History of Rancho Palos Verdes, California in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: September 4, 2024

Rancho Palos Verdes, incorporated in 1973, is a coastal city in southern Los Angeles County, California. Known for its upscale housing and scenic location atop the Palos Verdes Peninsula, it boasts a population of over 42,000. The city is celebrated for its abundant natural spaces, including nature preserves and hiking trails, and is adjacent to three other cities within the Palos Verdes Hills.

1910: Introduction of Peafowl

Frank A. Vanderlip is credited with introducing peafowl to the Palos Verdes Peninsula around 1910.

1913: Land Purchase

In 1913, Frank Vanderlip, representing a group of wealthy investors, purchased 25 square miles of land on the Palos Verdes Peninsula for $1.5 million.

1921: Real Estate Trust and Ownership Reversion

In 1921, Edward Gardner Lewis attempted to take over the Palos Verdes development project but failed to raise sufficient capital. Ownership reverted back to Frank Vanderlip.

1926: Point Vicente Lighthouse Construction

The Point Vicente Lighthouse, standing at 67 feet tall, was constructed in 1926 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1949: Wayfarers Chapel Construction Begins

Construction of the Wayfarers Chapel, known for its organic architecture, commenced in 1949.

1951: Wayfarers Chapel Construction Completion

The construction of Wayfarers Chapel was completed in 1951.

1954: Marineland of the Pacific Opens

Marineland of the Pacific, a marine park, opened in Rancho Palos Verdes in 1954.

1960: Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters Established

The Salvation Army established its Territorial Headquarters, including a two-year college for officer training, on the former Marymount College Hawthorne Campus in 1960.

September 7, 1973: City Incorporation

On September 7, 1973, Rancho Palos Verdes was officially incorporated as a city.

1982: Hesse Park Construction and Butterfly Habitat Loss

In 1982, construction at Hesse Park in Rancho Palos Verdes resulted in the destruction of a significant habitat for the endangered Palos Verdes blue butterfly, leading to a lawsuit against the city.

1992: Proposition Z to Transfer LAUSD Portion to PVPUSD Fails

In 1992, Proposition Z, which aimed to move a portion of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) in Eastview to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (PVPUSD), was approved by 84.5% of voters. However, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephen E. O'Neil blocked the transfer.

1998: Terranea Resort Development

The site of the former Marineland of the Pacific was redeveloped in 1998 and is now home to the Terranea Resort.

November 26, 2002: Trump Organization Purchases Ocean Trails Golf Club

On November 26, 2002, The Trump Organization acquired the Ocean Trails Golf Club, which had faced bankruptcy following a landslide, for $27 million.

January 20, 2006: Trump National Golf Club Opens

The Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles officially opened on January 20, 2006.

2009: Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Establishment

In 2009, the city of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy established the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, encompassing a significant portion of the Portuguese Bend region.

2010: 2010 United States Census (Demographics)

According to the 2010 United States Census, Rancho Palos Verdes had a population of 41,643. The racial makeup was detailed, with the majority being White (61.7%) and Asian (29.0%).

2010: Population Decline Since 2010 Census

Rancho Palos Verdes has experienced a population decrease of -1.67% since the 2010 census.

2010: 2010 Median Household Income

The 2010 United States Census reported that Rancho Palos Verdes had a median household income of $118,893.

2015: Peak Population

Rancho Palos Verdes reached its highest recorded population of 42,401 in 2015.

November 2017: Start of Terms for Councilmembers Alegria and Cruikshank

In November 2017, Councilmembers Alegria and Cruikshank began their terms on the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council.

2019: Ferraro's Return to City Council

In 2019, after a period away from the council, Ferraro returned and was elected once again to the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council.

2020: Population Decrease

Since 2020, the population of Rancho Palos Verdes has decreased to 40,948, marking a decline from its peak of 42,401 in 2015.

2020: 2020 United States Census

The 2020 United States Census reported that Rancho Palos Verdes had a population of 42,287.

2020: Top Employers Report

The city of Rancho Palos Verdes released its 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which included a list of the top employers in the city.

2021: Median Household Income Increase

The median household income in Rancho Palos Verdes rose to $158,996 in 2021.

August 2022: Closure of Marymount California University and Acquisition by UCLA

August 2022 marked the closure of Marymount California University, a private liberal arts institution that offered bachelor's and master's degrees. The University of California system subsequently purchased the campus for $80 million, leading to its transformation into UCLA South Bay.

November 2022: Re-election of Councilmembers Bradley and Ferraro

November 2022 saw the re-election of Councilmembers Bradley and Ferraro to the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council. Notably, Ferraro had previously served as mayor over a decade earlier.

2022: Chris Doughty's Gubernatorial Run

In 2022, Chris Doughty, a Massachusetts politician and businessman who was born and raised in Palos Verdes, ran for Governor as a Republican. However, his campaign ended in the primary.

2023: FEMA Grant and Local Emergency Declaration

In 2023, Rancho Palos Verdes received a significant grant from FEMA to address land movement issues in Portuguese Bend. The City Council also declared a local emergency due to landslides in the same area.

January 31, 2024: City Council Update

As of January 31, 2024, the city council was composed of an unspecified membership.

February 2024: Wayfarers Chapel Closure

In February 2024, Wayfarers Chapel announced a temporary closure due to the increasing land movement in the area.

May 2024: Wayfarers Chapel Dismantling

Starting in May 2024, Wayfarers Chapel will undergo a $20 million project to dismantle and store the chapel, led by Architectural Resources Group.

2024: PVPUSD Maintains Top Ranking in School Districts

As of 2024, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (PVPUSD) consistently ranks among the highest performing districts in Los Angeles County and the United States. It typically places in the top three in the county and the top ten in California, outperforming districts like La Canada Unified and San Marino Unified.

2024: Service Suspension and State of Emergency

In 2024, due to severe land movement, So Cal Gas suspended services to numerous homes. In response to the escalating situation, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in September.