California's Centennial Cities in 2011

There are 11 cities that officially turn 100 in 2011, and another city (Solvang) that celebrates its founding in 1911, though it wasn't incorporated till 1985.

Celebrating 100 year anniversaries, some cities aren't doing very much. They are small and don't have many citizens, or they look to their history beyond 100 years and celebrate a timeline of events that shaped their municipalities. Some larger cities or places with an eye on marketing have designed logos, published books, are selling t-shirts, hats, canvas totes, and have an event or several each month. Parades, parties, special days, time capsules, speeches and cakes seem to be part & parcel for the 100 year anniversary events.

Here are California Cities with Centennials in 2011

Arroyo Grande July 10, 2011 Centennial Parade -arroyograndecentennial.org

Burbank published a Centennial book and will host a celebration on July 8, 2011, the Party of the Century at City Hall -ci.burbank.ca.us. Get the Burbank Centennial book at burbankparks.com.

Chula Vista Chula Vista's past will come to life on Sunday, October 16, 2011, during a daylong Centennial Expo featuring historic displays, vintage cars and live music in downtown Memorial Park. -chulavista100.com

Daly City - Daly City in San Mateo County was born out of a small town known as Vista Grande 100 years ago. They had a party and are selling logo merchandise. -dalycity.org

Exeter - held a parade. -cityofexeter.com

Glendora - has events throughout the year. -ci.glendora.ca.us

King City hosted a celebration -kingcity.com

Maricopa - rural city in Kern County

Perris launched with Fred T. Perris Day -cityofperris.org

Rialto -rialtoca.gov

San Fernando -ci.san-fernando.ca.us "Historic & Visionary"

Sanger is National Christmas Tree City. -ci.sanger.ca.us

Solvang (not incorporated till 1985 but founded in 1911, celebrates Centennial this year)- cityofsolvang.com

Roll back the clock to 1911 in California. Some declared it was the end of the Railroad era. Cars and planes were replacing the train as more popular modes of transportation, allowing for a greater influx of visitors and residents to California.

In California 1911 was a momentous year for women when the Women's Suffrage Movement got the right to vote placed on the ballot for a successful "win".

In 1911 Standard Oil Co. (California) broke off from its parent, a giant New York-based corporation. The decision concluded the government's 4 1/2-year suit under the Sherman Antitrust Act against the Standard Oil Co. (New Jersey), its subsidiaries and affiliates. The El Segundo plant in Southern California was built in 1911 and a pipeline linked Richmond and the Kern River Field.

In 1911 Glenn Curtiss pilots 1st successful hydroplane, San Diego and Willis Farnsworth of Petaluma patents the coin-operated locker. What a year it was!

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