History of Anaheim, California in Timeline

Anaheim, California, is the most populous city in Orange County and the tenth-most populous in California, with a population of 346,824 as of 2020. Situated in the Greater Los Angeles area, it's a major hub for tourism and entertainment. Anaheim is renowned for hosting the Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Convention Center. It's also home to two professional sports teams: the Los Angeles Angels (MLB) and the Anaheim Ducks (NHL). The city previously housed the Los Angeles Rams (NFL) for a period. As the second largest city in Orange County by land area, Anaheim holds significant regional importance.

1900: Anaheim in Orange County

In 1900, Anaheim appeared as a city in the newly formed Orange County in the U.S. census.

1910: Chinese Residents Leave Anaheim

After 1910, due to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and anti-Chinese sentiment, Chinese residents gradually left Anaheim.

1921: Rudolph Boysen Becomes Park Superintendent

In 1921, Rudolph Boysen became Anaheim's first Park Superintendent.

April 1924: Ku Klux Klan Members Elected

In April 1924, Ku Klux Klan members were elected to the Anaheim City Council on a platform of political reform, leading to the firing of Catholic city employees and attempts to enforce prohibition.

1925: Klan Opponents Retake Local Government

In 1925, Klan opponents took back local government in Anaheim, leading to the collapse of the Klan chapter.

1935: Only One Chinese Resident Remains

By 1935, only one Chinese resident remained in Anaheim.

1950: End of Rudolph Boysen's Tenure

In 1950, Rudolph Boysen ended his tenure as Anaheim's first Park Superintendent.

July 16, 1954: Disneyland Construction Begins

On July 16, 1954, construction of Disneyland began, leading to a tourism boom in Anaheim.

July 17, 1955: Disneyland Opening

On July 17, 1955, Disneyland opened, transforming Anaheim from an agricultural community into a tourism and industrial center.

1966: California Angels Relocate to Anaheim

In 1966, the California Angels relocated from Los Angeles to Anaheim.

1980: Los Angeles Rams Relocation

In 1980, the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League relocated to Anaheim.

1980: Los Angeles Rams Relocate to Anaheim Stadium

In 1980, the Los Angeles Rams relocated to Anaheim Stadium.

June 21, 1985: Fricker Fertilizer Factory Fire

On June 21, 1985, the Fricker Fertilizer Factory fire released toxic chemicals into the air, becoming one of the worst environmental disasters in Orange County.

February 15, 1990: Record Low Temperature

On February 15, 1990, Anaheim recorded a record low temperature of 30 °F (−1 °C).

1993: Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Founded

In 1993, The Walt Disney Company founded the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

1994: Los Angeles Rams Last Season

The Los Angeles Rams played in Anaheim until 1994.

1995: Los Angeles Rams Relocate to St. Louis

In 1995, the Los Angeles Rams relocated to St. Louis.

1998: Purchase of Fujishige Strawberry Farm

In 1998, Disney purchased the Fujishige Strawberry Farm for just under $100 million, which later became the site of a Hilton Hotel and the 'Toy Story' parking lot.

2001: Disney's California Adventure Opens

In 2001, Disney's California Adventure opened to the public.

January 30, 2002: Record Low Temperature

On January 30, 2002, Anaheim recorded a record low temperature of 30 °F (−1 °C).

January 3, 2005: Anaheim Angels Name Change

On January 3, 2005, Angels Baseball LP announced that it would change the name of the club to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

February 2006: Jury Trial Victory for Angels

In February 2006, a jury trial resulted in a victory for the Angels franchise in a dispute over the team's name.

May 2006: Anaheim Appeals Court Decision

In May 2006, Anaheim appealed the court decision regarding the Angels' name change.

2007: Anaheim Sesquicentennial

In 2007, Anaheim celebrated its sesquicentennial.

December 2008: Appeals Court Upholds Decision

In December 2008, the Appeals Court upheld the February 2006 decision and ruled in favor of Angels Baseball.

January 2009: City Council Ends Legal Dispute

In January 2009, the Anaheim City Council voted not to appeal the court case any further, ending the four-year legal dispute.

2010: Median Household Income

At the 2010 census, Anaheim had a median household income of $59,627.

2010: Disney's California Adventure Renamed

In 2010, Disney's California Adventure was renamed Disney California Adventure Park.

2010: Anaheim Census Results

The 2010 United States census reported that Anaheim had a population of 336,265.

July 2012: Political Protests by Hispanic Residents

In July 2012, political protests by Hispanic residents occurred following the fatal shooting of two men, leading to concerns over police brutality and a perceived lack of political representation.

November 2014: Measures L and M on the ballot

In November 2014, in response to protests and a California Voting Rights Act lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union and several residents, Anaheim placed two measures on the ballot. Measure L proposed that council members be elected by district instead of at large, and Measure M proposed to increase the number of council seats from five to seven. Both measures passed in November 2014.

2014: Council seats elected at large

Up until 2014, all council seats were elected at large in Anaheim. Voters elected the mayor and four other members of the city council to serve four-year staggered terms. Elections for two council seats were held in years divisible by four while elections for the mayor and the two other council seats were elected during the intervening even-numbered years.

July 6, 2018: Record High Temperature

On July 6, 2018, Anaheim recorded a record high temperature of 115 °F (46 °C).

2018: Streetcar service proposal rejected

In 2018, a proposal for streetcar service along Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim was rejected.

2019: Crime statistics reported

In 2019, Anaheim reported 8 murders, which was lower than the average national rate by 17%. Reported rapes in the city are relatively uncommon as well, but have been increasing, along with the national average. There were 396 reported incidents of robbery and 575 incidents of aggravated assault, while 1,123 burglaries, 5,904 thefts, and 1,231 car thefts were reported in 2019. All three types of crime were below average.