Our History

City of Commerce, Interstate 5 Circa 1990s

Adolph Burgess Schleicher forms Samson Tire and Rubber Company

1917

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Charles Lindbergh lands at Vail Field while on nationwide tour following completion of his transatlantic flight in May

September 20, 1927

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Schleicher announces construction of his new factory; the $8 million Samson Tire company will be the largest tire manufacturing facility on the west coast

1929

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Ground is broken for Samson Tire company

January 24, 1929

Founder’s daughters Gretchen (left) and Nancy Ellen (right), and Adolph Schleicher directly behind Nancy Ellen.

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Modeled after the 7th century BC Assyrian palace of King Sargon II, the crenulated wall is designed to feature heraldic

griffins and bas-reliefs of Babylonian princes

1929

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The plant site was 23 acres, the same size as King Sargon’s palace

1929

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Stock market crash

October 24, 1929

Black Thursday

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Samson Tire company opens to little fanfare in the wake of the stock market crash

May 1930

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Looking Southbound, at Samson Tire, from Telegraph Road

May 1930

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1930

The plant had the capacity to produce 6,000 tires and 10,000 tubes daily

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Schleicher did not weather the Depression. In less than 6 months he negotiates to sell the plant to U.S. Tire and Rubber Company. The sale is completed in January 1931.

January 31,1931

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1959

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Filming for the movie Ben Hur

U.S. Rubber becomes U.S. Royal Tires

1960

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The name changes to Uniroyal Tires

1967

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The Uniroyal plant closes. The ensuing years are filled with ownership changes and debate over the future of this iconic landmark, unofficially the

second-most recognized building in Los Angeles.

March 3, 1978

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DAON Southwest Co. purchases the property

June 1979

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DAON receives City approval to demolish the structures with exception of the administration building, façade

and 7 acres of manufacturing area

August 20, 1980

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The Citadel becomes an Historic Landmark

1982

• California State Historical Resources Commission approves the site nomination to the national Register of Historic Places

• Commerce City Council designates the site and buildings an official City Landmark

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City of Commerce purchases the property for $14 million in an effort to prevent demolition of the remaining Landmark wall and façade

October 1983

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City of Commerce announces plans to redevelop the site

January 9, 1986

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Trammell Crow Co. is awarded exclusive right to negotiate with City

March 1987

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Trammell Crow signs long-term ground lease with City of Commerce Redevelopment Agency

November 1989

A) Renovated historic Administration Building

B) Specialty retail center C) Food Court D-G) Office Buildings H) 201-room Wyndham Garden

hotel & conference center I) Future Office Building

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61 years after Samson Tires, ground was broken for the Citadel. In attendance was Gretchen Schleicher who held the original silver pick used at the 1929 groundbreaking.

January 25, 1990

Gretchen Schleicher Davis (right); Mr. Trammell Crow Jr. (left); Kevin Staley, Trammell

Crow president (holding pick and shovel)

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More than 19,000 guests attend Grand Opening

November 23, 1990

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Craig Realty Group takes over the management of Citadel Outlets and

Office Park and enters into an agreement with the City Redevelopment Agency to

purchase the property

January 1, 2002

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Craig Realty Group purchases the property and begins extensive renovations and expansion plans

July 24, 2003

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Renovation of Citadel Drive provides improved traffic flow and increased visibility

November 2003

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Grand opening of Starbucks, addition of expanded parking and luxury restrooms

April 2004

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Billboard advertising prior to Craig Realty Group

Banner advertising, attached to the wall, prior to Craig Realty Group

Four 2-sided, state-of-the-art LED signs unveiled

May 19, 2005

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Grand opening of Phase II expansion, nearly doubling the number of stores

November 12, 2005

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Phase I renovation

2006

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New Storefront Signage

Paint

New Awnings

Redesign structural elements to improve storefront visibility

Renovation of Citadel Tower

After Before

Phase I renovation

2006

New Storefront Signage

Paint

New Awnings

Redesign structural elements to improve storefront visibility

Renovation of Citadel Tower

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Before After

Phase I renovation

2006

New Storefront Signage

Paint

New Awnings

Redesign structural elements to improve storefront visibility

Renovation of Citadel Tower

1910 1920 1930 1950 1940 1960 1990 2000 1970 1980 2010

Before After

Phase I renovation

2006

New Storefront Signage

Paint

New Awnings

Redesign structural elements to improve storefront visibility

Renovation of Citadel Tower

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Before After

Historic Wall Renovation dedication ceremony

June 20, 2007

After

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Before

November 20, 2010

Grand opening of Phase III expansion, increasing number of stores to 115

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Citadel Outlets 2012