Brea, one of the oldest communities within Orange County, was incorporated in 1917 as the city of oil, oranges, and opportunity. Brea was known as a place where tar seeped from the hills. The word "Brea" means tar in Spanish. In early history, Indians and pioneers used chunks of the oil-soaked earth for fuel and domestic purposes like heating their homes and waterproofing their roofs.
In 1894, the Union Oil Company purchased 1,200 acres of land to be used for oil development. An actual town did not develop until 1911 when businesses and small industries sprang up to serve the oil field workers and their families. The official founding date for the town of Brea is January 19, 1911. The City of Brea became incorporated on February 23, 1917, with a population of 752. Brea's oil boom lasted until 1940. The 40s, 50s and 60s brought many new housing developments and new businesses, 70s saw big changes with the opening of the Brea Mall.Companies took advantage of the city's strategic location in the center of Southern California.
Brea is a thriving city of 40,377 residents. More than 100,000 people visit the city daily to work, shop or play. Brea is also very proud of its bustling downtown popularly known as "Birch Street," with over 50 acres of shopping and entertainment.
Brea is fortunate to have two museums dedicated to preserving nearly 100 years of history. Visitors can take a step back in time at the Olinda Oil Museum and Park, a 12-acre historical park developed to recapture the sights, sounds, and smells of the oil boom era. City Hall Park, located on Brea Boulevard, includes a large community plunge and hosts a popular summer Concerts in the Park series, as well as the annual July 4 Country Fair
Brea also welcomed its very first Brea Sports Park, which opened on February 2009 and is located on the northwest corner of Valencia and Birch