Before Cypress

Long before incorporation, Cypress was open land shaped by natural water sources and grasslands. Native American communities, including the Gabrielino people, lived off the land for generations.

By the late 1700s, Spanish explorers arrived, and the area became part of large ranchos centered on cattle and trade.

From Farmland to Community

By the late 1800s, the land shifted from ranching to agriculture. Cypress’ sandy soil proved especially well-suited for crops like white and sweet potatoes, along with sugar beets and sorghum, helping to establish a small but growing farming community.

For many years, the Cypress area was synonymous with sorghum, which became one of the region’s most recognizable crops.

How Cypress Got Its Name

In 1895, the Cypress School District was formed, marking one of the earliest steps in the area’s development as a community. That first school began as a modest one-room building, with a small group of students ranging in age from 6 to 19 taught by a single teacher.

To help block strong winds, rows of cypress trees were planted around the schoolyard—an enduring feature that ultimately inspired the area’s name.

When the Pacific Electric Railway arrived in 1906, the station adopted the name “Cypress.”

The “Moo Valley” Era

In 1910, local farmer George Miller formed the Southern California Dairy Association, helping to establish dairies as a major industry in the area. By the 1940s, dairy farming had become the community’s leading industry, and the area earned the nickname “Moo Valley.”

By the mid-1900s, Cypress had become one of the largest dairy areas in the country.

In the early 1950s, surrounding areas began to incorporate and expand, marking a gradual transition from a primarily agricultural community to a more residential one.

Incorporation

Cypress was officially incorporated as Dairy City on July 24, 1956, reflecting its strong agricultural roots. On Aug. 6, 1957, residents voted in a straw ballot to rename the City “Cypress.” The ballot result was 208 votes in favor and 41 against the change.

In the years that followed, farmland gave way to neighborhoods, schools and community spaces, including Cypress College in 1966 and the Civic Center in 1967.

A Growing Community

Following incorporation and early development, the City of Cypress has continued to evolve into a well-planned community. Investments in parks and public facilities—along with new businesses and infrastructure improvements—have supported the City’s growth while preserving its strong sense of community.

Today, Cypress is home to a diverse community of approximately 50,000 residents.