Placentia’s colorful history began in 1837 when the Mexican Governor granted the Rancho San Juan Cajon De Santa Ana to Juan Ontiveros. This land grant included the area which today comprises Placentia, Anaheim, Fullerton and La Habra. Our first pioneer was Daniel Kraemer, who purchased 3900 acres in 1865. Three years later, William McFadden and his wife, Sarah Jane acquired 100 additional acres in this area. Many other settlers arrived in the following years. As our community slowly developed, schools and churches were erected.

The school district’s original name was the Cajon School District. In 1878, at the suggestion of Sarah Jane McFadden, the name was changed to the Placentia School District. The city name came from that change. Placentia is derived from a Latin word meaning “pleasant place to live.”

Placentia was placed on the map in 1910 when A. S. Bradford persuaded the Santa Fe Railroad to re-route their track through this area, thus shortening the rail distance to Los Angeles. A station was built and packing houses were established for the town’s growing citrus industry. Mr. Bradford also laid out the main streets of the town; and, in his honor, Bradford Avenue retains his name today.

The climate and rich land attracted an ever-growing number of new residents. Five hundred citizens voted to incorporate in 1926. The area was well suited to the raising of citrus, walnuts, avocados, and grapes. Placentia became the center of Valencia orange growing and packing.

In 1960, Placentia’s population had reached only 5000; but, at that time, a phenomenal growth period began. In ten years, by 1970, the population increased five-fold to nearly 25,000. Today, Placentia is still a fast-growing community of 45,000 residents, with beautiful suburban homes, good schools, stately churches, and wholesome recreation.

We are not the only “Placentia” in the world. A check of the World Atlas reveals a Placentia in Newfoundland. Placentia Point is a geographical feature on the coast on British Honduras. Hannibal, with his army and warrior elephants, camped in Placentia in Northern Italy prior to crossing the Alps.

General Information, Facts & Symbols

The United States of America accepted Nevada as the 36th state to enter the union on October 31, 1864.

Abbreviation:
NV

Capital of Nevada State:
Carson City

Primary Agriculture:
Nevada agriculture is directed primarily toward range livestock production. Cattle and calves are the leading agricultural industry. Cow-calf operations predominate with a few stocker operators and feedlots. Alfalfa hay is the leading cash crop of the state.

Primary Industry:
Nevada is most recognized for its world renowned casinos and resorts.

Nevada State Nickname:
The Silver State

Nevada State Motto:
All for our country.

Nevada State Flower:
Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)
(Legislation of 1917)

Nevada State Tree:
Single-Leaf Pinon (Legislation of 1953)

Nevada State Bird:
Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)
(Legislation of 1967)

The Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a medium-sized thrush that breeds in open country across western North America, including mountain areas.

The adult Mountain Bluebirds have thin bills. Adult males of the species are bright blue and lighter underneath. The wings and tail of the females is duller blue and they have a grey breast, crown, throat and back.

Nevada State Fish:
Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (Legislation of 1981)

Nevada State Insect:
None (Legislation Pending)

Nevada State Gemstone:
Nevada Turquoise (Legislation of 1987)

Official State Seal:
Depicted to the right is the state seal of Nevada. The seal of the state of Nevada is a symbol of the authority and sovereignty of the state and is a valuable asset of its people. It is the intent of the state government to ensure that appropriate uses are made of the state seal and to assist the secretary of state in the performance of the secretary’s constitutional duty as custodian of the seal.

Official State Flag:
Depicted to the left is the state flag of Nevada. The flag of the state of Nevada is a symbol of the authority and sovereignty of the state and is a valuable asset of its people. The Nevada flag is flown over all state buildings just below the country flag of the United States of America.

State Commemorative Quarter:
From the 1999-2008 United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program.
The first commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2006 honors Nevada, and is the 36th coin in the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program. Nevada, nicknamed “The Silver State,” was admitted into the Union on October 31, 1864, becoming our Nation’s 36th state. Nevada’s quarter depicts a trio of wild mustangs, the sun rising behind snow-capped mountains, bordered by sagebrush and a banner that reads “The Silver State.” The coin also bears the inscriptions “Nevada” and “1864″.

Nevada became a territory in 1861, several years after a Mormon Battalion in the Mexican War discovered gold and silver in the area of Virginia City. This discovery would later be referred to as one of the greatest mineral discoveries, famously known as the Comstock Lode.

Nevada is home to more than 50 percent of the Nation’s wild horses. The wild horses dominate the Great Basin in the vast deserts and the more than 150 mountain ranges. The first mention of wild horses was discovered in several journals dating to the 1820s.

Quarter Specifications
Release Date: January 31, 2006
Reverse (tails) Side: The Silver State
Engraver: Don Everhart
Standard Weight: 5.670g
Standard Diameter: 24.26mm (0.955 in)
Thickness: 1.75 mm
Edge Detail: Reeded
Composition: Cupro-Nickel Clad
(8.33% Nickel / 91.67% Copper)

Important Historical Figures of Nevada

Kit Carson
1809-68: U.S. frontiersman and scout. Born in Madison co., Kentucky. After Los Angeles was taken in 1846 by U.S. military forces, he was ordered to Washington with dispatches. In New Mexico he met Gen. Stephen Kearny’s troops, and Kearny commanded him to guide his forces to California.
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John C. Fremont
1813-90: American explorer, soldier, and political leader. Born in Savannah, Georgia. He taught mathematics to U.S. naval cadets, then became an assistant on a surveying expedition (1838-39) between the upper Mississippi River and the Missouri. He eloped (1841) with Jessie, daughter of Senator Thomas H. Benton, who, after he became reconciled to the match, helped his son-in-law secure command of an expedition to explore the Des Moines River. The next year (1842) Fremont headed an expedition to the Rocky Mts. with Kit Carson as guide, and in 1843-44, with first Thomas Fitzpatrick and then Carson as guide, he went to Oregon. He explored the Nevada country, crossed the Sierra Nevada to California, and returned home by a more southerly route. His enthusiastic reports created wide interest in Western scenery and Western concerns.

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General Information, Facts & Symbols

The United States of America accepted California as the 31st state to enter the union on September 9, 1850.

Abbreviation:
CA

Capital of California State:
Sacramento

Primary Agriculture:
California grows more food than any other state in the country. among these crops are almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, kiwi, raisins, strawberries, walnuts and wine.

Primary Industry:
California industries include manufacturing (transportation equipment, machinery, and electronic equipment), agriculture, biotechnology and tourism. Principal natural resources include timber, petroleum, cement and natural gas.

California State Nickname:
The Golden State

California State Tree:
California Redwood (Legislation of 1937)

California State Flower:
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
(Legislation of 1903)
California State Bird:
California Quail (Callipepla californica)
(Legislation of 1931)

The California Quail (Callipepla californica, is a small ground-dwelling bird in the quail family that breeds in shrubby areas and open woodlands in western North America.

The California Quail have a curving crest that droops forward (black in males and brown for females), their flanks are brown with white streaks. Males of the species have a dark brown cap, a black face with a brown back, a grey-blue chest and light brown belly. Females of the species and immature birds are mainly grey-brown with a light colored belly.

California State Fish:
Golden Trout (Legislation of 1947)

California State Insect:
California Dogface Butterfly (Legislation of 1972)

California State Gemstone:
Benitoite (Legislation of 1985)

Official State Seal:
Depicted is the state seal of California. The seal of the state of California is a symbol of the authority and sovereignty of the state and is a valuable asset of its people. It is the intent of the state government to ensure that appropriate uses are made of the state seal and to assist the secretary of state in the performance of the secretary’s constitutional duty as custodian of the seal.

The Official California State Flag

Depicted to the left is the state flag of California. The flag of the state of California is a symbol of the authority and sovereignty of the state and is a valuable asset of its people. The California flag is flown over all state buildings just below the country flag of the United States of America.

State Commemorative Quarter:
From the 1999-2008 United States Mint

The first quarter released in 2005 honors California, and is the 31st in the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program. California was admitted into the Union on September 9, 1850, becoming our Nation’s 31st State. Nicknamed the “Golden State,” California’s quarter depicts naturalist and conservationist John Muir admiring Yosemite Valley’s monolithic granite headwall known as “Half Dome” and also contains a soaring California condor. The coin bears the inscriptions “California,” “John Muir,” “Yosemite Valley” and “1850″.In 1849, the year before California gained statehood, the family of 11-year-old John Muir emigrated from Scotland to the United States, settling in Wisconsin. In 1868, at the age of 30, Muir sailed up the West Coast and landed in San Francisco. He made his home in the Yosemite Valley, describing the Sierra Nevada Mountains as “the Range of Light” the most divinely beautiful of all the mountain chains I have seen.” He devoted the rest of his life to the conservation of natural beauty, publishing more than 300 articles and 10 books that expanded his naturalist philosophy.In 1890, Congress established Yosemite National Park, and in 1892 John Muir helped form the Sierra Club to protect it, serving as that organization’s President until his death in 1914.

Important Historical Figures of California

John Sutter
1803-80: In the 1840′s, businessman Sutter ran a trading empire from a fort he built (with Native american help) in what is now mid-town Sacramento. He also was owner of Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, where gold was first discovered in 1848 by James Marshall.

Jedediah Smith
1798-1831: This early 19-th century trapper and explorer is believed to have been the first non-Native american to cross the Sierra Nevada mountains. He was also among the first white men to explore the state’s far northern coast. A beautiful redwood state park and the scenic Smith River are named after him.

John Muir
1838-1914: an explorer, naturalist, and writer, Muir helped preserve many of California’s greatest scenic wonders, such as Yosemite Valley and Kings Canyon, now both national parks. He also founded the Sierra Club, a well-known San Francisco-based conservation group. Muir Woods National Monument, a redwood grove north of San Francisco, is named for him.

Leland Stanford
1824-93: This tycoon helped map out a route for the first transcontinental railroad, which linked California to the East Coast in 1869. He also started Stanford University in Palo alto.

Back to Locations

Almost everyone has heard of Las Vegas, NV. It is famous for being the gambling captiol of the United States, but there is much more to Las Vegas than gambling. Let’s take a quick run through the history of Las Vegas:

10,000 Years Ago:
Paleo-Indians first visited the Las Vegas valley hundreds of years ago. They lived as nomads, traveling and camping in different locations. These people left behind petroglyphs that help us tell our early history.

2,000 Years Ago:
Anasazi Indians move into southern Nevada and live along the Muddy and Virgin rivers. The “Lost City” are ruins of the Anasazi community that can be found in Overton, Nevada, northwest of Las Vegas. The Pauite people also explored the Las Vegas area.

1829:
A young scout named Rafael Rivera is the first person of European ancestry to look upon the valley. His discovery of a valley with abundant wild grasses growing and a plentiful water supply reduces the journey by several days. The valley is named Las Vegas, Spanish for “The Meadows.”

1844:
John C. Fremont arrived in Las Vegas and kept a journal describing two springs he found. These writings were very popular and lured many individuals to the area.

1855:
Members of the Mormon Church choose Las Vegas as the site to build a fort halfway between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, where they would travel to gather supplies. The remainder of the Mormon Fort can still be seen at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue. The fort was abandoned several years later.

1864:
Nevada is admitted into the union as the 36th state. This day is recognized annually as a state holiday.

Late 1800′s:
The discovery of minerals, including precious metals, leads to the beginning of the mining industry.

1885:
The State Land Act of 1885 offers sections of land at $1.25 per acre. Farmers move in and agriculture becomes the dominant industry for the next 20 years.

Early 1900′s:
The completion of the main railway, linking Southern California with Salt Lake City, establishes Las Vegas as a railroad town. The availability of water makes Las Vegas an ideal refueling point and rest stop.

1905:
Las Vegas is founded as a city on May 15, 1905, when 110 acres of land situated between Stewart Avenue on the north, Garces Avenue to the south, Main Street to the west, and 5th Street (Las Vegas Boulevard) to the east, are auctioned off.

1909:
The Nevada Legislature creates Clark County on July 1, 1909. The new county was named after William Clark, who brought the railroad to southern Nevada. Las Vegas became the county seat. Prior to the formation of Clark County, southern Nevada was part of Lincoln County.

1911:
Las Vegas is incorporated on March 16, 1911. The population stands at 800. Clark County has a population of 3,321.

Divorce laws are liberalized in the State of Nevada, making residency easier to attain. A “quickie” divorce can be attained after six weeks of residency. These short-term residents stay at “dude ranches” which are the forerunners of the sprawling Strip hotels.

1930:
Las Vegas grows to a population of 5,165.

1931:
Beginning in 1931, the construction of Hoover Dam brings an influx of construction workers which starts a population boom and gives the Valley’s economy, which was in the grips of the Great Depression, a needed boost.

While gambling took place illegally for many years, it was officially legalized in March 1931 by the state legislature.

1935:
Hoover Dam is complete. At 726 feet high and more than 1,200 feet long when built, it was the tallest dam in the world. President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke at the dam’s dedication.

1940′s:
Las Vegas’ population has grown to 8,422. The outbreak of World War II brings the defense industry to the valley. The isolated location, along with plentiful water and inexpensive energy, makes Las Vegas an ideal site for military and defense related industries. The site for Nellis Air Force Base is located in the northeast, and the Basic Management Complex, providers of raw materials, is located in the southeastern suburb of Henderson. The defense industry continues to employ a significant number of valley residents.

In 1944, the city of Las Vegas begins to operate council / manager form of government. Previous to this date, the city was operated as a “commission” form of government.

1945:
Following World War II, lavishly decorated resort hotels and gambling casinos offering top-name entertainment come into existence. Tourism and entertainment took over as the largest employer in the valley.

1951:
The first atomic bomb is detonated at the Nevada Test Site north of Las Vegas. People flocked to watch the tests until the limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963 required that nuclear tests be moved underground.

1955:
Moulin Rouge, Las Vegas’ first racially integrated hotel, opens its doors

1956:
The city of Las Vegas annexes one square mile of land, its first such addition since incorporation 45 years earlier.

1957:
Topless Showgirls debut on the Strip with “Minsky’s Follies.”

1959:
“Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign is created by Betty Willis.
The Nevada State Legislature creates the Nevada Gaming Commission.

1960:
Las Vegas encompasses 25 square miles and has a population of 64,405. Las Vegas has more than 22 percent of Nevada’s total population on less than .02 percent of the State’s land. At the same time, Clark County has a population of 127,016.

1960′s:
During the 1960s, a phenomenon led by Howard Hughes, occurs in Las Vegas. Corporations are building and/or buying hotel/casino properties. They have the capital necessary and the profitability makes entrance into the casino industry extremely attractive. Gambling becomes “gaming” and starts the transition into legitimate business.

1969:
Elvis Presley opens at the International Hotel, now known as the Las Vegas Hilton.

1970-1980:
Corporations continue to invest in the hotel/casino industry. Gaming becomes a legitimate business and some properties have stock traded on the market.

1980:
Las Vegas economy remains strong and the population increases to 164,674. Clark County, meanwhile, grows to a population of 463,087.

1980′s:
Starting in the mid 1980s, a period of unprecedented growth begins. Annual population increases averaging nearly 7 percent causes the city’s population to almost double between 1985 and 1995, increasing from 186,380 to 368,360, a 97.6 percent increase. That is equivalent to building a city larger than Reno in 10 years! At the same time, Clark County’s population increases from 562,280 to 1,036,180, an increase of 84.3 percent.

1990′s:
Contributing to the population growth is a 4 percent annual increase in hotel rooms and a 9.18 percent annual increase in jobs.

1993:
The Dunes Hotel is imploded.

1995:
The Fremont Street Experience opens. The $70-million canopy above Fremont Street provides visitors with spectacular light and sound show.

2000:
The US Census reports the population of Las Vegas is 478,434 over a land area of 113 square miles. There are over 500 churches and synagogues, 799 acres of parks, 7 television stations, and 12 radio stations (4 AM and 8FM). Las Vegas is the largest metropolitan city in the U.S. that was founded in 20th century.

The Las Vegas City Council grows from four wards to six. A vote of the people in 1999 approved an advisory ballot question allowing this change.

2005:
The city of Las Vegas celebrated its 100th birthday on May 15, 2005. The events celebrated the May 15, 1905 auction in which 110 acres of downtown Las Vegas laid the foundation for the city we know today. The celebration began on December 31, 2004, and lasted throughout 2005.
For more information, visit the Centennial Web site.

June 2007:
The Las Vegas Springs Preserve, a cultural and historical experience just miles from downtown Las Vegas opens to the public. The 180-acre national historic site is commonly referred to as the “birthplace of Las Vegas.”

Fun Facts

• The city of Las Vegas celebrated its 100th birthday on May 15, 2005. The event celebrated the May 15, 1905 land auction when 110 acres of land in downtown Las Vegas were auctioned off.
• A 1910 law made it illegal to gamble in Las Vegas. The Nevada Legislature later approved a legalized gambling bill in 1931.
• The first hotel and casino to open in Las Vegas was the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino in 1906.
• The Hoover Dam was completed in 1935. It took a total of 21,000 men five years to complete the structure.
• The Moulin Rouge, the city’s first racially integrated hotel, opened in 1955.
• In 1957, topless showgirls debuted on the Las Vegas Strip in “Minsky’s Follies” at the Dunes.
• The famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign was created in 1959 by Betty Willis.
• In 2004, more than 37 million people visited Las Vegas. Compare this to 1970 when a mere 6.7 million people visited the city.
• More than 22,000 conventions were held in Las Vegas in 2004.
• In 2004, visitors stayed an average of 3.6 nights.
• More than 5,000 people move into the Las Vegas valley on a monthly basis.
• Las Vegas is home to Clark County School District, the fifth largest school district, which currently handles more than 280,000 students.
• The famous Las Vegas strip is for the most part, not within the city limits of Las Vegas. The majority of the strip is located within Clark County.
• The Stratosphere Hotel and Tower, at more than 1,100 feet, is the tallest building west of the Mississippi and the fifth tallest building in the United States.
• A marriage license costs $55 in Nevada. Many couples choose to marry in Nevada because there is no blood test or waiting period.
• Fremont Street was closed to traffic in 1994. The Fremont Street Experience opened in December 1995.

Back to Book 5

1. Christine F. – Las Vegas, NV
2. Unknown boy 1
3. Unknown boy 2
• Go to information about Las Vegas, NV
4. Danielle B. – Placentia, CA