Living History in Buena Park, California

Added: 02/24/2006

California is a state of history, and it is not surprising that many of its cities have played vital roles in many of the famous historic events that shaped the state as well as the nation itself. In Buena Park, California history is tangible and obvious at almost every turn. Take a guided tour through the decades as your embark on a visit to this location in beautiful, sunny Southern California.

It is a well-known fact that the state of California once upon a time belonged to the Spanish crown. As such, the Spanish king very cleverly used his power to make land grants a carrot with which he hinted at rewards for those loyal subjects who fought valiantly to defend his throne as well as his claims oversees. One famous land grant was made to a retired corporal of the Spanish army named Manuel Nieto, whose valor in battle had made him feared as well as famous. To the Spanish crown, this form of reward was favored since it did not actually cost anything, nor did it create any powerful alliances within the country of Spain that might jeopardize the power and fiscal supremacy of the crown. When the land grant made to Corporal Nieto was divided into ranchos in 1834, it turned out that there was enough land to create five such ranchos. The city of Buena Park, CA is located near the heart of one such rancho, the Rancho Los Coyotes.

For the modern visitor who is searching for the events of history, in Buena Park California history was made at almost every turn! The very Rancho Los Coyotes played a vital role in the Mexican War which began in 1846 and lasted until 1848. In 1847 the famous Commodore R. S. Stockton prepared for the well known battle of the San Gabriel River at this very rancho. If you wish to visit the actual site of Commodore Stockton?s camp, you will find it in the city of Buena Park, CA near the Los Coyotes Country Club.

In Buena Park, California also remembers its founder: the Chicago grocer James Whitaker. He came to this sunny state in 1885 in the hopes of starting a ranch that would become famous. Dreams of bleating cattle grazing on the gentle slopes that Rancho Los Coyotes was famous for, had enticed him to throw all caution to the wind and leave his prosperous business. Yet when he arrived in Buena Park, California officials and representatives from the Santa Fe Railroad persuaded him to let go of his dreams and instead use the land to found a new town. After some deliberation, Mr. Whitaker reluctantly agreed, and the year 1887 saw the birth of what we now know as the city of Buena Park.

If you lived in Buena Park, California would have meant cattle to you as well, and it is therefore no surprise that even though Mr. Whitaker never got his cattle ranch, his city did become famous for its dairy products and processing facilities. Furthermore, his close association with the Santa Fe railroad also encouraged the Southern Pacific railroad to approach this venue, and soon both had built several depots in this location that put the city on every map in the country.

Today in Buena Park, California residents and visitors alike enjoy the fruits of Mr. Whitaker's sacrifice and vision. Industry has sprung up around the location, and big entertainment enterprises, such as the famous Knott's Berry Farm, Knott's Soak City, as well as Ripley's "Believe It Or Not" museum are just a few of the sightseeing highlights that visitors will enjoy. The hospitality industry capitalizes on these magnets, and prosperity has come to Buena Park. Why not come for a visit and see for yourself? Modern attractions and historic monuments provide for a well-rounded visiting experience you cannot get anywhere else.

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