LOS ANGELES

southern california
history

1542  Portuguese sailor Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed along the californian coast and discovered Santa Monica Bay.
He found a densely populated region overhung by the 'smog' of countless indian campfires. He named it 'La Bahia de la Fumos', the bay of smokes.

1602  Vizcain sails along the californian coast, Catalina Island and San Pedro Bay were discovered.

1769  Don Gaspar de Portolá, Californias first governor, reached the area. At August 1st the Fransiscans celebrated the fiesta 'Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles Porciuncula'.

1771  Mission San Gabriel was founded by Fransiscans led by father Junipero Serra.

1779  Felipe de Neve was assigned with the task of establishing more settlements. Every settler should get ground in the village and a piece of land outside.

1781  On September 4th the pueblo of Los Angeles was officially established.

1786  Offical title to lands were conveyed to the settlers. José Vanegas was the first mayor.

1805  First american ship in San Pedro, Captain John Shaler visited the Pueblo.

1817  The first school was opened by retired soldier Maximo Pino.

1820  Joseph Chapman became the first american settler.

1822  Mecixo declares their independence - California gets a state.

1826  The first party reached Los Angeles overland, Jedediah Smith and his band of fur trappers.

1835  On May 23rd Los Angeles is raised to the status of a city.

1845  Los Angeles was made the capital of California.

1848  Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2nd acquired California for the United States.

1851  The first newspaper, the bilingual 'Los Angeles Star' was published.

1853  The first hospital opened on upper Main Street.

1867  In Los Angeles County 1.500.000 gallons of wine and 100.000 gallons brandy were produced.

1868  Hayward & Company opened the first bank.

1877  Caroline M. Severance opened the first kindergarden.

1880  The University of Southern California was founded.

1885  The Santa-Fe Railroad reached Los Angeles. The first real estate boom began.

1892  Discovery of oil by Edward L. Doheny and Charles Canfield near Second Street/ Glendale Blvd.

1897  First known automobile to appear in Los Angeles streets arrives, built by J.P. Erie.

1906  First motion picture studio was opened, L.A. gets its first movie theater.

1913  Los Angeles aqueduct opened, a 235-mile water delivery system from the Owens Valley River.

1922  Radio broadcasting came to Los Angeles with the stations KFI, KHJ and KNX.

1928  Daily airline flights began between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

1939  The first TV station began operations.

1950  The first electric guitars, produced in quantity, were delievered from Fender Electric Instrument Co.