Some historians state that the name "Lancaster" was bestowed upon the town by Mr. M.L. Wicks, a real estate developer who purchased six sections of land from the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1884 at a price of about $2.50 an acre. Prior to that date, in 1882, Mr. Wicks has started a Scottish settlement of about 150 persons in the Valley, presumably the town was a more permanent home for those people. The story goes on to say that he named the new city for his former home, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Until it was incorporated in 1977, the area was under the political influence of Los Angeles County. Citizens in the area felt a need for better interaction with their policy making body and local control; and, with the work of the Citizens for Incorporation, cityhood became a reality. The vote for incorporation signified a new community pride as well as a commitment to exercise the traditional rights of self governance.