Anaheim: The Basics
- Population 328,000; 48 square miles; 10th largest city in California
- Location: 20 miles south of Los Angeles, 90 miles north of San Diego
- City Colors: Blue & White
- City Flower: Calendula; City Tree: Magnolia
- Climate: Mediterranean, with average daily highs of 70 degrees; hot summer days with cool evenings and mild, dry winters.
- Visitors: 42 million visitors per year; 39% travel with children; 1 million come to attend conventions
- Orange County Geography: 798 square miles; 42 miles of coastline & beach; 34 cities including Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine and Santa Ana
Anaheim History
German farmers and vintners came to the land that is now Orange County in the 1850s, finding the rolling hills, mild climate and rich soil perfect for growing for grapes, citrus trees, walnuts and chili peppers. These original farmers fused two words to get the name for their new city: "Ana" from the nearby Santa Ana River, and "heim," the German word for home; thus, Anaheim means "home by the river."
Disneyland
Walt Disney's original idea for the home of Mickey Mouse was rejected by the city of Burbank, as officials feared his 11-acre Mickey Mouse Park would be a "permanent carnival." So Mr. Disney continued to plan his park, and settled on an area in Orange County, which is today the city of Anaheim. Disneyland opened in 1955, and was an instant success: only seven weeks after opening, Disneyland's one millionth visitor entered the gates. Today, nearly 50 years later, Disneyland is still "the happiest place on earth."
Anaheim Goldminers
In 1850, James W. Marshall claimed to have struck a gold mine, literally, in California, causing the first of three major growth waves in Anaheim's history. This first wave brought miners hungry to find the glint of gold in their pans and willing to take a risk for the chance to strike it rich in California. The second growth wave came in the form of a price war between the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe Railroads. With fares as cheap as $1 from Kansas City to Los Angeles, easterners flocked to the west to speculate on land and real estate. The industrial and economic boom of post-WWII America brought a third wave of growth as businesses, roads & highways and residential areas began to modernize and expand the city. Anaheim's interesting history adds to its charm and attraction, from the themes of its venues and public areas to the way it is depicted in modern movies.
Anaheim Modern Revitalization
On July 10, 1990, Anaheim began a $200 million downtown revitalization project to renew and refresh the city. Harbor Place, a palm-tree lined district with shops, restaurants and works of art, and Lincoln Village, a craftsman-style residential area, are two of the newly developed sections of Anaheim that grew out of this restoration effort.
