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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

Jan 1, 1970

Wheel of Fortune Contestant Misses Out On $61,000 Over This Tough Puzzle

A Wheel of Fortune contestant saw $61,000 slip away in the Bonus Round last week, leaving fans stunned over what many called one o…

Jan 1, 1970

Dead or Missing Scientists Pose “National Security Threat,” Top House Republican Warns as Oversight Committee Launches Probe

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has declared a series of deaths and disappearances involving at least 11 Am…

Jan 1, 1970

Trump’s Psychedelic Pivot: Executive Order Accelerates Review of Mind-Altering Drugs for Mental Health Crisis

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday directing federal agencies to fast-track the review and potential app…

Jan 1, 1970

White House Signals Review of Mysterious Deaths and Disappearances Among U.S. Scientists in Sensitive Fields

The Trump administration has indicated it will examine a cluster of unexplained deaths and disappearances involving at least 10 Am…

Jan 1, 1970

California’s “Stop Nick Shirley Act”: Privacy Measure or Assault on Investigative Journalism?

California lawmakers advanced a controversial bill Monday that critics have dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” raising sharp …

Jan 1, 1970

Sexual Assault Probe and Staff Revolt Threaten to End Congressman’s California Gubernatorial Bid

Rep. Eric Swalwell’s once-promising campaign for California governor has unraveled with breathtaking speed. In little more than …

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.