities of Arcadia, Temple City, Rosemead, South El Monte and Irwindale. I am located northeast of the Whittier Narrows. What city am I?
A: El Monte
Q: I form the eastern border of El Monte. My watershed includes much of the San Gabriel Mountains. What major river am I?
A: The San Gabriel River
Q: I am a major highway that travels through the north side of El Monte. I connect the city to downtown LA. What numerical highway am I?
A: Interstate 10
Neighborhoods
Q: I am the historic downtown district of El Monte, centered around Main Street. Many of the city’s oldest buildings can be found in me. What neighborhood am I?
A: Old El Monte
Q: I am a neighborhood named after pioneer settler James R. Tyler. A park bearing Tyler’s name is located here. What am I?
A: Tyler Heights
Q: I am the southeast neighborhood of El Monte, home to Mountain View High School. I share my name with a large adjacent park. What am I?
A: Legg Lake
Parks
Q: I am an 87 acre park containing the lake that gives Legg Lake neighborhood its name. Families come to me to walk, picnic, and fish. What am I?
A: Legg Lake Park
Q: I am a green space named after El Monte pioneer James R. Tyler, found in the Tyler Heights area. What park am I?
A: James R. Tyler Park
Q: I am an El Monte park located along the Emerald Necklace bike trail. I feature a recreation center, pool, and sports fields. What am I?
A: Mountain View Park
Riddles about landmarks and attractions
Q: I am El Monte’s most famous drive-in eatery, slinging burgers and shakes since the 1950s. Neon signs light up my property. What am I?
A: Pea Soup Andersen’s
Q: I am a former Nike missile site turned into a museum displaying Cold War artifacts and memorabilia. Aviation history buffs visit me. What am I?
A: The Titan Missile Museum
Q: I am El Monte’s first library, built in 1906 with a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. I now house the Historical Society. What am I?
A: The El Monte Historical Museum
Q: I am a 12,000 capacity stadium located near Arroyo High School. I have hosted events from boxing matches to political rallies. What am I?
A: Arroyo Stadium
Q: I am an iconic art deco building in downtown El Monte. I was once the home of the American Legion before falling into disrepair. What am I?
A: American Legion Building
Riddles about culture and diversity
Q: I am a Taiwanese bakery chain with a popular location in El Monte. People line up to get my savory stuffed buns. What business am I?
A: 85C Bakery Cafe
Q: I am an El Monte street lined with Asian businesses and restaurants, often called “Little Taipei”. What street am I?
A: Valley Boulevard
Q: I am an annual El Monte event celebrating the city’s Asian American heritage with food, music, and cultural performances. What festival am I?
A: Annual Asian Festival
Q: I am a memorial in El Monte dedicated to Chinese railroad workers that helped build the Transcontinental Railroad. What am I called?
A: Chinese Railroad Workers Memorial
Q: I am a neighborhood south of Garvey Ave with a predominantly Latino population. I share my name with a nearby avenue. What am I?
A: Medina Court
Riddles about education
Q: I am one of El Monte’s four public high schools, whose mascot is the Lion. Notable alumni from me include Jim Zorn and Tiger Woods. What school am I?
A: El Monte High School
Q: I am an El Monte public high school that opened in 2009, named after a former mayor. I’m located northwest of the Emerald Necklace. What school am I?
A: Richard R. Valenzuela High School
Q: I am a 2-year public community college located right on the border of El Monte. I am one of 9 campuses in the Rio Hondo Community College District. What am I?
A: Rio Hondo College
Q: I am a private K-8 school located in El Monte. I have a predominantly Asian American student body. What school am I?
A: Berean Christian School
Q: I am El Monte’s oldest existing school site, now operating as a community day school. I first opened my doors in 1909. What school am I?
A: El Monte Union High School
Riddles about local business and economy
Q: I am one of the major streets running through El Monte, home to many auto dealerships and national chain stores. What street am I?
A: Santa Anita Avenue
Q: I am a large transit bus manufacturing company based in El Monte. My buses can be spotted across Los Angeles County. What company am I?
A: BYD Coach and Bus
Q: I am the second oldest business park in California, spanning over 700 acres in El Monte. Top companies have facilities here. What am I?
A: El Monte Business Center
Q: I am a popular wholesale commerce center in El Monte drawing buyers from across Southern California. Shoppers can find great deals at my various warehouses. What am I?
A: San Gabriel Valley Marketplace
Q: I am a Fortune 500 company headquartered in El Monte. I specialize in building and developing planned communities. What company am I?
A: TRI Pointe Homes
Conclusion
How did you do with these riddles about El Monte? This diverse San Gabriel Valley city has a rich history and many unique attractions to offer residents and visitors alike. From important landmarks like the El Monte Historical Museum to beloved eateries like Pea Soup Andersen’s, there is plenty to appreciate in El Monte. The city also boasts a vibrant multicultural community, top-rated schools, and major companies and business parks contributing to the local economy.
Learning more about El Monte through these entertaining riddles hopefully provides some insight into what makes this city so special. Whether you aced these puzzles or learned something new about El Monte, taking a creative approach to explore the city’s past, present and future opens up an intriguing way to get to know the community on a deeper level.
