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 Tustin, often referred to as "The City of the Trees", has a it´s own distinctive quality. Its dependable water supply provided by natural artesian wells, caused a variety of trees and plant life to grow in the area, attracting ranch grants to early settlers. a Northern California carriage maker named Columbus Tustin and his business partner Nelson Stafford, purchased 1,300 acres for the price of one dollar and fifty cents per acre. Columbus attempted to create his very own "Tustin City," but home site sales were slow, and in the early 1870´s he ended up giving free lots of land to anyone who was willing to build a home on them.
In 1877, "Tustin City" lost out on a bid to be the location of the Southern terminus of the Southern Pacific Railroad to Santa Ana. Columbus Tustin died a bitterly disappointed man in 1883. Never the less, with its abundance of water, the community gradually became established as an agricultural center. By the turn of the 20th century, groves of apricots and walnuts were replaced by the more profitable Valencia oranges.
In 1927, the population of "Tustin City", which was just over 900 residents voted to incorporate. Thinking that a city with such beautiful scenery needed a like minded name, they dropped the word "city" from its title and thus "Tustin" was added to Orange County.
During World War II, three military bases were established in nearby bean fields and unincorporated areas in proximity to Tustin: the Santa Ana Army Air Base, the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, and the navy's Lighter-Than-Air Base (where the huge hangers housed coast-patrolling blimps).
Today, most of the orchards are gone, as Tustin has become more of an urban area. However, signs of the City's proud history can still be found. Historic buildings, some dating back to the early 1880´s, are preserved in "Old Town" near Main Street and El Camino Real. All around the city there remains a varied assortment of eucalyptus, pepper, palm, pine and oak trees. Just as it began, Tustin continues to hold its place as Orange County´s "City of Trees".
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