Palmdale Real Estate

The story of Palmdale

Settled in the 1880s by Swiss and German homesteaders who mistook the native Joshua trees for palms — hence the name — Palmdale stayed a farming community until Air Force Plant 42 arrived. Since then nearly every significant American aircraft, from the SR-71 Blackbird to the B-2 and the F-117, has rolled out of its hangars, and Lockheed and Northrop remain major employers. The city incorporated in 1962 and grew explosively through the 1980s as families followed the 14 Freeway north in search of new homes they could actually afford. Rancho Vista and the west side hold the larger custom properties, and Metrolink runs commuters into Union Station.