After searching California for a suitable place to grow grapes, the city founders decided to purchase 1,165 acres in present-day Orange County for $2 per acre. Despite the fact that they were mostly mechanics, carpenters and craftsmen with no experience in wine-making, Anaheim quickly became the largest wine producer in California--a title that it held for 25 years, until 1884 when a disease infected the grape vines and the entire industry was destroyed.

Anaheim was founded in 1857 by 50 German families, and the city's name is a blend of Ana, after the nearby Santa Ana River, and the German word -heim meaning "home".

With his ant-like antennae, Mickey Mouse-ish nose, and body in the shape of the Anaheim "A," Andy Anaheim has been the city's official mascot since 1953. A gift from Walt Disney himself, the quirky little character has come to represent Anaheim's optimism and happiness.

On the evening of January 7, 1945, Anaheim residents sat down to listen to the nation's favorite radio entertainer, Mr. Sunday Night himself, Jack Benny. In this particular episode, a railroad conductor (played by Mel Blanc) announced to Jack's entourage: "Train leaving on Track 5 for Anaheim, Azusa and Cuc----amonga!" The bit was so popular that it was repeated on Jack's radio show for years, and again when Jack came to television in the early 1950's. In fact, it brought Anaheim so much attention that the local Chamber of Commerce named Jack Honorary Mayor.

Incredicoaster opened to the public as California Screamin' on February 8, 2001. It is the only roller coaster at the Disneyland Resort with an inversion, and is the fastest at the park with a top speed of 55 miles per hour (89 km/h).

In 1966, the city's explosive growth attracted a Major League Baseball team, with the California Angels relocating from Los Angeles to Anaheim, where they have remained ever since.

When Rudolph Boysen first moved to Orange County, he brought berry vines with him which he planted on his in-law's farm in Anaheim. In 1923, his hybrid grafted successfully and grew to bear fruit. However, Boysen abandoned his crop after breaking his back in an accident. Years later, a fellow grower named Walter Knott heard about the berry and tracked down Boysen, who still had a few frail vines surviving in a field choked with weeds. Knott transplanted the vines to his farm in Buena Park, California, where he nurtured them back to fruit-bearing health and named them "boysenberries" after their originator.

In 1945, Carl and Margaret Karcher moved to Anaheim, California, and opened Carl's Drive-In Barbecue at 1108 N. Palm St. (now Harbor). The restaurant was so successful that in 1956, the Karchers expanded, opening the first Carl's Jr.--so named because it was a smaller version of Carl's Drive-In Barbecue.

The Happiest Place on Earth has long been rumored to be one of the spookiest places in all of Orange County. The ghost of Walt Disney himself is believed to roam the grounds of his beloved Magic Kingdom. The spirit of a woman who perished on the Matterhorn purportedly haunts the spot on the track where she met her untimely demise. And it should come as no surprise that several dreary accounts originate from the Haunted Mansion, including the specter of a young boy who weeps near the ride's exit, allegedly upset that his mom sprinkled his ashes on the ride against his will.

Helena Modjeska was a renowned Polish actress who specialized in Shakespearean and tragic roles. Helena Street and Modjeska Park are both named after her, and a statue of Modjeska is located outside the Pearson Park Amphitheater in Anaheim.