Westminster: Westminster was founded in 1870 by Rev. Lemuel Webber as a Presbyterian temperance colony. Its name is taken from the Westminster Assembly of 1643, which laid out the basic tenets of the Presbyterian faith. For several years of its early history, its farmers refused to grow grapes because they associated grapes with alcohol.

Now, over 100 years later, the Asian American community contributes largely to the city with a substantial number of businesses. The area, now recognized as "Little Saigon" has the largest concentration of Vietnamese in the United States. This 1.5-mile stretch along Bolsa Avenue of Asian-owned restaurants and shops has been designated by city officials as an official tourist attraction.

In the 1930s, residents tried to stay afloat during the Depression and the 1933 Long Beach earthquake and flood hit the area. During World War II, several orange groves and lima-bean fields were supplanted by shipyards and aircraft factories where defense workers from the Midwest came to work - and stayed, according historical accounts.

Westminster was incorporated in 1957, at which time it had 10,755 residents. Originally, the city was named Tri-City because it was the amalgamation of three cities: Westminster, Barber City, and Midway City. Midway City ultimately turned down incorporation, leaving Barber City to be absorbed into the newly incorporated Westminster. The former Barber City was located in the western portion of the current City of Westminster.

In the 1970s, Westminster Mall was built, adding to the city's financial base. Their motto is "The City of Progress Built on Pride."