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History of Lompoc
Discover the story of our town. Tracing history from the days when the Chumash lived here to the Lompoc we know today.
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As you explore the timeline of events listed below, you'll find each entry includes extra information and resources for optional expanded learning. Discover book recommendations, craft ideas, scheduled group field trips, suggestions for independent trips, informative videos, and relevant Lompoc Mural visit recommendations.
11,000BC - 1786
The Time of the Chumash
"Lompoc (pronounced Lom-poke) was originally settled by the Chumash Indians who recognized the majesty of this region and made it the heart of their society. Lompoc is a Chumash word which has had several interpretations over the years. "Where the Water Breaks Through" and "Land of Many Lakes" are two of the earliest translations." - Lompoc Historical Society Website​
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Book Suggestions:
The Chumash: Seafarers of the Pacific Coast
(Available at the Lompoc Library)
California's Chumash Indians - A Project of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
(Available at the Lompoc Library)
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Chumash: A Picture of Their World
(Available at Lompoc Library - Reference Book)
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Additional Information:
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Videos:
Life & Culture of the Chumash of Southern California
Chumash Basket Weaving Video​
Chumash Rock Art & Cave Paintings
Painted Cave Animated Video Tour
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Craft:
Basket weaving craft kit on Amazon
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Mural:
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Independent Field trip Suggestion:
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
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Group Field trip: August 2025
Self Guided tour of the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center​​​
1787
La Purisima Conception de Maria Santisima Mission Established
"This marks the first European settlement in the Lompoc Valley. The original mission was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812. Remnants of the mission can be seen at this site at the end of South F Street, which has been preserved as a State Historical Landmark."
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Book Recommendation:
Mission La Concepcion Purisima
(available at the Lompoc Library - Reference Book)
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Additional Information:
Brief Highlights of Mission La Purisima Concepcion
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Videos:
The Original La Purísima Mission video​
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Mural:
200 South H St.​
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Independent Field Trip Suggestion:
1813
La Purisima Mission Rebuilt
"The mission was rebuilt over several years beginning in 1813 at its current location on the north side of the Valley. In the 1930's, the Civilian Conservation Corps completely restored La Purisima Mission resulting in the most complete and most authentically restored in the mission system." - Lompoc Historical Society
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Book Suggestions:
Mission La Purisima Conception
(Available at Lompoc Library)
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La Purisima Mission: A Pictorial History
(Available at Lompoc Library - Reference Book)
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Additional Information:
FREE La Purisima Mission Project PDF Download
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Video:
Mission La Purisima: Full Tour Video​
La Purisima Stop Motion Model Build
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Craft:
Craft Model Kit​​
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Mural:
206 E. Ocean Ave.​​
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Group Field Trip: September 2025
1856
Point Conception Lighthouse Built
The lighthouse was originally constructed high on the sandstone cliffs but was relocated half way down in 1881 to a position 133 feet (41 m) above the Pacific Ocean, making it less susceptible to fog obscuring the light.
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​Book Suggestion:
Keepers of the Light: The History of the Point Conception Lighthouse
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Additional Information:
Oil Butt Bench at Lompoc Historical Society
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Videos:
​Point Conception "Graveyard of the Pacific" a Tale of Two Lighthouses Video​
Walkthrough of Point Conception Lighthouse Video
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Craft:
Point Conception Lighthouse Coloring Page
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Mural:
131 South H. Street​​​
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Independent Field Trip:
Point Conception Lighthouse lens on display
1874
Temperance Colony Formed
"The Lompoc Land Company was formed and incorporated in August of 1874 for the purpose of purchasing almost 43,000 acres to establish a temperance colony. A land rush ensued with fierce bidding forcing land prices to skyrocket in just one day. The temperance colony flourished, despite being located on the stage line midway between the "wicked" cities of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Liquor inevitably found its way into the town via passing stagecoaches. Local druggists were also known to stock alcohol "for medicinal purposes." - Lompoc Historical Society
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Book Suggestions:
History of the Lompoc Valley - Dart (Pg 99-128)
Available at Lompoc Library - Reference Book)
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To California and Lompoc and A Memory Garden
Available for sale at Lompoc Historical Society - $8
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Lompoc: The First 100 Years
(Available at Lompoc Library - Reference Book)
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Additional Information:
Photo from Lompoc Historical Society
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Video:
The Temperance Movement Video​
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Mural:
137 S. H St.
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Group Field Trip: October 2025
1875
Lompoc's First All Volunteer
Fire Brigade
"According to Lompoc Record archives, Lompoc’s first all-volunteer fire brigade was formed on August 31, 1875 – nearly 13-years before Lompoc was even incorporated as a city." - City of Lompoc Website
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Additional Information:
Lompoc's Fire Department History
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Craft:
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Mural:
Lompoc's First Fire Chief​​
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Group Field Trip: November 2025
1875
Fabing-McKay-Spanne House Constructed
"The home was built by Henry Wadsworth Fabing less than a year after the founding of the town of Lompoc. Nicknamed "Fabing's Folly" by the townspeople, the home loomed forth in the midst of vacant land. Until the home was built, there were no permanent residences to speak of in the Lompoc Valley. Local residences soon began sharing Mr. Fabing's faith in the valley and followed his lead by constructing permanent, substantial housing." - Lompoc Historical Society
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Additional Information:
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Video:
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Group Field Trip: December 2026
Guided Tour of Fabing-McKay-Spanne House​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
1876
Artesia School Constructed
"The school was built in 1876 as Lompoc’s first country school and originally located on Artesia Avenue west of the city of Lompoc." - civicplus.com
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Additional Information:
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Mural:
215 N. H St.
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Group Field Trip:​​ January 2026
Tour of Artesia School Museum​
1888
City of Lompoc Incorporated
"The City of Lompoc was incorporated on August 13, 1888. At that time the courts ruled that the temperance clause included in all deeds to that time was unenforceable, since there was no reversion clause. The lands could not revert to the Lompoc Valley Land Colony, since it had disbanded years earlier. Temperance, therefore, ended with the incorporation of the City.." - Lompoc Historical Society
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Book Suggestions:
Wild & Whacky Lompoc: A Collection of Colorful Characters and Stories
(Available at Lompoc Library)
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History of the Lompoc Valley - Dart (Pg 99-128)
Available at Lompoc Library - Reference Book)
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Lompoc: The First 100 Years
(Available at Lompoc Library - Reference Book)
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Additional Information:
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Video:
1893
Mining of Diatomaceous Earth Begins
"The Johns-Manville Corporation and others began the mining of diatomaceous earth in the southern hills. The mining industry continues to be a major employer."
- Lompoc Historical Society​​​
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Book Suggestion:
History of Lompoc Valley, California - Dart (Pg 151-159)
(Available at Lompoc Library - Reference Book)
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Additional Information:
Photos from Lompoc Historical Society
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Mural:
111 S. I St.
1894
Rudolf Building Constructed
"The large art deco Rudolph Building (Nos. 105-107 South H), was built in 1890 for Arthur Rudolph and his wife Lucy, and was remodeled in the 1930s.
This building once housed a fine clothier, and its squeaky wooden floors recall a time when buying a new suit included tailoring and a hat was a must. For the ladies, corsets, slips, lace, and button-up high-heeled shoes went with the elegant full hoop dresses and broad-brimmed hats of the day." -noozhawk.com
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​Book Suggestion:
A Photographic History of Downtown Lompoc - Presented by The Lompoc Record (pg. 30 - 39)
(Available at the Lompoc Library)
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Additional Information:
(2) Photo's and Info on Lompoc's Historical Building's
Lompoc's historic Rudolph building purchased by local business owners
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Crafts:
4 Musical Instruments - Craft Video
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Mural:
137 S. H St.
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​Group Field Trip: February 2026
Tour of Certain Sparks Music​
1901
SF to LA Railway Completed
"The completion of the coastal railroad between San Francisco and Los Angeles in 1901, and the subsequent extension of a spur into Lompoc, provided the impetus for growth in the Valley." - Lompoc Historical Society
Book Suggestion:​
Rails of California's Central Coast (pg. 87)
(Available at Lompoc Library - Reference Book)
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Additional Information:
History of the Southern Pacific Railroad
Theodore Roosevelt - Remarks at Surf, California
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Video:
History of the Southern Pacific Railroad
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Mural:
112 N. H St.
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Craft:
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Independent Field trip:
1923
Tragedy at Honda Point
"The year was 1923. On a foggy September night seven Naval Destroyers went aground off Pt. Pedernales, known locally as Honda Point. Assuming they were entering the Santa Barbara Channel, the ships turned left directly into the rocky coastline. In reality the ships were far north of the entrance to the channel." - Lompoc Historical Society​​
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Book Recommendation:​
​Tragedy at Honda
(Available to Lompoc Library)
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Naval History and Heritage Command
Honda​
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Video:
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​Mural:
121 S. G St.​​​​
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Independent Field trip:
1927
Lompoc Theatre Built
“To the fathers, mothers, and children of this prosperous and enterprising community… to the masses and the classes, the new Lompoc theatre is respectfully dedicated. As an integral part of this community, the new Lompoc Theatre is hereby pledged as a public institution, where daily worries, work, and cares may be obliterated through the medium of the universal language — motion pictures. People of the Lompoc valley, this theatre is YOURS.” - proprietor Walter Calvert sent an open letter to the local newspapers
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Book Recommendation:
The Lompoc Theatre: At The Heart Of The City
(Available at Lompoc Library)
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Additional Information:
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Videos:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Brad Hall
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(Retired) Mural:
50 Years of Flowers & Memories
(Unable to visit)
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Group Field Trip: March 2026
Tour of Lompoc Theatre
Lompoc Airport Established
1928
"The first Lompoc airport was on the property between H and O Streets and College and Pine Avenues, where Lompoc High School and the Lompoc Shopping Center now sit. In 1928, when it was dedicated, this site was far out in the country." - Lompoc Historical Society
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Additional Information:
Lompoc Historical Society - Lompoc Airport
​More Information on Lompoc Airport History
Abandoned and Little Known Airfields
(about 1/2 way down page)
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​Videos:
Flying with Tony Arbini into Lompoc Airport​
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Independent Field Trip:
Visit the Lompoc Airport
1941
Camp Cooke (VAFB in 1958)
"In 1941, Camp Cooke was established as an Army training base. It later became Cooke Air Force Base and was renamed Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1958. The Base was the first missile base of the United States Air Force." - Lompoc Historical Society
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Book Recommendations:
(Available at Lompoc Library)
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A History of Camp Cooke: 1941 to 1946
(Available at Lompoc Library - Reference Book)
Additional Resources:
Wikipedia​
Camp Cooke Display at Lompoc Historical Society
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Group Field Trip: April 2026
Tour of VSFB - Space and Missile Heritage Center
1980's
Space Shuttle Program Slated to Launch
"The Space Shuttle program was slated to begin launches in the late 1980's. However, the when the Challenger exploded during take-off in 1986, the West Coast Shuttle Program was terminated, leaving Lompoc in a severe recession." - Lompoc Historical Society
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Additional Information:
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Videos:
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Craft:
Space Shuttle Drawing Tutorial
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Group Field Trip: May 2026
Tour of Command Center on VSFB
Modern Day Lompoc
​"Ready to make this summer unforgettable? Lompoc is calling! From flower fields to fine wine, skydives to sunsets, this Central Coast gem is full of sunny adventures. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a season-long staycation, this Summer Bucket List will help you squeeze every drop of fun out of your Lompoc days." - Explore Lompoc
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​​More Information:​
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Videos:​
Things to Do In Lompoc California
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Craft:
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Group Field Trip: June 2026
