While we became an official Town when residents voted for incorporation in 1988, our history goes back much further. Local historians have found signs of Serrano Indian camps along the Mojave River in Apple Valley. They were already here when Father Francisco Garces arrived in 1776, as he established the Spanish missions throughout California. In the late 1800s, the Paiute Indians also migrated to this area. The Mojave River Trail hosted trappers, gold prospectors, pack mules and Mormon wagon trains—over 13,000 people passed through here between 1849 and 1859. It was in 1860 that the first cabin was built in Apple Valley by Silas Cox, and the first road was cut the following year.

There are many stories as to how Apple Valley acquired its name. According to the late Mary Hampton, local historian, the name arose from the abundance of apple orchards that existed here in the 1920s. Some say the name “Apple Valley” originated from The Appleton Land Company that was based in this area in the early 1900s. Ursula Poates, one of the first settlers in the area, is credited with saying, “There were some apples being raised along the river in those early days, but not by the ton, so I just cut it down and called it Apple Valley!” By 1920, apples were being grown by the ton at award-winning orchards. Unfortunately, with the Great Depression and the cost of pumping water for irrigation, the orchards died off in the 1930s.

With a pleasant climate and lots of land, many types of ranches were built in the area. They touted the dry desert air as a cure for ailments of all sorts, including tuberculosis and asthma. Other ranches provided a haven for shell-shock victims of World War I, while still others developed into guest ranches.  People would come to Apple Valley to enjoy the western lifestyle where they could ride horses, attend rodeos, and just get away from the big city.

The modern founders of Apple Valley were Newton T. Bass and B.J. “Bud” Westlund, who were partners in the oil and gas industry in Long Beach, CA. Westlund and Bass formed the Apple Valley Ranchos Land Co. in 1946 and marketed the area as a destination resort and quality residential community - "The Golden Land of Apple Valley".  They built the Apple Valley Inn and Hilltop House and invited famous celebrities of Hollywood to come visit. Within ten years there were banks, churches, and a school, along with a golf course, hospital and 180 businesses.

 We encourage you to click on the links below to find out more about Apple Valley, California.