History of Santa Monica, California in Timeline

Santa Monica, a coastal city in Los Angeles County, California, boasts a population of 93,076 as per the 2020 census. Known for its pleasant climate, beautiful beaches, and thriving hospitality sector, it's a favored resort destination. Beyond tourism, Santa Monica has a diverse and robust economy, serving as the headquarters for major corporations including Hulu, Activision Blizzard, Universal Music Group, Lionsgate, Illumination, and The Recording Academy.

1909: Santa Monica Pier Construction

The Santa Monica Pier, home to the historic Looff Hippodrome carousel and the La Monica Ballroom, was built in 1909.

1912: Majestic Theatre Opening

The Majestic Theatre, Santa Monica's oldest movie theater, opened in 1912.

1918: Early Santa Monica Businesses

Some early businesses in Santa Monica included Douglas Aircraft, GeoCities, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and MySpace.

1922: Douglas Aircraft Company Plant Established

In 1922, Donald Wills Douglas Sr. established a plant for the Douglas Aircraft Company at Clover Field, which is now known as Santa Monica Airport. This marked the beginning of Douglas's significant presence in the city, which continued until the 1970s.

September 23, 1924: Douglas Aircraft's Global Circumnavigation

On September 23, 1924, two Douglas-built planes successfully returned to Santa Monica after completing the first aerial circumnavigation of the world. The planes covered 27,553 miles over 175 days and were welcomed by a crowd of 200,000 people upon their return.

1929: Spite Marriage Filmed

One of the earliest exterior shots of Santa Monica appeared in Buster Keaton's 1929 silent film "Spite Marriage," showcasing a significant portion of 2nd Street.

1929: Santa Monica College Founding

Santa Monica College was founded in 1929.

1933: Impact of the Great Depression on Santa Monica

In 1933, Santa Monica was deeply affected by the Great Depression, with citywide employment reduced to just 1,000 people. Many businesses, including hotels and office buildings, went bankrupt. The Works Project Administration provided relief by constructing key buildings such as City Hall and Barnum Hall.

1935: They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Published

Horace McCoy's novel "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?," published in 1935, takes place during a dance marathon held at a ballroom on the Santa Monica Pier.

1943: Douglas Aircraft Expansion During WWII

In 1943, Douglas Aircraft Company expanded significantly due to World War II, employing up to 44,000 people. To protect the plant from air attacks, the facility was camouflaged by Warner Brothers set designers.

1944: The Glass Menagerie Premieres

Tennessee Williams, who lived in Santa Monica while working at MGM Studios in the 1940s, wrote "The Glass Menagerie," which premiered in 1944.

March 1, 1945: Record Low Temperature in Santa Monica

On March 1, 1945, Santa Monica experienced its lowest temperature at 33°F (1°C), a record matched on March 21, 1952.

1945: Formation of RAND Corporation

In 1945, the RAND Corporation was established as a research and development project under Douglas Aircraft Company. It later evolved into an independent think tank specializing in various fields, influencing global policy and research.

May 14, 1948: RAND Corporation's Independence

On May 14, 1948, the RAND Corporation, originally a project of the Douglas Company, became an independent think tank. RAND acquired a campus across from the Civic Center, where it continues to operate.

1953: End of Passenger Service on Santa Monica Air Line

Passenger service on the Pacific Electric Railway's Santa Monica Air Line, which connected Los Angeles and Santa Monica, was discontinued in 1953. While freight service using diesel power continued along the route for a time, the end of passenger service marked a significant shift in local transportation.

January 1954: Record Snowfall in Santa Monica

In January 1954, Santa Monica recorded trace amounts of snowfall, one of the only months to ever report snow.

1954: The Mattress by the Tomato Patch Published

Tennessee Williams's short story "The Mattress by the Tomato Patch," published in 1954, is set near Santa Monica Beach. The story mentions the prominent clock on The Broadway Building.

1958: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium Completion

In 1958, the construction of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium led to the removal of Belmar, the first African American community in the city.

1963: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Filmed

In 1963, scenes from the comedy "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" were shot in Santa Monica. Notable locations included the California Incline, a key part of the movie's treasure hunt.

November 1, 1966: Record High Temperature in Santa Monica

On November 1, 1966, Santa Monica recorded its highest temperature ever at 100°F (38°C).

1966: Impact of the Santa Monica Freeway

In 1966, the construction of the Santa Monica Freeway led to the destruction of the Pico neighborhood, which had been a prominent African American community.

1977: Three's Company Premieres

The sitcom "Three's Company," set in the Ocean Park neighborhood of Santa Monica, premiered in 1977. The show ran until 1984.

1982: Rocky III Filmed

The 1982 film "Rocky III" featured scenes of Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed training on Santa Monica Beach, preparing for their fight against Clubber Lang.

1984: Three's Company Ends

The long-running sitcom "Three's Company," which was set in Santa Monica, ended its run in 1984.

1984: Olympic Marathon in Santa Monica

The men's and women's marathon events of the 1984 Summer Olympics passed through Santa Monica.

1985: Pee-wee's Big Adventure Filmed

In the 1985 film "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," the iconic scene where Pee-wee Herman's bicycle is stolen was filmed on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

1987: Someone to Love Filmed

The 1987 film "Someone to Love," notable for being Orson Welles's final film appearance, was set in Santa Monica's historic Mayfair Theatre.

March 11, 1988: End of Freight Service on Santa Monica Air Line

Freight service along the former Pacific Electric Railway's Santa Monica Air Line route ceased operations on March 11, 1988. This route, originating from Los Angeles' Exposition Park to Santa Monica, once carried both passengers and freight via electric power starting in the 1920s. The route’s abandonment prompted local discussions about future public transportation needs.

1988: Heathers Filmed

Santa Monica's John Adams Middle School served as a prominent filming location for many exterior shots in the 1988 dark comedy "Heathers."

1989: Driest Year on Record

In 1989, Santa Monica experienced its driest year on record, with only 4.04 inches (103 mm) of rainfall.

1992: Proposal of Sustainable City Plan

In 1992, Santa Monica first proposed its Sustainable City Plan, aiming to establish waste reduction and water conservation policies for the city.

1993: Demolition Man Filmed

Santa Monica served as a backdrop for scenes in the 1993 science fiction action film "Demolition Man," starring Sylvester Stallone.

1994: Adoption of Comprehensive Sustainability Plan

In 1994, Santa Monica became one of the first cities in the United States to adopt a comprehensive sustainability plan, which included policies for waste reduction and water conservation.

1994: Majestic Theatre Closure

The Majestic Theatre closed after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

January 1995: Wettest Month on Record

January 1995 was the wettest month in Santa Monica's history, with 17.82 inches (453 mm) of rainfall.

1995: Species and Get Shorty Filmed

In 1995, Santa Monica provided locations for two films: the science fiction horror film "Species" and the crime comedy "Get Shorty."

December 1996: GeoCities Headquarters Location

In December 1996, GeoCities was headquartered on the third floor of 1918 Main Street in Santa Monica.

1996: Pacific Blue Premieres

The police drama series "Pacific Blue" premiered in 1996 and ran until 2000. The show was set in Santa Monica.

1996: The Truth About Cats & Dogs Filmed

The romantic comedy "The Truth About Cats & Dogs," released in 1996, was set entirely in Santa Monica. Many scenes featured locations like Palisades Park and a radio station resembling Santa Monica College's KCRW.

October 1998: Multiple Shootings in Santa Monica

In October 1998, a series of shootings occurred in Santa Monica, resulting in the deaths of Omar Sevilla, Horst Fietze, and Juan Martin Campos, and the wounding of Javier Cruz. Police suspected gang-related retaliation.

1998: Double Homicide at Westside Clothing Store

In 1998, a double homicide occurred at the Westside Clothing store on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, where Anthony and Michael Juarez were killed by Culver City gang members in a retaliatory shooting.

1998: Wettest Year on Record

The year 1998 was Santa Monica's wettest on record, with a total of 25.4 inches (650 mm) of rainfall.

2000: Hate Crime Levels

Hate crime was minimal in Santa Monica in 2000.

2000: Census Data for Santa Monica

The 2000 census recorded 84,084 people, 44,497 households, and 16,775 families in Santa Monica. The racial demographics were also recorded.

2000: Pacific Blue Ends

The television series "Pacific Blue," set in Santa Monica, concluded in 2000 after a five-season run.

2001: Ocean's Eleven Filmed

Exterior shots of Santa Monica appeared in the 2001 heist film "Ocean's Eleven."

2001: Anti-Islamic Hate Crimes Spike

Santa Monica experienced a rise in anti-Islamic hate crimes in 2001 following the September 11 attacks.

2001: Dogtown and Z-Boys Released

The documentary "Dogtown and Z-Boys," released in 2001, explored the skateboarding culture that emerged in Santa Monica's Ocean Park neighborhood during the 1970s.

2002: Hate Crime Returns to Minimal Levels

Hate crime levels returned to pre-2001 levels in Santa Monica by 2002.

2005: Lords of Dogtown Released

The 2005 film "Lords of Dogtown" dramatized the story of the Zephyr skateboarding team and their influence on skateboarding culture originating in Santa Monica's Dogtown area.

March 10, 2006: Lowest Maximum Temperature

On March 10, 2006, Santa Monica recorded a low maximum temperature of 51°F (11°C), which matched records set in February 2001.

2006: Crime Statistics in Santa Monica

In 2006, the crime rate in Santa Monica was 4.41%, slightly below the national average. Property crime was higher than the county and state averages but lower than the national average.

October 24, 2007: Highest Minimum Temperature

On October 24, 2007, Santa Monica recorded its highest minimum temperature at 72°F (22°C).

2007: Hate Crime in Santa Monica

Only one hate crime incident was reported in Santa Monica in 2007.

2007: Crackdown on Critical Mass Rides

Police cracked down on Santa Monica Critical Mass rides in 2007.

2007: Private Practice Premieres

The medical drama "Private Practice," a spin-off of "Grey's Anatomy," premiered in 2007 and was set in Santa Monica. It ran until 2013.

2008: Continued Crackdown on Critical Mass Rides

Police continued their crackdown on Santa Monica Critical Mass rides in 2008.

2009: ZeroTruck Acquisition

In 2009, Santa Monica acquired its first all-electric medium-duty truck, a ZeroTruck. The vehicle, built on an Isuzu N series chassis and equipped with a Scelzi utility body and a UQM PowerPhase 100 electric motor, was the only US-built electric truck available for sale in the United States that year.

2009: Median Income and Poverty in Santa Monica

In 2009, the median income for a household in Santa Monica was estimated at $71,095, and the median income for a family was $109,410. The per capita income was $42,874.

2009: Bicycle Friendly Community Award (Bronze)

Santa Monica received the Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community Award in 2009.

2009: Development of Zero Waste Plan

Since 2009, Santa Monica has been working on the Zero Waste Strategic Operations Plan to divert at least 95% of waste from landfills by 2030, including a program for composting restaurant food waste.

2009: 17 Again Filmed

The 2009 comedy "17 Again" was filmed at Santa Monica High School (Samohi), showcasing the school's campus and surroundings.

2010: 2010 Census Population and Demographics

According to the 2010 Census, Santa Monica had a population of 89,736, with a density of 10,662.6 inhabitants per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly White, followed by significant Asian and African American populations.

2010: Santa Monica Place Reopening

Santa Monica Place mall reopened in the fall of 2010 after redevelopment.

2010: 2010 Census Income and Poverty

The 2010 Census reported Santa Monica's median household income as $73,649, with 11.2% of the population living below the poverty line.

September 2011: Expo Line Extension Begins Construction

Construction commenced in September 2011 on a 6.6-mile extension of the Expo light rail line to connect Culver City with Santa Monica. This extensive project aimed to enhance public transportation options for commuters in the region.

2012: No specific event found in the text

No specific event related to Santa Monica is described for the year 2012 within the provided text.

2013: Bicycle Friendly Community Award (Silver)

Santa Monica received the Silver Bicycle Friendly Community Award in 2013.

2013: Private Practice Ends

The medical drama series "Private Practice," set in Santa Monica, concluded its run in 2013.

November 2015: Bike Sharing System Launch

Santa Monica launched a bicycle sharing system in November 2015.

May 20, 2016: Expo Line Extension Opens

On May 20, 2016, the 6.6-mile extension of the Expo Line from Culver City to Santa Monica opened, providing new stations at Downtown Santa Monica, 17th Street/SMC, and 26th Street/Bergamot. This new line significantly reduced travel times between Santa Monica and Downtown Los Angeles.

2016: Dune and Beach Restoration Projects

Starting in 2016, local environmental groups in Santa Monica initiated dune and beach restoration projects to combat coastal erosion exacerbated by sea level rise.

2017: Household Income and Technology Access (2017-2021)

Between 2017 and 2021, Santa Monica's median household income was $99,847, with a high rate of computer and broadband access among households.

2017: Ishihara Park Opening

Ishihara Park in Santa Monica opened to the public in 2017.

August 2018: Dockless Scooter Permits Issued

In August 2018, Santa Monica granted permits to several companies, including Bird, Lime, Lyft, and Jump Bikes, to operate dockless scooter-sharing services. This marked the official introduction of this new form of micro-mobility in the city.

February 2019: Switch to 100% Renewable Energy

In February 2019, Santa Monica transitioned to using electricity from the Clean Power Alliance, with a community-wide default of 100% renewable energy sources.

2020: Sustainable Water Master Plan Goal

By 2020, Santa Monica aimed to achieve 100% water independence as part of its Sustainable Water Master Plan, emphasizing water conservation and reuse.

2020: Santa Monica's 2020 Census and Economy

In 2020, the U.S. Census reported Santa Monica's population as 93,076. The city is known as a popular resort town due to its favorable climate and beaches, and it also has a diverse economy. Notably, major companies like Hulu, Activision Blizzard, and Universal Music Group have their headquarters in Santa Monica.

2020: 2020 Census Demographics

The 2020 United States Census reported Santa Monica's population as 93,076, with a diverse racial composition including a majority of White residents, followed by Asian and African American communities.

2022: Top Employers in Santa Monica

The top employers in Santa Monica were listed in the city's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

2022: Homeless Population in Santa Monica

There were 826 homeless individuals in Santa Monica in 2022.

April 2023: Micro-mobility Providers Licensed

As of April 2023, several companies, namely Lyft, Spin, Veo, and Wheels, hold licenses to operate micro-mobility transportation services within Santa Monica. This signifies the city's ongoing commitment to providing diverse, sustainable transportation options for residents and visitors.

2023: PeopleForBikes City Ratings

Santa Monica scored highly in the PeopleForBikes City Ratings in 2023 for its bike network quality.

2028: Olympic Events in Santa Monica

Santa Monica will host beach volleyball and surfing during the 2028 Summer Olympics.

2030: Bike Transportation Mode Share Goal

Santa Monica aims to achieve a 14% to 35% bicycle transportation mode share by 2030.

2030: Climate Action and Adaptation Plan

Santa Monica aims to achieve an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 through its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, aligning with its goal for carbon neutrality by 2050.