The History of Santa Anna, California

By alenajera
  • Junipero Serra named the area Vallejo de Santa Ana

    Junipero Serra named the area Vallejo de Santa Ana

    After the 1769 expedition of Gaspar de Portola our of Mexico City, then capitol of New Spain, Junipero Serra named the area Vallejo de Santa Ana.
  • Mission San Juan Capistrano was established within this valley

    Mission San Juan Capistrano was established within this valley

    This Sana Ana Valley comprised most of what is now called Orange County.
  • Year of the commencement of the war of Mexican Independence

    Year of the commencement of the war of Mexican Independence

  • 1810-1821, Jose Antonio Yorba, a sargeant of the Spanish army, was granted land that he called Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana

    1810-1821, Jose Antonio Yorba, a sargeant of the Spanish army, was granted land that he called Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana

    Yorba´s rancho included lands where the cities of Olive, Orange, Irvine, Yorba Linda, Villa¨Park, Santa Ana, Tustin, Costa Mesa, El Modena and Santa Ana Heights are today.
  • After the Mexican-American war ended and Alta California became part of the Unites States

    After the Mexican-American war ended and Alta California became part of the Unites States

    American settlers arrived to this area
  • William H Spurgeon claimed the land obtained from the descendents of Jose Antonio Yorba

    William H Spurgeon claimed the land obtained from the descendents of Jose Antonio Yorba

  • Santa Ana was incorporated as a city with a population of 2000

    Santa Ana was incorporated as a city with a population of 2000

  • Santa Ana became the seat of the newly formed Orange County

    Santa Ana became the seat of the newly formed Orange County

  • The Pacific Electric Railway from Los Angeles was extended to Santa Ana

    The Pacific Electric Railway from Los Angeles was extended to Santa Ana

    The "red cars" made travel to Los Angeles easier and helped continue Santa Ana´s population boom. Due to declining leadership, the route was abandoned by the 1950´s and the tracks were removed along with much of the rest of the Pacific Electric system.
  • During World War II, the Santa Ana Army Air Base was built as a training center for the United States Army Air Forces

    During World War II, the Santa Ana Army Air Base was built as a training center for the United States Army Air Forces

    The base was responsible for continued population growth in Santa Ana and the rest of Orange County as many veterans moved to the area to raise families after the end of the war.
  • Santa Ana is named a Charter City

    Santa Ana is named a Charter City

  • The Santa Ana Freeway was opened

    The Santa Ana Freeway was opened

    This increased the ease of travel by automobile.
  • Since the 1980´s Santa Ana has been categorized by an effort to revitalize the downtown area

    Since the 1980´s Santa Ana has been categorized by an effort to revitalize the downtown area

    The Santa Ana Artist´s Village was created around Cal State Fullerton´s Grand Central Art Center to attract artists and young professionals to live-work lofts and new businesses.
  • Westfield Main Place was opened

    Westfield Main Place was opened

    Before it was called MainPlace Mall, it opened north of downtown and became a major retail center for the area.
  • The citizens of Santa Ana amended the Charter

    The citizens of Santa Ana amended the Charter

    It was amended to provide for the direct election of the Mayor who until that point had been an apointee of the Council.
  • Reopening of the historic Yost Theater

    Reopening of the historic Yost Theater

  • Current Mayor of Santa Ana is Miguel A. Pulido

    Current Mayor of Santa Ana is Miguel A. Pulido

    Miguel A. Pulido, is the first mayor of Latino descent in the city´s history and in fact, the first Mayor directly elected by the voters.