Worried about unplanned growth, higher taxes and piecemeal annexation by neighbouring cities, rancher Norman Nathanson, the Cupertino-Monta Vista Improvement Association and the Fact-finding Committee began a drive for incorporation in 1954. Voters approved it on September 27, 1955, by 225 to 183, and Cupertino became a city on October 10, 1955.
Monta Vista stayed out at the last moment, and Rancho Rinconada joined only in 1999.