More about Placentia California

The history of Placentia starts back in 1837 when the Mexican Governor in charge of California granted a piece of the Rancho San Juan Cajon de Santa Ana to Juan Ontiveros. The first english settler to come to the area was Daniel Kraemer who arrived in 1865. Kraemer acquired 3,900 acres of the Rancho and in 1868, William McFadden and Sarah Ann McFadden purchased an additional 100 acres of land. Within just a few short years, enough people had moved into the area, they were able to open a school district, the Cajon School District. In 1878, Mrs. McFadden suggested they change the name of the school district to Placentia School District; Placentia comes from the Spanish word meaning “pleasant place to live.” The name was soon given to the town as well as the school district. One man who was essential to the success of the city was Albert Sumner Bradford who was responsible for laying out the city’s streets and he convinced the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to make a route through Placentia on its way to Los Angeles. This move, plus the city’s agricultural industry, put it on the map. By 1926, the residents, who totaled 500, voted for incorporations. By 1960, the city’s population was at 5,000 but expanded to 25,000 in the next decade and by 1971, it was given the prestigious “All American City” Award. This award is given annual by the National Civic League to only ten cities. In recent years, the city has had financial difficulties due to the mismanagement of the OnTrac project, a failed railroad realignment program in the Old Town district of the city. Because of this, the city has had to reduce services, and since 2007 is said to be in $30 million in debt.