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Palmdale, California

"The Aerospace Capital"

Sitting at the western edge of the Mojave Desert, Palmdale has been at the center of American aerospace history — the Space Shuttle orbiters were built here, and Edwards Air Force Base is just next door.

Founded 1962 | Population 159,350 | Peak 159,350 (2020) | County Los Angeles

Top 10 Most Important Events for Palmdale, California

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1886 Settlement Established:

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1915 Name Changed to Palmdale:

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1933 Air Force Plant 42 Origins:

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1962 City Incorporated:

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1974 Space Shuttle Construction Begins:

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1988 B-2 Stealth Bomber Unveiled:

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1990 Population Boom:

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2008 Housing Crisis Hits Hard:

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2023 B-21 Raider Revealed:

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Latest News in Palmdale

Mar 22, 2026

Parolee with Prior Double-Murder Conviction Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Killing of South Los Angeles Woman

LOS ANGELES—A man previously convicted of two murders in 1998 was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole …

Mar 16, 2026

Study: Cannabis Ineffective for Most Mental Disorders

A major review of past studies has delivered a clear verdict on the role of cannabis-based medicines in treating mental health and…

Mar 16, 2026

Investigator Exposes $170M Fraud in California

Investigator Nick Shirley has brought to light a massive $170 million fraud scheme operating within California, representing a sig…

Mar 15, 2026

NYPD Captain Arrested for Assaulting Alleged Child Predator

NYPD Captain Kai Bowen is now facing serious legal repercussions following an off-duty incident that escalated into violence. Repo…

Mar 13, 2026

What’s Behind Trump’s Push to Revive California Oil?

The Trump administration’s directive to Sable Offshore Corp. to restore the Santa Ynez oil unit in California represents a s…

Mar 10, 2026

CBS Investigation Reveals Hospice Fraud Hotspot in Los Angeles

CBS News has exposed a troubling epicenter of hospice fraud in Los Angeles, California, shedding light on a systemic issue that ha…

Complete Historical Timeline

1886

German settlers establish Palmenthal in Antelope Valley

1915

Community renamed Palmdale

1933

Army Air Corps establishes airfield (future Plant 42)

1962

Palmdale incorporates as a city

1974

Space Shuttle orbiter assembly begins at Rockwell plant

1988

B-2 Spirit stealth bomber unveiled at Plant 42

1990

Population boom as LA commuters discover affordable housing

2008

Subprime crisis devastates Palmdale housing market

2011

Last Space Shuttle mission ends; orbiter era concludes

2023

B-21 Raider next-gen stealth bomber revealed at Plant 42

Did You Know?

Palmdale and neighboring Lancaster are collectively known as the Antelope Valley, though pronghorn antelope haven't been common in the area since the 1880s.

The Palmdale Amphitheater hosts the annual Aero Fest celebrating the city's aerospace heritage.

More stealth aircraft have been built within 20 miles of Palmdale than anywhere else on Earth.