1500History
== History ==
The Ohlone tribe of Native Americans inhabited this area at least by 1500 to 1000 BC.
1849History
In 1849, Isaiah Churchill Woods (1825–1880) attempted to make the area around what is now Cooley Landing in the northeast of the current city a major shipping town and named the...
1868Economy
In 1868, after Woods' investments failed he sold the wharf to Lester Phillip Cooley (1837–1882), who leased the land to the brick factory Hunter and Schakleford.
1884Economy
When the brick factory left the landing in 1884, the land around the landing was reverted to a ranch.
1888Education
Since 1888, Stanford University, on the west side of Palo Alto, prohibited alcohol sales within a radius of 1.5-mile (2.4 km) from the campus.
1951Education
One tumulus was discovered in 1951 during development of the University Village subdivision near today's Costaño School.
1953History
== Media ==
The Ravenswood Post (1953–1981) was an African-American weekly newspaper serving East Palo Alto.
1954History
In 1954, Lowe alerted the neighborhood that a "Negro invasion" was imminent, and as intended, white flight ensued.
1958Education
Between 1958 and 1976 East Palo Alto had its own high school, Ravenswood High School.
1968History
In 1968 the area was almost renamed Nairobi, after the center of the Swahili-speaking area, to reflect the population's African roots.
1970Education
The rules were relaxed in 1970, but the neighborhood still retained this character until 2000, when the city tore down Whiskey Gulch and replaced it with the University Circle o...
1977History
These differences in demographics and wealth perversely accelerated with the introduction of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, which banned redlining.
1982Government
After several years of pro-incorporation campaigning by local community groups, a 1982 ballot measure that was stopped by a lawsuit, and a subsequent election the next year, Eas...
1983Government
East Palo Alto was founded as an unincorporated community and was incorporated in July 1983.
1986Government
The lawsuit alleged that voter fraud through absentee ballots contributed to the success of the vote for incorporation; However, the California Supreme Court unanimously denied ...
1987History
Because of subsequent legal challenges to the last ballot measure, it was not until 1987 that the city was officially recognized as such.
1990History
In 1990, 43% of East Palo Alto's residents were African Americans, which was the result of redlining practices and racial deed restrictions in Palo Alto, while 34% were Latinos.
1992Crime
In 1992, the city had the country's highest per-capita murder rate, with 42 murders for 25,000 residents.
1995Education
After the school was closed because of low enrollment, the building was demolished in 1995 to make room for the Gateway 101 Shopping Center.
1996Education
There is also a private high school, Eastside College Preparatory, which opened in 1996.
1997History
Over 25% of East Palo Alto (400+ acres) has been bulldozed and replaced with brand new housing and brand-name retail establishments since approximately 1997, attracting an entir...
2001Government
Alternatively, East Palo Alto Academy (opened in 2001 as East Palo Alto High School) and East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy (opened 2006) are charter high schools in East Palo Alto.
2006Education
A 200-room Four Seasons hotel opened in University Circle in 2006.
2008Government
In 2008, after twenty years without a supermarket, East Palo Alto individuals and organizations established the East Palo Alto Community Farmers' Market.
2009Architecture
In November 2009, the Mi Pueblo Food Center grocery store opened in the Ravenswood 101 shopping center in the location of the former Circuit City store.
2014Education
In 2014, the Sequoia Union High School District discontinued the practice of busing.
2020History
As of 2020, African Americans were 11%, while Latinos are about 66%.
2023Crime
In 2023, the city had no murders, the first time in its history.
2024Government
== Government ==
In the California State Legislature, East Palo Alto is in the 13th senatorial district, represented by Democrat Josh Becker, and in the 21st Assembly district...
2025Government
As of December 2025, Webster Lincoln is the mayor.