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1200
Land was Home to the Tongva
The Tongva, which were in some texts called the Kucamongan People, inhabited the land that is now known as Rancho Cucamonga. -
Area was Explored by Spaniards
Spanish expedition led by Captian Gaspar de Portolá. The expedition was supervised by Father Junipera Serra. The exploration was in an effort to colonize Baja California. -
Spain's Control Diminished
As Mexico won it's dependence from Spain in 1833 , Spain's control diminished. All of the land in Baja California was now able to be granted to people by Mexico's new Governor. -
Land Grant Given to Tiburcio Tapia
Tiburcio Tapia was a well known soldier, politician and smuggler. He was granted 13,000 acres. Tapia used indigenous labor to construct an adobe home on Red Hill. Tapia used part of the land as a vineyard and started the Thomas Winery. (Known as the oldest winery in the State of California) -
American Forces enter California
American Soldiers came to California in 1846. The state was annexed in 1848 and soon after became a state -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
After the war between Mexico and the U.S. the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was formed. This treaty more-so affected the Ranchos in Northern California. The end of the ranchos came later in the south than in the north, because the lack of gold and water made southern California land less interesting to American miners and farmers.
The weather in southern California brought the crushing blows to the Spanish Dons. -
Goldrush in Northern California
Gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The news of gold brought about 300,000 people to California from the rest of the United States and abroad. -
California becomes Part of the United States
California was annexed in 1848 and became part of the United States in 1850 -
John Rains Purchases the Rancho de Cucamonga
John Rains purchased the Rancho de Cucamonga from Tiburcio Tapia's daughter in 1858 with his wife Maria Merced Williams -
John Rains House Built
John Rains historic Brick House was built. The brick had to be imported from other locations in order to build the house -
Abraham Lincoln Becomes President
Abraham Lincoln is sworn in as president of the United States. Hannibal Hamlin becomes Vice President. -
Beginning of Civil War
The result of a long-standing controversy over slavery, war broke out in April 1861 -
John Rains Murdered
John Rains was headed to Los Angeles when he was lassoed, shot, and dragged into the bushes near San Dimas. His body was discovered eleven days later. He was 33 years old. His murder was never solved. -
Homestead Act of 1862
This legislative action was created to promote the settlement and development of the Western United States. The U.S. government passed the Homestead Act to encourage western migration. -
First Post Office In the western portion of San Bernardino County
President Abraham Lincoln signs off on a post office located at Red Hill in 1864 -
End of Civil War
End of the civil war in the East. Interesting connection that President Lincoln signed off on a post office in the West while the civil war was still very active. -
1st Transcontinental Railroad Completed
In 1869 the first transcontinental railroad was completed making transportation to the West even easier. -
Rancho goes into Foreclosure
After John Rains' death and Maria Merced's departure, the Rancho went into foreclosure. The land was sold to Isaias Hellman along with some San Francisco businessmen who later formed the Cucamonga Company. -
Etiwanda land bought by the Chaffeys
The land of Etiwanda was bought by William and George Chaffey.
Chaffey also harnessed hydro-electric power and on December 4, 1882. The first electric light glowed from Etiwanda. -
California Central Railway
California Central Railway provided a line to the area of Rancho Cucamonga -
Etiwanda's Development
By the year 1913 the community of Etiwanda, first developed by William and George Chaffey, boasted of paved streets, streetlights, and rock curbs. At this point in time, it was a big accomplishment for a small town to have such things. -
Period: to
The Great Depression
The Great Depression had a very large impact on the entire country as almost all people, except for those extremely wealthy, were suffering. -
U.S. Enters World War II
December 7, 1941 The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States entered into World War II. World War II ended in 1945. -
Tri-Community Incorporation Committee
The Tri-Community Incorporation Committee was created in 1975 to propose the formation of a new city due to the rising concern about the future. -
3 Communities become what is now Rancho Cucamonga
The three communities of Cucamonga, Alta Loma, and Etiwanda voted to incorporate as Rancho Cucamonga.
