The history of Irvine CA is shaped by a number of factors, including its geographic location, the nature of the city's development, and its history as a farm town. Before the Second World War, the area was mainly made up of ranchland and orchards. Some of its beaches and northeast hills were dotted with oil fields, and the city's interurban train lines tied it to the greater region. After World War II, the city grew rapidly. This period saw the sale of farms and businesses to developers. Development spread into the surrounding area.
The architectural history of Irvine is of particular interest. This history has been overlooked because of its location. Before master-planned communities became popular in the 1960s, research on the type was conducted at East Coast academic centers. This made the concept of master-planned communities easier to understand than the actual physical reality of the concept. As a result, the architectural history of Irvine has often been misinterpreted as merely a set of theoretical principles.
Prehistoric man was the first to settle the area. These sites are still visible in undeveloped areas of Irvine. Two thousand years ago, the Gabrielino Indians arrived in the area and founded dozens of villages. They belonged to the Shoshonean language family and were skilled basket weavers and stone, jewelry makers.
Pereira had imagined the creation of a city on 10,000 acres on a site surrounded by hills. Pereira also wanted to establish a university in the city. The city would include a mix of housing types, an urban center, and separate industrial and commercial areas. He also wanted the city to have green belts and wetlands.
Irvine's growth also had an impact on the evolution of American architecture, and urban planning. Irvine was able to see the future, unlike other cities that were raised in the middle of nowhere. Its pioneers were guided by American Modernism, which aimed to make good design more accessible to everyone.
Irvine was established in the 1960s and has many developments. The Irvine Company is also a resident of Irvine. The Irvine Company also purchased a building in San Diego called La Jolla Gateway. The Irvine Company still owns several office buildings in the area. In addition, the Irvine Company donates 2,791 acres to the State of California. This land becomes Crystal Cove State Park, a three-and-a-half-mile-long park that protects the coastal foothills and its priceless wildlife. Donald Bren purchased the Irvine Company from The Irvine Foundation in 1983. He became the sole owner of the company in 1996.
In addition to its location, the Irvine Company donates nearly 21,000 acres of open space near Orange Lake and Anaheim Hills. These gifts create a huge habitat area, supporting a variety of rare species and ecosystems. Irvine is also home to the Irvine Spectrum Center, which attracts 17 million visitors annually.