Anaheim is known as Southern Californias very first planned community. "Ana" coming from the Santa Ana River and "heim," the German word for home, Anaheim began with humble beginnings. The city was founded in 1857 covering 1165 acres of housing and vineyards. In almost 150 years, Anaheim has grown to almost 50 square miles, ever expanding to include the unofficial area known as Anaheim Hills.
After the opening of Disneyland in 1955, Anaheim's inexpensive land, affordable housing and unheard of interest rates created a boost of popularity unlike any seen in Southern California at that time. With population going from 14,556 in 1952 to over 105,000 by the early 1960's,  the area attracted big business and helpful corporate attention, putting the once humble city on the map.
What is now known as "Anaheim Hills", was once a portion of a 210,000-acre plot of land in the Santa Ana Canyon area that was used for raising cattle, sheep, oxen and mules and also included vast orchards and vineyards. What was then "Nohl Ranch" was converted into a serena area that created immediate cash value for future home sites.
Finally, in 1970, 4,200 acres Nohl Ranch was deeded to Santa Anita Consolidated, Inc., to create a newly planned community called Anaheim Hills. The first neighborhood created, "Westridge" enticed a mich higher demand than anticipated, selling out all 325 homes within 2 years.
Anaheim Hills has a wide variety of recreational conveniences including a parks, tennis clubs, horseback riding, and hiking trails, As well as conveniently located shopping centers. It's estimated that planned developments for the area will increase the population of Anaheim Hills to over 100,000 by 2008. Amazing considering that Anaheim hills is not even it's own official city!
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