When I broke into journalism years ago as a fledgling Whittier-based high school sports reporter, one of my favorite side hobbies was asking locals what made their city famous.

Downey was always an interesting test case.

Some said Downey’s claim to fame is the oldest standing McDonald ’ s , or the Stonewood Mall, with some students boasting the rivalry between Downey and Warren high schools . Some have also cited the title of the “ Mexican Beverly Hills,” which I and colleague Gustavo Arellano have always considered more appropriate for Whittier .

What wasn’t mentioned enough about Downey, particularly among the high school-aged students I spoke with, was the city’s ties to the Space Shuttle program. It was somewhat remarkable given the city’s “Home of the Ap

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