PERALTA AREA HOMES, Anaheim Hills
HISTORY OF THE PERALTA HILLS AREA, Anaheim Hills
The mild climate and bountiful land along Wawona (Santa Ana River) attracted the area’s first occupants about 9,000 years ago. Later called the Gabrielinos, because of the jurisdiction of the San Gabriel Mission, they enjoyed a relatively carefree lifestyle that included hunting and gathering. The village of Hutukna was situated north of the river and just east of Imperial Highway. Learn More.
In 1810, after receiving the first Spanish land grant in Orange County with his uncle Jose Yorba, Juan Pablo Peralta settled south of the river, operating a very successful cattle ranch through the gold rush era. Severe drought forced the breakup of ranchos in the 1860’s, with Peralta’s ranch being partitioned among heirs and creditors.
Peralta Grave at Yorba Cemetery
Having been established as a wine colony by fifty German families, the population of Anaheim was exploding after World War II. Servicemen who had been stationed in Orange County liked what they saw here and many stayed. Then came Disneyland. Anaheim began annexing land farther east, including parts of the Peralta community.
Skillful Gabrielino Basket
These beautiful rolling hills soon became grazing land again as well as home to orchards of avocados and oranges. The once dusty trail, Riverside Road (Santa Ana Canyon Road), finally paved in 1917, was the only connecting road between Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties.
Anaheim Farmland with Peralta Hills in the Background. 1920's.
Peralta School is closed in 1940.
In 1971, the modern history of Anaheim Hills began with the purchase of the Nohl Ranch property. It has been transformed into an affluent master-planned community, while preserving the pastoral ambiance with landscaping, nature trails, and natural settings
Horse Trail off Avenida Margarita
