Whittier is a fascinating city in Los Angeles County, California with a rich history and culture. Let’s explore some riddles and mysteries about this city and see if you can guess the answers!
History
Riddle 1
I’m named after a famous Quaker poet, my land once belonged to Pio Pico. I’m the home of Richard Nixon’s first law office, what historic city am I?
Answer: Whittier
Riddle 2
In 1887 we were founded as a temperance colony, our streets have names from famous poets. Orchards and farmland surround our city center, what is our name?
Answer: Whittier
Riddle 3
I’m home to the first school in Los Angeles county, designed in the Romanesque Revival style. Prominent families sent their daughters here to be educated, what school am I?
Answer: Whittier College
Geography
Riddle 4
I’m a main thoroughfare running east-west through Whittier’s historic uptown district. Shops and restaurants line my curbs, what street am I?
Answer: Greenleaf Avenue
Riddle 5
Find me in the rolling hills north of Whittier, I’m a beloved local landmark. John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem was written about me, what am I?
Answer: Puente Hills
Riddle 6
Located south of Whittier is my state recreational area, spanning over 3,000 acres. Hiking trails wind through my wooded canyons, what am I?
Answer: Whittier Narrows
Culture
Riddle 7
I’m Whittier’s Mexican mercado district situated near Greenleaf Ave. Shops sell piñatas, pan dulce, spices and more! What am I called?
Answer: La Merced
Riddle 8
Each October I transform uptown Whittier into a spooky celebration. Part of Whittier’s month of seasonal festivities, what Halloween event am I?
Answer: Creepy Crawl
Riddle 9
Housed in a historic 1902 building, I contain over 50,000 volumes about local history. What Whittier library and museum am I?
Answer: Whittier Public Library
Community
Riddle 10
I’m a home-grown fast food chain founded in Whittwood in 1948. Our specialty is chili burgers and chili dogs, what restaurant am I?
Answer: Tommy’s
Riddle 11
We’re Whittier’s semi-pro football team playing at Memorial Stadium. Our colors are purple and gold, who are we?
Answer: Whittier Poets
Riddle 12
I’m Whittier’s historic family-run independent newspaper, printed weekly since 1934. What am I called?
Answer: Whittier Daily News
Government
Riddle 13
I’m Whittier’s elected legislative body, composed of five council members representing the city. What am I?
Answer: Whittier City Council
Riddle 14
We’re the five districts that Whittier’s City Council members represent. Uptown, Eastside, West Whittier, South Whittier and East Whittier, what are we?
Answer: Whittier City Council Districts
Riddle 15
I’m Whittier’s center of municipal government, housing the mayor’s office, city council chambers and various departments. What building am I?
Answer: Whittier City Hall
Infrastructure
Riddle 16
Travelling east-west I connect Whittier to bordering cities, lined with shops, restaurants and housing. I’m named after a founding father, what road am I?
Answer: Whittier Boulevard
Riddle 17
I’m Whittier’s local public transportation agency operating buses all over the city. Named for my home county, who am I?
Answer: Los Angeles Metro Transit Authority (LAMTA)
Riddle 18
Connecting Whittier to downtown LA, I’m a major commuter freeway running north-south. I’m named for a Native American tribe, who am I?
Answer: The San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605)
Nature
Riddle 19
Flowing from the San Gabriel Mountains I traverse the Whittier Narrows. You can hike and bike along my nature trails, what river am I?
Answer: San Gabriel River
Riddle 20
Home to hawks, quail, owls and more bird species, I’m Whittier’s beloved wildlife sanctuary. What is my name?
Answer: Whittier Narrows Nature Center
Riddle 21
I’m a gorgeous palm tree-lined street in uptown Whittier, particularly stunning when my namesake trees bloom pink flowers each spring. What street am I?
Answer: Jacaranda Avenue
Education
Riddle 22
Founded in 1887, I’m a private liberal arts college and Whittier’s flagship university. What school am I?
Answer: Whittier College
Riddle 23
I’m a K-12 school district serving Whittier students, named for our home county. What district am I?
Answer: Los Nietos School District
Riddle 24
I’m a historic school building in uptown Whittier, now restored as apartment lofts. Originally built in 1895, what am I called?
Answer: Whittier Elementary School
Landmarks
Riddle 25
Built in 1929 in Spanish Colonial Revival style, I’m on the National Register of Historic Places. Richard Nixon and Pat Nixon married in my gardens, what venue am I?
Answer: The Nixon House
Riddle 26
Seen in movies like Back to the Future and La Bamba, I’m a 1950s-style drive-in diner and Whittier icon. What am I called?
Answer: Johnny’s Broiler Restaurant
Riddle 27
I’m an iconic water tower built in 1928, located near Whittier College. With a design inspired by Stanford’s Hoover Tower, what do locals call me?
Answer: The Brick Water Tower
Industry
Riddle 28
I’m a global petroleum company founded in Whittier in 1957 now headquartered in San Antonio. What company am I?
Answer: Valero Energy Corporation
Riddle 29
We were a Los Angeles fashion brand started in Whittier in 1994, known for our laidback SoCal style. Bella Hadid modeled for us, who are we?
Answer:Volcom
Riddle 30
Founded in Whittier in 1912, I’m a food company known for my chili powder, chili peppers and Tex-Mex seasonings. What’s my name?
Answer: Pendery’s
Parks
Riddle 31
I’m Whittier’s central community park located near uptown, home to sports fields, courts, playgrounds and recreation facilities. What am I?
Answer: Palm Park
Riddle 32
Found along the San Gabriel River Trail, I’m Whittier’s aquatic park with water slides and a lazy river. What am I?
Answer: Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center
Riddle 33
Trails wind through my nature preserve’s coastal sage scrub and riparian habitats. Located east of Uptown Whittier, what am I called?
Answer: Hellman Wilderness Park
Notable People
Riddle 34
I grew up in East Whittier and was a star quarterback for the Rams and Cardinals. I’m in the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, who am I?
Answer: John Elway
Riddle 35
Before becoming the 37th U.S. President, I lived in Whittier and met my wife Pat at Whittier College. Who am I?
Answer: Richard Nixon
Riddle 36
I’m an actor born in East Whittier known for roles in Grease, Pulp Fiction, and the Broadway musical Chicago. What’s my name?
Answer: John Travolta
Arts & Entertainment
Riddle 37
Built in 1949, I’m Whittier’s historic single-screen movie theater showing independent and classic films. What am I?
Answer: Whittier Village Cinemas
Riddle 38
Performing at the Ruth B. Shannon Center, we’re Whittier College’s student choir and chamber orchestra. What group are we?
Answer: William Penn Society Chamber Singers and String Orchestra
Riddle 39
Displaying contemporary art exhibits and works by local students, what Whittier gallery am I?
Answer: Whittier College’s Greenleaf Gallery
Food
Riddle 40
Serving burgers, tamales, chili and more I’m a Whittier institution opened in 1931. Located downtown, what restaurant am I?
Answer: Burke’s Cafe
Riddle 41
I’m a family-owned Mexican restaurant in Uptown Whittier, best known for my signature sizzling fajitas. What am I called?
Answer: La Cita Mexican Restaurant
Conclusion
How did you do with these Whittier riddles? Exploring this city through mysterious clues gives a glimpse into the diverse history, culture, landmarks and people that make Whittier a vibrant SoCal community. Learning more about Whittier helps uncover what makes this city special. Did you get stumped or want to create some riddles of your own? Whittier has many more secrets waiting to be discovered!
