Postwar suburbanization Fullerton, California

although fullerton other southern california cities had experienced expansion of population due housing development, increased order of magnitude during post war years. fullerton s population soared after world war ii american veterans migrated california, bought housing in land development destroyed surrounding farming , park areas, , in particular after construction of interstate 5 , development in neighboring anaheim.

to serve growing population, california state legislature authorized orange county state college in 1957, began operating out of fullerton high schools in 1959. in 1963, moved present campus on state college boulevard, , later, after several name-changes, redesignated california state university, fullerton. other institutions followed, earning fullerton reputation education city. fullerton arboretum, 26-acre (105,000 m²) botanical garden, opened in northeastern part of city adjacent campus in 1979.

manufacturing growth leveled off ever-soaring property prices, increasing environmental regulation, traffic, , other pressures increased. late 20th century city had lost of rural character in favor of suburban housing tracts , shopping centers.