ROOTED HERE
The history of Santa Ana
A townsite on former rancho land, a county seat, and neighborhoods shaped by generations of residents. Start with a few milestones in Santa Ana’s story.
People who shaped Santa Ana
Santa Ana’s story extends beyond prominent buildings. Families, workers and independent businesses have shaped its neighborhoods across generations. The Historical Preservation Society’s account traces changes in farming, transport and community life. Read the local historical account.
Watch the city’s history
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Santa Ana History Room
A local history film shared by City of Santa Ana.
Watch on YouTube ↗Santa Ana in old photos
See all 6 old photos
Famous people born in Santa Ana
See all 48 famous people
- Before the townsite
Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana
The townsite developed on land that had been part of Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. The earlier history of the valley includes Indigenous communities, Spanish colonization and the ranchos of the Mexican period.
Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society ↗ - 1869
A new townsite
William Spurgeon laid out the settlement that became Santa Ana. Its initial streets formed the basis of the growing downtown.
Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society ↗ - 1886
Santa Ana incorporates
Santa Ana incorporated as a city in 1886, before Orange County became a separate county.
City historic-property record ↗ - 1889
A county seat
The creation of Orange County made Santa Ana its county seat, adding a civic role to the city’s commercial life.
Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society ↗ - 1913
The Spurgeon Building
The Spurgeon Building became a prominent downtown landmark, named for the town’s founder.
Travel Santa Ana ↗ - Today
A living downtown
Historic architecture shares downtown with galleries, local kitchens and independent businesses. Use current calendars to plan an art visit.
Travel Santa Ana ↗
See the history for yourself.
Walk the Downtown Santa Ana Historic Districts along Fourth Street, past the clock tower atop the W. H. Spurgeon Building. Check current opening hours before visiting Bowers Museum.
For deeper research, the Santa Ana Public Library is a starting point for archival material and research help. Historic photographs have their own permissions; we link to the collection instead of treating every old image as free to reuse.
Selected milestones researched September 13, 2026. This is an introduction, not a complete account of the city’s history.