La Palma

La Palma, the smallest city in Orange County in terms of land size at 1.7 square miles, evolved out of the Los Coyotes land grant, which later was carved into ranchos, then family farms. Pioneer farmers in the early 20th century diversified, working in creameries and the sugar beet and oil industries. Post-World War II suburbia expanded eastward, influencing the dairymen to incorporate in 1955 as the city of Dairyland to save their rural lifestyle--a trendsetting notion that received national attention. The school districts vigorously acquired land by eminent domain so that tiny La Palma contains five districts within its boundaries. Unable to halt tract building, the dairy farmers continued their bold, forward-thinking initiatives for the renamed ''La Palma'' in 1965 by creating a master plan that included the first underground utilities in the county.