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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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1886Settlement Established:

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1915Name Changed to Palmdale:

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1933Air Force Plant 42 Origins:

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1962City Incorporated:

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1974Space Shuttle Construction Begins:

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1988B-2 Stealth Bomber Unveiled:

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1990Population Boom:

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2008Housing Crisis Hits Hard:

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2023B-21 Raider Revealed:

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Latest News in Palmdale

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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.

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