Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, situated south of downtown Los Angeles. Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and, on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city in Los Angeles County to incorporate. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 96,456. It is known as the “Hub City” due to its geographic centrality in Los Angeles County. Neighborhoods in Compton count up Sunny Cove, Leland, downtown Compton, and Richland Farms. The city has a high poverty rate and is generally a working-class community. Furthermore, Compton is known for its high crime rate, but strong culture.

The Spanish Empire had expanded into this area when the Viceroy of New Spain commissioned Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo to investigate the Pacific Ocean in 1542–1543. In 1767, the Place became share of the Province of the Californias (Spanish: Provincia de las Californias), and the Place was explored by the Portolá expedition in 1769–1770. In 1784, the Spanish Crown deeded Rancho San Pedro, a tract of more than 75,000 acres (300 km), to soldier Juan José Domínguez. Domínguez’s descendants partitioned the home amongst relatives members, sold parcels to newly arriving settlers, and relinquished some following validating their legal affirmation with the Mexican dispensation at 48,000 acres (190 km²) in 1828, and in imitation of the United States supervision through a patent validating 43,119 acres (174.50 km) in 1858. The Domínguez family name is yet applied throughout the area, including the Dominguez Rancho Adobe historical landmark, in the unincorporated community of Rancho Dominguez, located amongst the cities of Compton, Long Beach and Carson. The tree that marked the original northern boundary of the rancho nevertheless stands at the corner of Poppy and Short streets.

In 1867, Griffith Dickenson Compton led a group of 30 pioneers to the area. These families had traveled by wagon train south from Stockton, California, in search of ways to earn a living other than the sharp exhaustion of gold fields. Originally named Gibsonville, after one of the tract owners, it was higher called Comptonville. However, to avoid confusion when the Camptonville located in Yuba County, the broadcast was reduced to Compton. Compton’s antique settlers were faced with unpleasant hardships as they farmed the estate in bleak weather to gain by subsequent to just the barest subsistence. The weather continued to be harsh, rainy and cold, and fuel was difficult to find. To pile up firewood it was vital to travel to mountains close to Pasadena. The round trip took almost a week. Many in the Compton party wanted to relocate to a friendlier climate and permit down, but as there were two general stores within traveling distance—one in the pueblo of Los Angeles, the extra in Wilmington—they eventually contracted to stay put.

By 1887, the settlers realized it was grow old to make improvements to the local government. A series of town meetings were held to discuss incorporation of their little town. Griffith D. Compton donated his land to incorporate and Make the city of Compton in 1889, but he did stipulate that a certain acreage be zoned solely for agriculture and named Richland Farms. In January 1888, a petition supporting the immersion of Compton was forwarded to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, who in face forwarded the petition to the State Legislature. On May 11, 1888, the city of Compton was incorporated bearing in mind a population of 500 people. The first City Council meeting was held upon May 14, 1888.