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Gaspar de Portolá
After the 1760 expedition of Gaspar de Portolá out of Mexico City, then capitol of New Spain,Friar Junípero Serra named the area Vallejo de Santa Ana . -
Mexican Idependence
In 1810, year of the commencement of the war of Mexican Idependece, Jose Antonio Yorba, a sergeant of the Spanish army,was granted land that he called Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana.
After the Mexican-American war ended in 1848, Alta California become part pf the USA an American satters arrived in this area. -
Kentuchian
Claimed in 1869 by Kentuchian William H. Spurgeon on land obtained from the descendents of Jose Antonio Yorba,Santa Ana was incorporated as a city in 1886 with a population of 2000 and in 1889 became the seat of the newly formed Orenge Country -
Pacific Electric Railway
By 1906 the Pacific Electic Railway from Los Angeles was extended to Santa Ana, running along Fourth Street downtown. The "red cards" made travel to los Los Angeles easier and helped continue Santa Anas population boom. -
Glenn Luther Martin
Santa Ana was the home of original Glenn L. Martin aviation company founded in 1912 before merging with the Wright Company in 1916. -
MainPlace Mall
In 1987 MainPlace Mall (now Westfield MainPlace) was opened north of downtown and became a major retail center for the area.
Having been a Charther City since November 11, 1952, the citizens of Santa Ana amended the Charter November 1988 to provide for the direct election of the Mayor who until that point had beem an appointee of the Council. -
Grand Central Art Center
Since the 1980s, Santa Ana has been characterized by an effort to revitalize the downtown area which had declined in influence. The Santa Ana Artists Village was created around Cal State Fullertons Grand Central Art Center to attract artists and young professionals to live-work lofts and new businesses. The process has continued into 2009 with the reopening of the historic Yost Thearther .
