1810Military
In 1810, the king of Spain formally granted the land to Lugo as a reward for his military service and the acreage became known as Rancho San Antonio.
1838Government
The grant was confirmed by the Mexican governor in 1838.
1865Military
By 1865, the Lugo family's fortune had dwindled and most of the Rancho was sold for less than a dollar per acre.
1870History
Between 1870 and 1890, settlers arrived to the area and among those was the city's founder.
1876History
In 1876, the pioneer residents for whom the city is named, James George Bell and his wife Susan Abia Hollenbeck Bell, and their two children, Maude Elizabeth and Alphonzo Sr.
1898History
In 1898, the town's name was changed from Rancho San Antonio to Bell, in honor of its pioneer founders.
1920History
Between 1920 and 1935, an explosive growth in population occurred in the Bell area.
1923History
An area-wide sanitation district was formed in 1923 to provide sewer facilities.
1925Architecture
In 1925, the Alcazar Theater to show "talking pictures", was opened.
1927Government
=== Cityhood ===
Bell was incorporated as a city in 1927.
1930History
=== Surrounding areas ===
== Demographics ==
Bell first appeared as a city in the 1930 U.S.
1998History
In 1998 it was sold again.
2000History
On April 6, 2000, the Bell House was dedicated as a California State Historical Resource.
2005Government
City residents voted to become a charter city in a special municipal election on November 29, 2005.
2007Civil Rights
In March 2007, the city of Bell held its first contested election for city council in almost a decade.
2009Government
Allegations about irregularities in the 2009 election also were examined by the FBI and California Secretary of State office.
2010History
== Economy ==
By December 2010, Bell was in a financial crisis due to the above-referenced public embezzlement scandals.
2011Civil Rights
The next election for City Council was held in March 2011, and included the recall of all the city council members save one, who was not re-elected.
2018Architecture
The Bell Futsal Park (opened in 2018) is a repurposed skate park that features one main court that can be split into 3 smaller courts.
2019History
=== Income data ===
During 2019–2023, Bell had a median household income of $60,641, with 22.8% of its residents living below the federal poverty line.