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History of Long Beach, California

Long Beach is home to magnificent beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. It is thought that this California area was once inhabited by the Shoshoni Indians. In 1784, the first white settler, Manuel Nieto, made his way along the California coast after receiving a land grant. He was the first white man who was recorded to have inhabited the land of Long Beach. The next group of settlers came to the area 100 years later. They were investors who had a vision for the area and named it Long Beach. It was a fitting name because the beach stretches for seven miles. Nearly 10 years later, in 1897, the town was incorporated as a city. Long Beach flourished as more people were attracted to the area. The city developed as a resort because of the amazing views from almost everywhere one goes, luring settlers from all over the country. To the good fortune of the people who settled the area for the view, oil was found in 1921. The deposits proved to be an excellent and extremely large source. Those rich oil deposits became the largest industry the city has ever seen. Long Beach is home to many educational institutions, including California State University - Long Beach, Long Beach City College, and numerous other local schools that have been in existence for many years. Long Beach also has some interesting places to visit, including the Long Beach Pacific Terrace, the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, Long Beach Museum of Art, the Long Beach Civic Center, and the Long Beach Museum of Art. Some of the more famous places to visit, while in the Long Beach area, include the retired ocean liner Queen Mary, docked in the city's harbor, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, an annual event; and the three 19th-century adobe ranch houses El Dorado Nature Center, Rancho Los Alamitos, and Rancho Los Cerritos.