Timeline of Santa Ana, California facts for kids

Santa Ana is a vibrant city in California, USA. This timeline shares important moments in its history, from when it first became a city to more recent times. It shows how Santa Ana has grown and changed over the years, becoming the lively place it is today.

Early History of Santa Ana

• 1877 – The Southern Pacific Railroad started running trains through Santa Ana. This helped people and goods travel to and from the city.
• 1886 – Santa Ana officially became a city. This means it got its own local government.
• 1889
  • Santa Ana became the main city, or "county seat," for Orange County. This meant important government offices were located here.
  • The Howe-Waffle House, a historic home, was built.

Santa Ana in the 20th Century

• 1901 – The County Courthouse, an important building for legal matters, was constructed.
• 1905 – The Santa Ana Daily Register newspaper began publishing, sharing local news with residents.
• 1912 – The Auditorium Theatre, a place for performances and events, was built.
• 1919 – The Orange County Historical Society was started. This group helps preserve and share the history of the area.
• 1923 – The Santa Ana Business and Professional Women's Club became active, helping women in the community.
• 1924 – The Walker Theatre opened, offering entertainment to the city.
• 1933 – A large earthquake, known as the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, shook Santa Ana and the surrounding areas.
• 1935 – The Santa Ana Independent newspaper began publishing.
• 1970 – The city's population grew to 156,601 people.
• 1973 – The Orange County Historical Commission was created to focus on the county's history.
• 1974 – Heritage Orange County was founded to protect historical places.
• 1983 – The Discovery Museum of Orange County was founded. It's a fun science museum for kids and families.
• 1985 – The Orange County Register newspaper was being published.
• 1988
  • Habitat for Humanity of Orange County was established. This group helps build homes for families in need.
  • The Old Courthouse Museum was also opened.
• 1990
  • The Sikh Center of Orange County was established, providing a place of worship and community for Sikhs.
  • The population of Santa Ana reached 293,742 people.
• 1994 – Miguel A. Pulido became the mayor of Santa Ana.
• 1997
  • The city's official website went online, making information more accessible.
  • Loretta Sanchez became a U.S. representative for the area.
• 2000 – The population of Santa Ana continued to grow, reaching 337,977 people.

Santa Ana in the 21st Century

• 2015 – The population was recorded as 335,264.
• 2017 – Santa Ana became an immigrant sanctuary city. This means the city has policies to help protect immigrants.