Downey was incorporated in 1956, and instituted a charter form of government in 1964. Suburban homes and factories replaced the farms after World War II. The largest employer was what became known as Vultee Aircraft, then North American Aviation, (later North American Rockwell, then Rockwell International which was then bought by the Boeing company) whose facilities were
the birthplace of the systems for the Apollo space program as well as the Space Shuttle. Downey is also the final resting place (home, if you will) of the Columbia.