ABOUT
LOMPOC - Lompoc pronounced Lom-Poke
Lompoc
is a city that has a lot to offer to the residents and tourists alike.
Known for the beautiful flower fields, and the local Air Force Base
(Vandenberg
AFB). The city of Lompoc has much more than that to offer
though. You can find some of the most beautiful murals in the city of
Lompoc. Visit the La
Purisima Mission and step back in time; have a picnic or
take a hike on the maintained trails. Don't forget the annual Flower
Festival!
Now for
some history on the city of Lompoc. First, Lompoc is pronounced "Lom-Poke";
not "Lom-Pock". The establishment of La
Purisima Mission brought the first European settlers to the
Lompoc Valley. But the very first known settlers were the Chumash Indians.
Lompoc is a Chumash word which means little lake or lagoon. Lompoc was
incorporated as a city on August 13, 1888. The city was once a temperance
colony in the 19th century. There are many stories surrounding that
period of time, and I will try to post some on the site at a later date.
The city was also mainly an agricultural one. As time went on, the economy
began to grow as did the city. One of the main factors in Lompoc growing
economically and becoming so diversified is that Camp Cooke was established.
Camp Cooke is now known as Vandenberg
Air Force Base.
Population:
approximately 46,000
The Lompoc Police Dept. has some of the best officers anywhere. I believe the department was founded in 1899. On June 8, 2000 I was
informed that there are 45 sworn officers in the department. Chief William
F. Brown, Jr. heads up the Department. And there
is Captain Timothy Dabney, a person that is very much into his community
as is Chief Brown. These are just two of the people that make up part
of the Lompoc
Police Department. I've personally had these men as instructors
in my college courses (Administration of Justice). As I said
they are into keeping in touch with the community. Captain Dabney spoke
very highly of community oriented policing while I attended his classes.
One of the ways the department does this is with it's very
own television show. The show airs on Thursday nights at 7:00 in the
evening on Comcasts channel 22. Residents can call in and ask questions,
make comments, etc. The show is a live broadcast.
The city
of Lompoc has gone through its fair share of businesses. At the present
time, Lompoc is really turning into a booming little city. There are
a lot of new businesses moving in. Be it big companies or small. Lompoc
has a Walmart, Staples, Mervyns, Blockbuster, Sears
and many more businesses for the residents and tourists to enjoy. Lompoc
also has quite a few specialty businesses. Explaining these would take
quite a bit of space and detail, as they are truly specialty businesses.
Lompoc
is not a huge city. So when you want to just go out and have a good
time at anytime of the day, morning, or night, there will not be quite
as much to do compared to larger cities. Lompoc does have it's fair
share of activities and places for people to go and have a good time.
Such as the bowling alley/arcade, movie theaters, gyms, bars, community
events, and many other activities or businesses that are not listed
here. There is a skate park for all of you skaters. A place for the youth to go and have fun.
One of
Lompoc's many claims to fame is its annual Flower Festival. The festival
is held in June. June 2000's festival was the 48th anniversary of the
famous festival. It took place from June 21, 2000 to June 25, 2000.
There is always a parade. Residents as well as tourists from all over
come to see and take part in the parade. Food booths are present at
the park during the festival so anyone can have some great food while
enjoying the event. The food booths, rides, games, & live entertainment
are located within Ryon Park. You may find the park at the intersection
of South 'O' Street and West Ocean Avenue. For more information on the
Flower Festival or any other parades or festivals in Lompoc visit the
Lompoc Valley Festival Associations site by clicking
here.
