Long Beach History

Long Beach history dates back to the 1500s when it was inhabited by Native Americans, and the land was coined the “Bay of the Smokes” by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo observed the native peoples’ ancient communication method of sending smoke signals at the hilltop we now call Signal Hill. In the late 1700s, the now Spanish-owned land was rewarded to two Spanish soldiers who divided the land to become Rancho Los Cerritos and Rancho Los Alamitos.

The Willmore City Drake Park historic district sits on land that was first developed in the late 19th century by pioneer William E. Willmore. It was a subdivision of Rancho Los Cerritos, that contained the site of the original township of Willmore City. Soon after, the growing population voted to incorporate the city and renamed it to the City of Long Beach. Drake Park was named after Colonel Charles Rivers Drake who developed the Pike amusement complex and the Knoll Park housing development.

Knowing the vast history of the area, Willmore City Drake Park was designated a historic district by the city of Long Beach in the 1970s. It was also designated by the state of California as a certified historic district and has specialty zoning, which encouraged the relocation of historic homes into the historic district. Willmore City Drake Park is home to the gorgeous Bembridge House and various other architectural homes, which consist of folk and Queen Anne victorians, period revival, and craftsman architecture. All of these homes now enjoy the protection and zoning ordinance of a historic designation.