Maps and Timeline

Maps

Image of Original Nieto Land Grant

Original Nieto Land Grant

Image of 1844 - 1866 Map

1844 – 1866 Map

Image of 1866 - 1890 Map

1866 – 1890 Map

Image of 1890 - 1930 Map

1890 – 1930 Map

Image of 1930 - 1954 Map

1930 – 1954 Map

Timeline

Important Dates In The History Of Rancho Los Cerritos

Please use your mouse or finger to slide the timeline to the right to see the evolution of Rancho Los Cerritos.

  • 2000-3000 BC

    Native Americans live on lands that become Rancho Los Cerritos. Little is known about these peoples, however, eleven cogged stones from this period were discovered at Rancho Los Cerritos in 1930.

  • 500-1769

    Tongva people (Gabrielino Indians) live on lands later known as Rancho Los Cerritos; village of Tibahangna said to be north of present ranch house.

  • 1784-1790

    Spanish soldier Manuel Nieto receives land encompassing about 300,000 acres; this is reduced to 167,000 acres

  • 1834

    Nieto’s land is formally divided into smaller ranchos. Daughter Manuela de Cota receives the 27,000-acre portion known as Rancho Los Cerritos

  • 1843

    John Temple purchases Rancho Los Cerritos from the Cota family in December 1843 for $3,000

  • 1844

    John Temple builds the present two-story Monterey-style adobe as headquarters for his cattle-ranching operations, and stocks the land with as many as 15,000 head of cattle

  • 1853

    Benjamin and Thomas Flint, and Lewellyn Bixby, form Flint, Bixby & Co. and bring sheep to California

  • 1866

    John Temple sells Rancho Los Cerritos to Flint, Bixby & Co.

  • 1881

    Jotham Bixby provides lease with option to buy of 4000 acres to William Willmore for the founding of a town, Willmore City, and agricultural community

  • 1884

    William Willmore is unsuccessful in promoting his town, but the Long Beach Land and Water Company purchases his option and renames the town Long Beach

  • 1887

    Long Beach is incorporated

  • 1930-1931

    Rancho Los Cerritos is remodeled by Llewellyn Bixby, Sr. for a family residence

  • 1955

    Rancho Los Cerritos is acquired by the City of Long Beach and opened to the public as a museum

  • 1970

    Rancho Los Cerritos is placed on the National Register of Historic Properties and is also designated a National Historic Landmark

  • 1979

    Rancho Los Cerritos is designated a City of Long Beach Historical Landmark

  • 1988

    Rancho Los Cerritos is designated State Historic Landmark No. 978