1843
John Temple purchases Rancho Los Cerritos from the Cota family in December 1843 for $3,000
1844
John Temple builds the present two-story Monterey-style adobe as headquarters for his cattle-ranching operations, and stocks the land with as many as 15,000 head of cattle
1853
Benjamin and Thomas Flint, and Lewellyn Bixby, form Flint, Bixby & Co. and bring sheep to California
1866
John Temple sells Rancho Los Cerritos to Flint, Bixby & Co.
1881
Jotham Bixby provides lease with option to buy of 4000 acres to William Willmore for the founding of a town, Willmore City, and agricultural community
1884
William Willmore is unsuccessful in promoting his town, but the Long Beach Land and Water Company purchases his option and renames the town Long Beach
1887
Long Beach is incorporated
1930-1931
Rancho Los Cerritos is remodeled by Llewellyn Bixby, Sr. for a family residence
1955
Rancho Los Cerritos is acquired by the City of Long Beach and opened to the public as a museum
1970
Rancho Los Cerritos is placed on the National Register of Historic Properties and is also designated a National Historic Landmark
1979
Rancho Los Cerritos is designated a City of Long Beach Historical Landmark
1988
Rancho Los Cerritos is designated State Historic Landmark No. 978
