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Real Estate & Homes in Santa Ana - Santa Ana Information Santa Ana Santa Ana History Santa Ana was established when a Kentucky man named William Spurgeon bought 74 acres of Southern California land for $595. At that time, the region was entirely undeveloped and unused. Its most notable feature was the huge expanse of wild mustard plants that covered the ground. The land's first official owner was Jose Antonio Yorba, a Spanish expedition soldier. Yorba established a rancho and named it Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. Some accounts indicate that Spurgeon purchased his land directly from the Yorba family; others note that another investor owned the land briefly before selling it to Spurgeon. Regardless, when Spurgeon made his purchase in 1869, he did so with the clear intention of building a town. Planning and building began almost immediately. He chose to call his town Santa Ana, after the region's earlier name. Spurgeon was heavily involved in Santa Ana's ongoing development for the remainder of the century. He built a road connecting Santa Ana to Anaheim and a water tower. He served as postmaster, merchant, mayor, and, later, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. In 1877, Southern Pacific Railroad built a line to Santa Ana. Nine years later, the city's 2,000 residents voted for incorporation. When Orange County was formed in 1889, Santa Ana was selected as the county seat. From that point, Santa Ana was headed towards becoming the political and financial powerhouse of Orange County. Learning and art were common interests among Santa Ana's early population. Residents banded together to have the Carnegie Library built in 1903. The opera house was popular and two local newspapers thrived. A Mr. and Mrs. Bowers donated their property to the city so that it may be used as a museum. Shortly after World War II, Santa Ana experienced rapid growth in both industry and residential population. Industrial areas attracted businesses and employment opportunities attracted residents. This activity was the beginning of Santa Ana's urban personality. In the 1980s, the city launched and completed an extensive redevelopment program to attract new businesses, revitalize landmarks, and return some balance to the lifestyle. Today, Santa Ana is dubbed "the Golden City." About Santa Ana Activities Recreational venues in Santa Ana include museums, historical buildings, parks, and shopping complexes. Art, culture, and the celebration of diversity continue to be important aspects of the lifestyle. The city is home to several museums, with artistic, historic, and educational interests. The best known of these are: The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art and the Discovery Science Center. Permanent exhibits at Bowers emphasize California history, while the Discovery Center focuses on science and technology. Children will also enjoy Bowers' Kidseum, which features activities designed to foster children's imagination and appreciation for the arts. Many of Santa Ana's historic buildings have been maintained to provide visitors with a glimpse to the city's past. The original stone courthouse building is an example. A new courthouse took over official proceedings in 1968; destruction of the original building was considered in the 1980s, but there was sufficient support to protect it as a registered landmark. Having been renovated and reinforced, the courthouse now houses historic exhibits. It was also used as a backdrop in the movie Legally Blonde. Another landmark is the Howe-Waffle House, which was originally constructed in 1889. As a gorgeous example of Queen Anne architecture, the mansion was moved to a new location in 1975 and restored by the Santa Ana Historical Society. The center of Santa Ana's art community is the Artists Village located downtown. On the first Saturday of every month, studios and galleries open up and display their work to the public. Visitors can check out unique paintings, performances, and music. Santa Ana has over 35 public park sites located throughout the community. The largest is 87-acre Centennial Park, featuring baseball diamonds, soccer and football fields, hiking trail, and a lake. The city also operates the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park, which features monkeys, tamarins, and other mammals, plus birds, reptiles, and amphibians. As part of the 1980s redevelopment plan, the city built a large, indoor shopping complex, called the Main Place Mall. The mall today is still the center of Santa Ana's retail activity. It is a three-story facility that houses upscale department stores, national chain stores, and a movie theatre. Schools For higher education, residents may attend Santa Ana College or one of several vocational schools within the city. Other educational institutions nearby are: Chapman University, Coastline Community College, and Santiago Canyon College. City Fast Facts Location: Santa Ana is located in central Orange County, where Interstate 5 meets State Route 55. The coastline at Newport Beach is approximately 13 miles southwest, while the center of Los Angeles is about 30 miles northwest. Total area*: 27.1 square miles *Information provided by 2000 Census
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