Chapter 3 - Foundations of Human Activity

Simi Valley was originally settled by the Chumash Indians.  Chumash Indians were "physically and spiritually united with nature".  The hills surrounding Simi Valley and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean allowed them live off the land without actually farming it.  

While Simi Valley is located only thirty miles from the second largest urban area in the country (Los Angeles), it was relatively unpopulated at the beginning of the 20th century.  It was not until the 1970s that the population really started to grow.  The Simi Valley population grew over 600% from 1960 to 1970, from 8,000 to 78,000.

Simi Valley was incorporated in 1969 and currently has a population of 125,000.

Simi Valley residents that want to learn more about the Chumash Indians can still enjoy Chumash Park and Trail, located in the hills, just northeast of the town.

Sources:

Chumash Trail (http://www.rsrpd.org/park/chumashparkandtrail/chumashparkandtrail.html)

Chumash Indians (http://www.chumashindian.com/)

History of Simi Valley (http://www.simihistory.com/Chumash.htm)

Simi Valley Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simi_Valley,_California#History)