Santa Ana

Mission San Juan Capistrano was the seventh of 21 Spanish missions in California, founded by Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order. The mission was founded on November 1, 1776, by Father Junípero Serra in what is now present-day southern Orange County. The mission was named after Giovanni da Capistrano, a 15th-century theologian and 'warrior priest' in the Franciscan order from the Italian town of Capestrano.

In 1834-1835, during the Mexican secularization act of the missions, the territories including what is present-day Santa Ana were granted under the name Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana to Spanish settlers. This significant land grant marked the shift from mission lands back to secular hands and began the development of large ranchos in the region.

William H. Spurgeon, a Kentuckian who purchased 70 acres of land in what today is downtown Santa Ana, founded the city on October 9, 1869. He sold lots, helped lay out the streets, established the first schools, and contributed a great deal to the growth of the area. Santa Ana became a hub mainly for agriculture, serving as a key distribution point for Southern California.

Orange County was created on August 1, 1889, after several attempts to break away from Los Angeles County. Santa Ana was selected as the county seat after a vote. This separation allowed for more local control over developments in this increasingly populated and agriculturally rich region, ultimately facilitating more tailored governance.

In September 1906, the first line of Henry E. Huntington's Pacific Electric Railway opened to Santa Ana, connecting Santa Ana to Los Angeles via electric streetcars. This development significantly boosted residential and commercial growth, as the link with Los Angeles facilitated easy commuter access and transport of goods.

Santa Ana became officially incorporated as a charter city on March 18, 1919. Incorporation provided the city with greater autonomy to pass laws and expand public services, leading to significant urban development in subsequent decades. This marked a pivotal shift in governance from a rural town to an urban city structure.

Santa Ana Army Air Base was established during World War II on February 19, 1942. The base served as a basic training center for pilots and flying officers. Thousands of airmen were trained there, contributing significantly to the war effort. After the war, the base was decommissioned and transformed for civilian use.

In February 1971, Santa Ana became the largest city in Orange County by population, surpassing Anaheim. This milestone illustrated the rapid post-war growth and suburban development occurring within the region, marking Santa Ana as a major urban center in Southern California.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the Santa Ana River Flood Control Project in January 1981. This project provided critical infrastructure improvements aimed at flood prevention for the surrounding areas, which were historically prone to flooding due to seasonal rains. As a result, it increased safety and promoted growth in Santa Ana and nearby cities.

Natividad Creek Park was officially opened in November 1994, providing a major recreational space for residents to enjoy outdoor activities. The park includes amenities such as jogging paths, picnic areas, and sports fields, promoting community health and wellness. It became a staple recreational area, symbolizing urban renewal initiatives within Santa Ana.

On December 15, 2009, the Orange County Register, one of the area's major newspapers, ceased its operations from its Santa Ana print site. The closure was part of a broader trend in the newspaper industry dealing with declining print revenue and the shift toward digital media. It marked a significant change for local journalism as digital formats became more prevalent.

On October 24, 2017, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Orange County Streetcar project took place. This project aimed to create a streetcar line connecting Santa Ana to Garden Grove, enhancing public transportation. The project signified efforts to modernize transit infrastructure and improve urban mobility in response to growing population demands.