A Quick History of Calabasas

Early History

The origins of the name “Calabasas” are unknown. Some believe “Calabasas” comes from the Indian word for “where wild geese fly.” Cumash Indian Settlers would forage for small game, nuts and berries in a Calabasas area.

Another option for the namesake comes from a tale of a cart’s worth of pumpkins spilling overboard en route to Los Angeles. The pumpkins that sprouted the following spring inspired the name “Las Calabasas” after the Spanish word for pumpkin – calabazas.

On the 22nd of February, 1776, the de Anza explorers were the first to explore the area.

On August 18th, 1795, the San Fernano mission records included the first known mention of the name “Calabasas” and so began the rich history.

1800 – 1890

Between 1844 and 1846, construction completed of the oldest surviving buildings in Los Angeles County. Built by an unknown settler, the residence is now known as one of the most haunted sites in Calabasas.

In 1880, Miguel Leonis, a French Pyrenean, and his Indian wife, Espiritu, take up residence in Calabasas at the house. The house becomes known as “Leonis Adobe”.

1890 – 1990

Miguel passes away in 1889 from injuries caused by a drunken fall from his wagon.

Seventeen years later and after a long legal battle to win the estate, on the 10th of April in 1906, Espitiru Leonis passes away. She leaves “Leonis Abode” to her son from her first marriage, Juan Mendez. He sold the last portion of the land in 1922 to Martin Agoure, after whom the township of Agoura is named.

In 1963, Mrs. Walter Beacher bought large amounts of land to preserve Calabasas’ Old Town area. She died in 1974. Shortly after, in 1982, her trustees handed her Calabasas property to the Leonis Adobe Association. The Association named the area “Calabasas Creek Park”, preserved the area and made it open for public use.

In further efforts to preserve Calabasas, in 1978 the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area was created to protect the pristine wilderness in and around Calabasas.

1990 – 2009

A special election was held in Calabasas on April 5th, 1991 and it was voted to create The New City of Calabasas. Charles Cate became the first Calabasas City Manager on August 26th, 1991.

From there, many civil buildings were built. In September of 1994, the City of Calabasas purchased the Tennis and Swim Center.

February 27th, 1998, Renovated Old Town Calabasas had a Grand Reopening. In July of the same year, the Library officially became the Calabasas Library when the City of Calabasas took it over from Los Angeles County. It moved into a 4,000sq foot home at the first level of City Hall the following year. In 2002, the Calabasas library moved again to a location at 23975 on Park Sorrento into a space of 12,000 square feet.

Through the six months following the Renovation of Old Town , many grand openings occurred. In September of 1998, the dog park titled “Bark Park” was opened. In November, The Commons Shopping Centre enjoyed its opening and, shortly after, in early 1999, the Calabasas Creekside Park and Community Centre.

In recent times, July 13th in 2008 saw the opening of the Calabasas Civic Center that features a New City Hall and an additional Calabasas Library.