Orange County Real Estate

The temperate climate, fertile soils, proximity to the beach, and abundance of artesian wells appealed to early settlers and current residents, the same as it did to the Native Americans who originally inhabited the area. Today the City of Cypress is an even more desirable place to live, work, locate a business, and raise a family. In addition to the natural attractions that brought the natives and early settlers, the city now offers luxurious resorts, theme parks, arts, recreation, shopping, dinning, renowned schools and some of the most affordable housing in Orange County. Nearby hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, road biking, mountain biking, horseback riding, climbing, picnicking, and camping is available nearly year round.

History of the City of Cypress

The first Californians were Native Americans of the Tongva tribe, later renamed Gabrielinos around 1700 by the Spanish Padres. The land inhabited by the Tongva was spliced by three rivers and enjoyed an annual precipitation level that was up to 10 inches more than it is now, and considered the best in the region. The tribe was nourished by the many kinds of sea life such as tuna, swordfish, sharks, shellfish, sea mammals, sea birds, and mussel from the sea as well as the abundance of grasses, herbs, roots, berries, nuts and small animals. 

Their small villages, or rancherias, were comprised of cylindrical shaped dwellings constructed with poles and covered with thatched grass or bundles of tule reeds. The minimal summertime clothing of that time is mimicked by Southern Californians of toady. Women wore short shirts or a type of apron with the men and children often wearing no clothing or only a breach cloth. Men and women had piercing in their earlobes with women wearing elaborate earrings made from feathers and shells while the men attached cane tubes to their piercing in which they carried tobacco. Both sexes also embellished themselves with facial and body tattoos and necklaces of flowers, beads, and shell or stones. Following the arrival of Gaspar de Portola’s expedition into California in July of 1769 the Native American way of life was changed forever.

As was customary during this time of exploration, the Spanish King gave permission to his appointed governor to grant land in lieu of pay to those who served in some capacity. This is how Manuel Nieto, a military officer, came to own a 300,000 acre land cession in 1784, which included the area now known as the City of Cypress. After Nieto’s death his four sons petitioned the governor to divide the estate between the heirs. Juan Jose Nieto received a vast holding that included the Cypress area. The land was subsequently subdivided and sold to various individuals, but ultimately ended up in the holdings of Able Stearns who would become the wealthiest and largest Southern California landowner.

The novel idea of a land trust selling subdivided property to individuals for farming was pioneered by Stearns through the Robinson Trust and was met with great success. Completion of the transcontinental railroads brought a steady stream of people and ensured continuous development. With the breakup of the ranchos, the area soon found itself transformed from rangeland to an agricultural economy. 

With development of irrigation during the 1880’s citrus growing became more feasible, as well as the farming of white and sweet potatoes, sugar beets and sorghum. The tops of the sugar beets turned out to be excellent food for dairy cattle and aided the growth of dairy farming. The little city, named Waterville for the abundance of its artesian wells, was renamed Dairy City upon its incorporation for the large quantity of milk that was shipped via rail to Los Angeles.

With the growth of the town came the need for a school. A one-room schoolhouse was built and planted with cypress trees as a windbreak. In 1956 residents voted to change the name of the city to Cypress after the trees that encircled the old school.

Dairying was at its peak in the 1950’s, following World War II, with Cypress known as the third largest dairy district in the United States. Dairy City (Cypress), Dairyland (La Palma) and Dairy Valley (Cerritos) were known collectively as Moo Valley. The popularity of the area as a place to live led farmers to sell the land to speculators who developed housing for the hordes of people flocking to Southern California for their place in the sun. Today virtually all of Cypress is developed with a balance of residential, commercial, and industrial development.

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