ROOTED HERE
The history of Westminster
Westminster's Vietnamese American businesses, neighborhood markets and civic landmarks form one of the region's strongest local commercial districts.
People who shaped Westminster
These milestones are an introduction, not a complete local history. Follow the linked city and museum sources to explore the people and places behind them.Read the local historical account.
Watch the city’s history
FROM THE ARCHIVES
The history of Westminster, California
A local history film shared by World History Official tv.
Watch on YouTube ↗Famous people born in Westminster
See all 24 famous people
- 1870
A temperance colony
The Reverend Lemuel Webber founded Westminster as a Presbyterian temperance colony.
Westminster city reference ↗ - 1938
A severe flood
A major flood delayed Westminster's transition from farms to suburban neighborhoods.
Westminster city reference ↗ - 1947
Mendez v. Westminster
The federal Mendez ruling challenged the segregation of Mexican American students and helped end school segregation in California.
Westminster city reference ↗ - 1957
City incorporation
Westminster incorporated with a population of 10,755.
Westminster city reference ↗ - 1970s
Little Saigon takes root
Vietnamese refugees and immigrants established the community and businesses that grew into Little Saigon.
Westminster city reference ↗
See the history for yourself.
Walk Little Saigon along Bolsa Avenue, where Asian Garden Mall (Phước Lộc Thọ) opened in 1987. Check current opening hours before visiting the Westminster Museum at Blakey Historical Park.
For deeper research, the Westminster library resources is a starting point for archival material and research help. Historic photographs have their own permissions; we link to the collection instead of treating every old image as free to reuse.
Selected milestones researched September 13, 2026. This is an introduction, not a complete account of the city’s history.