Long Beach, California History

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and his crew discovered Long Beach, California in 1542. He stumbled upon the area when the local Native Americans were performing a ritual that involved burning brush and grass. Cabrillo named the area "Bahia de los Fumos" - The Bay of Smokes.

Eventually, Long Beach was divided into two ranchos, Los Cerritos and Los Alamitos. In 1880, William Erwin Willmore, Long Beach's first real estate developer, divided up a portion of Los Cerritos. As a result, the township of Willmore City was launched. Four years and a dozen houses later, the city failed. However, by 1888, hundreds of people had come through the city. With 59 buildings and a school, the City of Long Beach was incorporated. Long beach as grown ever since.

By 1996, Long Beach, California, had become now home to over 440,000 residents and was over 50 square miles.

Back To Top