History

Spanish aristocrat and former soldier, Don Antonio Maria Lugo settled on 30,000 acres of land that encompasses what is now the City of Bell. In 1838, the King of Spain formally granted the land to Lugo and the acreage became known as Rancho San Antonio. By 1865, the Lugo family fortune dwindled and most of the Rancho was sold for less than a dollar per acre. Between 1870 and 1890 settlers arrived to the area and among those was the city's founder, James George Bell. He acquired approximately 360 acres of land and helped in its development as a small farming and cattle community.

In 1876 James George Bell, his wife Susan Abia Hollenbeck Bell, and their two children, Maude Elizabeth and Alphonzo Sr. moved from Los Angeles where they lived for a short period with Susan's brother, John Hollenbeck, into their Victorian style home the Bell House, now a historic landmark located at 4401 East Gage Avenue.

The City of Bell was incorporated on November 7, 1927. Since its incorporation, the City is now home to many businesses, small industries, schools, churches and community organizations. Local government provides valuable services to all residents.