Los Angeles: The site first belonged to native tribes

The site where Los Angeles now stands first belonged to native tribes, including the Chumash and Tongva.

In 1542, explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo discovered the area. Spanish settlers founded a small ranching community and named it El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles (The town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels), and later shortened it to Pueblo de los Ángeles.