The name Yorba Linda is made up of two parts: Yorba, after Don Bernardo Yorba, a Californio ranchero who historically owned the area, and linda, Spanish for beautiful. The name was created in 1908 by the Janss Investment Company.[6][7]
History
Indigenous
The area is the home of the Tongva, Luiseño, and Juaneño tribal nations, who were there "as early as 4,000 years ago."[8] The Tongva defined their world as Tovaangar, a nation which "extended from Palos Verdes to San Bernardino, from Saddleback Mountain to the San Fernando Valley" and included the entire territory of present-day Yorba Linda. Spanish colonization between 1769 and 1840 brought "disease, invasive species, and livestock" into the area, which "upended the ecological balance of the region and forced the Tongva to resettle around three missions."[9] The village of Hutuknga was located in the area of Yorba Linda.[10][11]
Early years
Yorba Linda is named after Don Bernardo Yorba, noted Californio figure in early 19th century California.
In 1810, the Spanish crown granted José Antonio Yorba 63,414 acres of land, which "spread across much of modern-day Orange County." In 1834, following Mexico's independence from Spain, Yorba's most successful son, Bernardo Yorba (after whom the city would later be named), was granted the 13,328-acre (53.94 km2) Rancho Cañón de Santa Ana by Mexican governor José Figueroa. Most of this original land was retained after the Mexican–American War in 1848 by descendants of the Yorba family. A portion of the city's land is still owned and developed by descendants of Samuel Kraemer, who acquired it through his marriage to Angelina Yorba, the great-granddaughter of Bernardo Yorba. The site of the Bernardo Yorba Hacienda, referred to as the Don Bernardo Yorba Ranch House Site, is listed as a California Historical Landmark.[12]
Near that same site sits the second oldest private cemetery in the county, the historic Yorba Cemetery.[13] The land was given to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles by Bernardo Yorba[13] in 1858[14] since Orange County was not established out of Los Angeles County as a separate county until 1889.[15] The cemetery closed in 1939 and was subsequently vandalized; however, in the 1960s, the Orange County Board of Supervisors took possession of the property to repair the damage, and tours are now available one day per month.[13]
Agricultural era
Yorba Linda School, built 1913. Photo circa 1918.
A section of the land was sold in 1907 by the Yorba family to Fullerton businessman Jacob Stern, who used the land for barley fields and sheep grazing. Stern subsequently sold the tract to the Janss Investment Company, which first called the area Yorba Linda,[6] and proceeded to subdivide the land and sell it for agriculture and manufacturing. In 1910, the agricultural aspect of that endeavor materialized, and the first of many lemon and orangegroves were planted: at the time, the population was still less than 50.[14] A year later, The Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company began serving Yorba Linda, and the first school was constructed.[14]
In 1912, several things happened in Yorba Linda: it received its first post office; the Yorba Linda Citrus Association was founded; the Southern California Edison Company began providing electricity; and the first church was constructed.[14] The area that would later become downtown was also connected to Los Angeles by the Pacific Electric Railway in 1912, primarily for citrus transport.[6]
In 1913, Richard Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, the chamber of commerce was set up, a library opened as part of the school, and avocado trees were first planted.[14] A year later, a separate district was established for the library system.[14]
In 1915, the Susanna Bixby Bryant Ranch house was constructed.[14] It is a museum that is open to the public.[16]
In 1917, the first street was paved, Yorba Linda Boulevard.[14] The Yorba Linda Star began publication also.[17] It has since become an online section of the OC Register.[18] A printed version of the Star is available at various city buildings free of charge and is delivered to every household in Yorba Linda each Thursday. Past articles are on microfilm at the Yorba Linda Public Library.[17]
The population exceeded 300 for the first time prior to 1920.[14] In 1929, the citrus association's packing house burned down, as it was made of wood.[14] It reopened the next year.[14] During this period, the eastern two-thirds of Yorba Linda (east of the Yorba Linda Country Club) remained part of cattle and agricultural ranches controlled by pioneer families such as the Yorba, de los Reyes, Kraemer, Travis, Dominguez, Friend, and Bryant ranches.
From 1943 to 1958, "approximately seventy thousand braceros were transported to Orange County," used by employers to service citrus crops. Braceros lived in temporary housing projects referred to as "camps," which were policed by local deputies throughout the county.[19] The townspeople of Yorba Linda "refused to allow the housing of braceros in their city, forcing the nearby town of Placentia to board them within the segregated Mexican colonia."[20]
Population growth
The Sunkist citrus packing house (later a 24 Hour Fitness gym) located on Yorba Linda Blvd in 1961. Soon after this photo was taken, Yorba Linda would transform from a rural community into a suburban one.
The small town had grown significantly by the 1960s, with more than 1,000 residents by the 1960 Census. Three annexation attempts were made by adjoining cities: Brea in 1958 and Anaheim and Placentia in 1963.[14] These experiences culminated in incorporation, which occurred in 1967.[6]
This housing development shown near Esperanza Road and Fairlynn Boulevard in 1966 shows how Yorba Linda dramatically grew in the 1960s. The city's population increased from 1,198 people in 1960 to 11,856 just a decade later.
The new city implemented a municipal general plan in 1972.[14] By the 1980 Census, the population was nearing 30,000.[14] Within ten years it exceeded 50,000.[14]
In November 2008, eastern Yorba Linda suffered from fires that destroyed 113 homes and damaged 50 others. The destruction was due largely to erratic winds causing embers to fly up to half a mile away.
On February 3, 2019, at approximately 1:45 pm, a twin engine 1981 Cessna (N414RS) on route from Fullerton Municipal Airport to Nevada crashed from roughly 7,500 ft into a single family residence in the 19700 block of Crestknoll Drive near Glenknoll Elementary School. The pilot (75-year-old Antonio Pastini) and four individuals in the residence were killed.[25]
In October of the heightened 2020 California wildfires, fires destroyed 1 home and damaged 10 others in the Yorba Linda area. Initially a brush fire, the Blue Ridge Fire quickly spread to 13,964 acres before being doused on November 11, 2020.[26][27]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.0 square miles (52 km2). 19.5 square miles (51 km2) of which is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (2.67%), water.
It has two ZIP codes, 92886 and 92887, covering approximately the western and eastern portions of the city, respectively. A third, 92885, exists exclusively for PO Boxes.[28] The city is served by area codes 657 and 714 in a geographical overlay situation, in which 714 numbers were running out, so that 657 numbers are now also being issued in the same area. Eleven-digit dialing is therefore now required for local calls.
The city receives 14 inches (360 mm) to 15 inches (380 mm) of rain per year on average.[30] The average temperatures in January and July are 55 °F (13 °C) and 71 °F (22 °C), respectively, with the overall average for the year at 63 °F (17 °C).[30]Humidity, likewise respectively, is 52%, 60%, and 56% on average.[30] Yorba Linda is in a Mediterranean climate (Csa).[31]
The Census reported that 64,044 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 97 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 93 (0.1%) were institutionalized.
There were 21,576 households, out of which 8,535 (39.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 15,102 (70.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,844 (8.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 758 (3.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 554 (2.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 101 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 3,119 households (14.5%) were made up of individuals, and 1,515 (7.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97. There were 17,704 families (82.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.29.
There were 15,792 residents (24.6%) under the age of 18, 5,574 (8.7%) aged 18 to 24, 13,848 (21.6%) aged 25 to 44, 21,414 (33.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 7,606 (11.8%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
There were 22,305 housing units at an average density of 1,114.2 per square mile (430.2/km2), of which 18,108 (83.9%) were owner-occupied, and 3,468 (16.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.0%. 54,464 people (84.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 9,580 people (14.9%) lived in rental housing units.
During 2009–2013, Yorba Linda had a median household income of $112,259, with 3.1% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[35]
2000
As of the 2000 Census,[36] there were 58,918 people, 19,252 households, and 16,094 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,042.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,174.6/km2). There were 19,567 housing units at an average density of 1,010.4 per square mile (390.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.5% White, 1.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 11.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 10.3% of the population.[37]
There were 19,252 households, out of which 44.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.3% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the city, 29.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.3% was from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median household income in the city was $109,681, and the median income for a family was $122,373.[38] Males had a median income of $66,712 versus $41,820 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,173. 0% of the population were below the poverty line.
Transportation
Yorba Linda has several major highways and roads that are important through the city. Imperial Highway (SR 90), Bastanchury Road, Esparanza Road, La Palma Avenue, and Yorba Linda Boulevard are west–east streets. North–south streets include Rose Drive, Fairmont Boulevard, Lakeview Avenue, Gypsum Canyon Road, Kellogg Drive, Van Buren Street, Richfield Road, and Village Center Drive. SR 241 has its northern terminus at the southern tip of the city and SR 91 runs through the eastern tip of the city.
A Metrolink commuter rail station was rejected by its city council in 2004.[39]
Economy
The original sign, since replaced with one in a Spanish style
The primary commercial district in Yorba Linda is Savi Ranch.[40]
In 2016, construction began on the Yorba Linda Town Center, a 125,000-square-foot shopping and dining center on the corner of Yorba Linda Boulevard and Imperial Highway, featuring Bristol Farms as an anchor tenant. The shopping center opened in April 2019.[46][47]
There are over 1,000 businesses in the city, not including an additional 1,500 home-based businesses.[48] The city also owns Black Gold Golf Club.[49] Non-profit charities based in Yorba Linda include International Student Volunteers and STEMpowerment Inc.
Savi Ranch
Savi Ranch is an acronym of Santa Ana Valley Irrigation, an early water company.[50]
Savi Ranch today contains retailers, auto dealers, restaurants, hotels, and office buildings.[51]
Originally, the city pursued construction of an auto mall on the entire Savi Ranch site.[52] The original plan was rejected by residents in favor of a combination of retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and office buildings. As of 2018, one of the three original car lots has been converted into state-mandated low-income housing, one specializes in wheelchair accessible vehicles, and the remaining car dealer, specializes in high-end, exotic, and specialty used cars.
As a significant source of sales tax revenue to Yorba Linda and as one of the first anchor tenants (along with Best Buy),[53]The Home Depot became a political talking point in its own right,[54] due to the geography that divides Savi Ranch into two sections, the larger east side falling within Yorba Linda's city limits, and the west side where Home Depot is situated falling within the adjacent City of Anaheim boundaries. At the inception of Savi Ranch, the Home Depot was located in Savi Ranch East. In the early 2000s, however, the Super Kmart location in Savi Ranch West ceased operations and The Home Depot moved into the location it previously occupied, taking the sales tax revenue with it to Anaheim.[citation needed]
Also located in the Yorba Linda side of Savi Ranch is the headquarters of John Force Racing, housing operations & hosting displays of legendary 16-time NHRAFunny Car Champion John Force, his team of drivers, and their cars. An on-site museum is dedicated to Force's career.
Top employers
According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[55] the top employers in the city are:
Yorba Linda was, at one point in time, California's most conservative large community, as measured by the proportion of conservative to liberal voters.[56] Although Democrats have been making inroads in Orange County as a whole as well as the city itself, Yorba Linda is still one of the most consistently Republican cities in the county and state as a whole. Every GOP candidate for president since the city's incorporation in 1967 has received over 52% of the vote in the city. In 2016, the city gave Donald Trump 59 percent of the vote and a 24-point margin of victory, despite the fact that he became the first Republican presidential nominee to lose Orange County since Alf Landon in 1936. Yorba Linda was one of only five cities in Orange County to support Trump with a majority of its vote both in 2016 and 2020. However, in 2020 the Democratic nominee and eventual winner Joe Biden gained at least 40 percent of Yorba Linda's vote.[citation needed]
As of February 2020, the California Secretary of State reported that Yorba Linda had 43,989 registered voters; of those, 10,413 (23.67%) are registered Democrats, 22,025 (50.07%) are registered Republicans, and 9,604 (21.83%) have stated no political party preference.[57] The city voted for California Proposition 8 by 65.8% and for Proposition 4 by 59.3%, displaying a socially conservative bent.[58] Yorba Linda was one of just three California cities to pass a measure in their city council proclaiming its support for the Arizona immigration law, SB1070.[59]
Yorba Linda city vote by party in presidential elections [60]
The city council consists of five members that are elected by residents to four-year terms, with a three-term limit.[75] The council elects its own mayor at the end of every year, whose duties are largely ceremonial because the city employs a council-manager form of government and the city manager runs day-to-day operations.[76]
Yorba Linda has four commissions, which meet monthly or bimonthly, to advise the city council about their respective projects.[78]
The library commission operates the Yorba Linda Public Library, which has existed in some form since 1913, and is composed of five residents whose duties include selecting new materials for the library to acquire and establishing guidelines and regulations, among other things.[79]
The planning commission is in charge of matters pertaining to land use, zoning, annexation, right-of-ways, and construction of new buildings, among other things; however, its five members are appointed by the council.[80]
The traffic commission seeks to address issues of safety, flow, public complaints, parking, and others.[81] Members serve terms of two years.[81]
The parks and recreation commission is composed of council-appointed members as well and is tasked with a variety of responsibilities for all of the city's facilities and trails.[82]
From 1971 to 2013, police services were provided by the Brea Police Department. Beginning in 1971, this marked the first time in the state's history that a municipality, as opposed to a county sheriff's department, provided police services to another municipality.[87] Prior to this setup, but after the city's incorporation in 1967, Yorba Linda did contract with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, which was and still is typical for municipalities that are not large enough or simply choose not to maintain an in-house police department.
In 2012, the Yorba Linda City Council met with citizens and police chiefs from the Anaheim and Brea police departments, along with Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, to vote on a new public safety contract. The meeting lasted 9 hours, finally ending at 3:00am on Wednesday April 25. The verdict, Yorba Linda would end its contract with the Brea Police Department after 42 years of service by the Brea Police Department. The city signed a 5-year contract with the Orange County Sheriff's Department becoming effective May 2013.
The Yorba Linda Water District, headquartered in Placentia, serves nearly all residents.[88][89] Golden State Water, which also has a field office in Placentia, serves the remainder.[89][90]
Yorba Linda High School opened its doors in 2009. The first full graduating class from YLHS was the class of 2012. As of 2015, one private high school, Friends Christian High School, is currently under construction.[96] Historically, a majority of Yorba Linda students also attend Esperanza[97] in Anaheim, and Valencia, or El Dorado in Placentia, the other three high schools in the Placentia-Yorba Linda School District.[98] Students can take an assessment to be placed into the magnet Troy High School in nearby Fullerton which is part of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District.
The Yorba Linda Spotlight Theater Company is a nonprofit theater organization for children and teenagers that provides education and performance opportunities. The theater produces full-scale musical productions as well as offering classes in the performing arts.[99][100]
Library
The Yorba Linda Public Library is located at 4852 Lakeview Ave, Yorba Linda, CA 92886. The former library was built in 1960 and then expanded in size in 1970.[101] The library is two floors and features community rooms, study rooms, and a variety of special collections and multimedia services.
This new library, which also includes a Cultural Arts Center, opened three blocks from the former library in late 2020.[102]
Library services and collections
The Yorba Linda Public Library offers services and programs for all ages. For children, this includes family story time, infant story time, toddler story time, preschool story time, Bookbug Club (grades K-3), tween events (grades 4–8), and family events like Lego Mania.[103] For teens and adults, the library offers a variety of book clubs, classes, and special events.
The library has several special collections. The music lending collection offers musical instruments, vinyl records, and record players for check out. The seed lending library is a collaborative seed saving collection. The Healthy U collection offers board games, puzzles, day pack hike kits, sewing machines, and story time kits for check out. The library also has a 3D printer.[104]
Richard Nixon – 37th President of the United States. Richard Nixon was born in Yorba Linda in 1913 and lived there until 1922. His reconstructed home is listed as a National Historic Landmark and a California Historical Landmark. Adjacent to this home is the Richard Nixon Library and Museum.
Jessamyn West – second cousin to Richard Nixon on her mother's side of the family,[119] authored 1945 novel The Friendly Persuasion; a city park is named in her honor, Jessamyn West Park on Yorba Linda Boulevard
^"Timeline". yorba linda history. Retrieved July 24, 2020. 1908 The Janss Investment Company bought from Jacob Stern part of the land that made up the Rancho Cañon de Santa Ana. They named the area "Yorba Linda" and began selling it by the acre in 1909.
