(CLAIR) – There is a piece of Simi Valley history that is not widely known. One such piece of history is the original name of our city: Simiopolis. According to the Strathearn Historical Society, a group of Chicago 3investors came up with this name, but it did not last long. After only a year, the name was scrapped and replaced with the more familiar Simi Valley.
The name Simiopolis is a combination of the name “Simi” and the suffix “-polis,” which is of Greek origin and means “city.” The investors likely chose this name to give the impression of a sophisticated and modern city, but it ultimately did not resonate with residents or the wider public.
Unfortunately, the information about the specific group of investors who originally proposed the name Simiopolis for the City of Simi Valley is not readily available. It is possible that this information is included in the archives of the Strathearn Historical Society. The change of the name to Simi Valley suggests that the investors were likely a relatively small group without much influence or power, as the decision to change the name was made quickly and without much resistance.
It’s also worth noting that the name Simi Valley itself is somewhat of a misnomer, as the area is not actually a valley in the traditional sense. It’s a plain that lies between the Santa Susana Mountains to the north and the Simi Hills to the south. Nonetheless, the name Simi Valley has become synonymous with the city and the surrounding area.
It’s also worth noting, for years, Simi was also known as “The Colony” due to the presence of numerous cults and strange religions that had headquarters in the area.
Despite the short-lived name of Simiopolis, Simi Valley has a rich and diverse history that is waiting to be explored.
