Anaheim Timeline

1857 German immigrants from San Francisco buy 1,165 acres near the Santa Ana river from rancher Juan Ontiveros, and establish the Los Angeles Vineyard Society. It is known by the local rancheros as Campo Aleman (German camp).

1875 A railroad line connects Los Angeles and Anaheim, shortening what had been a three-day trek.

1876 The city of Anaheim is incorporated. It's original boundaries: North, South, East and West streets. The area around Disneyland was not annexed until the park is built.

1885 A grape blight wipes out the thriving Anaheim wine industry. (An Australian scientist introduced the Ladybug in 1902 to help the Anaheim farmer. Ladybugs have since spread all over North America).
Settlers plant chiles, walnuts and citrus trees to restore their fortunes.

1887 The Santa Fe depot opens. Today it serves as a day-care center.

1897 The Rea family builds the first of two homes, now located at 125 W. Elm St. The ranching family had two daughters, Kate and Ella, and named their spread the Katella Ranch in their honor.

1908 Carnegie Library opens, built with funds from the Carnegie Foundation. Today, it serves as the Anaheim Museum.

1938 In the early morning hours of March 3, the city was awakened by a flood. During a five-day period, 9.17 inches of rain fell in the city, 3.35 inches of which fell during the last 24 hours of the storm. In all, 19 people were killed, 600 acres of agricultural land were destroyed and another 10,000 acres were badly damaged. Virtually every building within the city limits was damaged by the flood.

1955 Walt Disney opens Disneyland, starting a tourist resort boom that continues today.

1966 Anaheim Stadium opens. Enclosed for arrival of Los Angeles Rams in 1980. Renovated by Walt Disney Co. in 1998, reopens as Edison International Field of Anaheim.

1967 Anaheim Convention Center opens, later renovated four times. Current renovation and expansion project scheduled to be completed by 2001.

1970 City officials begin a period of intensive redevelopment, culminating in the razing of most downtown commercial buildings by 1990. Growth begins in the canyon area known as Anaheim Hills. City border stretches to Riverside County line.

1978 Volunteers perform first comprehensive historic survey of original township. A five-year campaign fails to result in creation of a preservation bureaucracy at City Hall, though some buildings are moved to save from demolition.

1988 City demolishes the Pickwick Hotel, which was on the National Register of Historic Places, and builds City Hall West.

1995 City begins redevelopment of the resort district, including removal of historic "Googie" kitsch signs erected in the 1950s and 1960s

1996 Volunteers begin intensive research on 200 buildings within the Anaheim Colony, and work to establish a historic district. They are aided by a newly hired neighborhood preservation coordinator who works for the city. The Historic District was successfully created, and is known as the Anaheim Colony Historic District.

1997 Construction begins on widening of the Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway through Anaheim. Work begins on second theme park on Disneyland parking lot, Disney's California Adventure.

1998 Anaheim adopts a preservation plan to protect and preserve it's vintage housing stock.

1857	German immigrants from San Francisco buy 1,165 acres near the Santa Ana river from rancher Juan Ontiveros, and establish the Los Angeles Vineyard Society. It is known by the local rancheros as Campo Aleman (German camp).
1875	A railroad line connects Los Angeles and Anaheim, shortening what had been a three-day trek.
1876	The city of Anaheim is incorporated. It's original boundaries: North, South, East and West streets. The area around Disneyland was not annexed until the park is built.
1885	A grape blight wipes out the thriving Anaheim wine industry. (An Australian scientist introduced the Ladybug in 1902 to help the Anaheim farmer. Ladybugs have since spread all over North America). Settlers plant chiles, walnuts and citrus trees to restore their fortunes.
1887	The Santa Fe depot opens. Today it serves as a day-care center.
1897	The Rea family builds the first of two homes, now located at 125 W. Elm St. The ranching family had two daughters, Kate and Ella, and named their spread the Katella Ranch in their honor.
1908	Carnegie Library opens, built with funds from the Carnegie Foundation. Today, it serves as the Anaheim Museum.
1938	In the early morning hours of March 3, the city was awakened by a flood. During a five-day period, 9.17 inches of rain fell in the city, 3.35 inches of which fell during the last 24 hours of the storm. In all, 19 people were killed, 600 acres of agricultural land were destroyed and another 10,000 acres were badly damaged. Virtually every building within the city limits was damaged by the flood.
1955	Walt Disney opens Disneyland, starting a tourist resort boom that continues today.
1966	Anaheim Stadium opens. Enclosed for arrival of Los Angeles Rams in 1980. Renovated by Walt Disney Co. in 1998, reopens as Edison International Field of Anaheim.
1967	Anaheim Convention Center opens, later renovated four times. Current renovation and expansion project scheduled to be completed by 2001.
1970	City officials begin a period of intensive redevelopment, culminating in the razing of most downtown commercial buildings by 1990. Growth begins in the canyon area known as Anaheim Hills. City border stretches to Riverside County line.
1978	Volunteers perform first comprehensive historic survey of original township. A five-year campaign fails to result in creation of a preservation bureaucracy at City Hall, though some buildings are moved to save from demolition.
1988	City demolishes the Pickwick Hotel, which was on the National Register of Historic Places, and builds City Hall West.
1995	City begins redevelopment of the resort district, including removal of historic "Googie" kitsch signs erected in the 1950s and 1960s
1996	Volunteers begin intensive research on 200 buildings within the Anaheim Colony, and work to establish a historic district. They are aided by a newly hired neighborhood preservation coordinator who works for the city. The Historic District was successfully created, and is known as the Anaheim Colony Historic District.
1997	Construction begins on widening of the Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway through Anaheim. Work begins on second theme park on Disneyland parking lot, Disney's California Adventure.
1998	Anaheim adopts a preservation plan to protect and preserve it's vintage housing stock.