County of Orange history

RanchingRanching The first ranch, Santiago de Santa Ana, was established in 1801

In 1810 his son-in-law, José Antonio Yorba, and his grandson, Juan Pablo Peralta, received a formal concession to the land that became known as the Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana.

In 1834, the Mexican government began the secularization of the California missions, restricting the padres to their religious duties, and placing civil administrators in charge of the operation of the missions.

Don Blas Aguilar purchased two of these adobes in 1845, which he named "La Hacienda Aguilar."

By the start of the Mexican War in 1846, nearly all of Orange County except the mountain regions had been granted to the rancheros.

The United States would receive the land in 1848 following the Mexican War.

In 1857, a group of German immigrants set up a colony they named after the Santa Ana River combined with the German word for home (heim): Anaheim.

Established by Bernardo Yorba in 1858, it is the resting place for many of the region's Hispanic pioneers.

The area was subdivided, an irrigation ditch dug, and the vineyards planted before the first colonists moved to Anaheim in 1859.

Chapman UniversityChapman University Founded in 1861, one of the premier liberal arts universities in Southern California with over 5,000 students

Two events in 1868 opened up much of the Santa Ana Valley to settlers.

In 1870, the first commercial vessel entered Newport Bay, which soon became a regular shipping point along the coast.

Exhibits include the McCoy-Hare House, which served as the community's first drugstore, built in 1874.

The Southern Pacific built the first local railroad in 1875, extending its tracks south from Los Angeles to Anaheim.

Built in 1876, in English-country style, the church originally was at Emily and Adele streets in Anaheim.

The Ramos House CaféThe Ramos House Café Built in 1881, patrons can dine under the mulberry tree at this historic San Juan Capistrano cottage.

George and Edward Amerige They bought 430 acresof land for approximately $68,000 and established the town of Fullertonon July 5, 1887

Santa Ana's oldest church in continuous use, completed in 1888.

In 1889, Orange County was officially formed as the population kept on growing in the area.

Orange County FairgroundOrange County Fairground The fairgrounds have been hosting a fair since 1890, now hosting nearly one million visitors per year

In 1893 the newly created County of Orange purchased the land where the Old Courthouse sits from William Spurgeon, the founder of Santa Ana, for the express purpose of building a permanent courthouse.

The house was built in 1894 by Clark, Fullertons' pioneer physician, and originally was located on Lemon Street.

Built in 1896 to serve as a holding cell, the jail originally was located on the west side of Camino Capistrano at the Ortega Highway intersection.

But the first building constructed on that parcel was not a courthouse but the county jail, which opened in 1897.

The Kellogg House at Heritage Museum of Orange County The Kellogg House was designed by Hiram Clay Kellogg and was built in 1898.

After seventeen months of construction, the building was formally dedicated in November of 1901.

The home of Albert Bradford was built in 1902 on his Tesoro Rancho.

RailroadRailroad The first rail system from LA to Orange County began in 1904 to Santa Ana

Built in 1905 by the Newport Bay Investment Company, it played a prominent role in the development of Newport Beach as a seaside recreation area.

Built abiplanedesign and assembled it in an abandoned church in SantaAna On August 1, 1909 his planeflew afew feet off theground for 12 seconds Glenn Martin

Beginning around 1910, the automobile also started to have an impact.

He was born in 1913 in this small house that his father built from a catalog kit.

The fully restored and furnished 1915 Warne farmhouse with its barn and windmill is another major attraction.

Bond of Blood (1916) The streets of Los Alamitos resemble a typical western movie set and were used in the filming of the 1916 movie Bond of Blood.

Joseph Allen Beck In 1920, thefirst car wasferried acrossthebay for 10 cents

Red Lantern TheaterRed Lantern Theater Brea 1922Brea 1922 Opening attraction starredOpening attraction starred the famous actress Bebethe famous actress Bebe DanielsDaniels

The Muckenthaler home was built in 1924 by Walter and Adella Muckenthaler atop a hill in Fullerton.

Built in 1925 during the silent film age, the Fox Theatre has always offered a unique entertainment experience - from its courtyard "lobby" to its lavish interior.

Several small communities later developed along Beach and Manchester boulevards, and the completion of the Coast Highway in 1926 brought new growth to places like Laguna Beach and Dana Point.

Bowers MuseumBowers Museum Santa Ana 1931Santa Ana 1931 Only museum in the United StatesOnly museum in the United States to partner with Theto partner with The British MuseumBritish Museum

Orange County Water District The OCWD is a special district formed in 1933 as an act by the California Legislature

Was built on Abbott's Landing in 1936 where Mr.

Orange County Floods The storm of February 4-7, 1937 resulted in the highest four day rainfall totals at several stations in the Santa Ana River

Orange County Floods On September 21, 1939, a tropical rainstorm with heavy winds struck the Huntington

Yet by 1940, Orange County’s population was still only 130,000, while California was nearing seven million.

In 1941, the court found for the plaintiff in Irvine Co. vs.

Co-founded Orco, a concrete-block company in Santa Anain 1946 PeterMuth

In 1955, the Disneyland amusement park opened up.

Inventor who moved to SantaAnain 1957 Holder of 63 patents M. Lowell Edwards

Land baron who built much of Orangecounty starting in 1958 with Bren Co.

La CaveLa Cave Since opening for business on Valentine's Day, 1962, LaCave has been a treasured Newport/Mesa steakhouse and jazz club.

Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Founded in 1964 and includes a state-of- the-art 232 bed main hospital facility.

University of California - IrvineUniversity of California - Irvine Founded in 1965, it is home to over 25,000 students and is 2nd largest employer in Orange County

The California State Loan Guarantee Program (SLGP) was established in 1968 to create jobs and opportunities for small businesses, targeting those owned by minorities, women, and the disabled.

Orange County Floods February 24, 1969, almost 6 inches of rain fell, overflowing dams and flooding parks and nearby canyons in Huntington Beach

RutabegorzRutabegorz Back in 1970, four college students opened the doors to a small "hippie joint" which took its name from a spin on the word for the unloved turnip.

The HobbitThe Hobbit Orange County Business History Opened in 1972, it is one of the last truly elegant dining experiences in Southern California, this singular restaurant serves a sumptuous seven-course meal of contemporary Continental cuisine.

Coastal Communities Hospital Opened its doors to the community in 1973 and is a 178-bed acute care hospital.

Studs Lonigan (1978) Scenes from the 1978 TV mini-series Studs Lonigan were filmed inside courtroom of the Santa Ana Courthouse.

Crystal CathedralCrystal Cathedral Opened in Garden Grove in 1980, is home to more than 10,000 worshipers and is a nationally recognized symbol

T.K. BurgersT.K. Burgers Opened in 1986, started as a small burger shop with a “backyard barbeque” feel now caters to patrons throughout Orange County.

Taco SurfTaco Surf In 1988, a father and son opened a restaurant based on the surf and food from Baja Mexico; which is now one of the most famous Mexican food places in the world.

The BungalowThe Bungalow Opened in 1990, this charming Craftsman style restaurant is minutes from the heart of Newport Beach’s premier business and shopping center, Fashion island, yet it feels miles apart.

Lake ForestLake Forest An environmentally friendly master planned city that was incorporated in 1991

D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994) Scenes from the Walt Disney Pictures movie D2: The Mighty Ducks were filmed at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim located at 2695 E. Katella Ave, which has been renamed and is now the Honda Center.

Jerry Maguire (1996) The airport scenes in the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire starring Tom Cruise and Renée Zellweger were filmed at the Santa Ana John Wayne Airport in Orange County.

Vietnam War Memorial The Vietnam War Memorial Project was initiated by Westminster City Councilman Frank G. Fry in 1997.

In 1999, the Muckenthaler Cultural Center villa was included on the National Register of Historic Places. 'The Muck' produces more than 100 performances, gallery exhibits and classes every year, and serves more than 30,000 people.

Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000)

Established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in 2001, Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County focuses on the economic development of underserved communities in California.

Catch Me If You Can (2002) The Old Santa Ana Courthouse was used for scenes of the 2002 movie Catch Me If You Can starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

American Wedding (2003) The Radio Shack located at 101 S. Glassell Street in the Orange Circle was transformed to resemble a flower shop in the 2003 movie American Wedding.

First Daughter (2004) At the beginning of the movie, the First Family drives into the college town (what is supposed to be the University of Redmond), but this is actually on W. Chapman Ave in Old Town Orange.

Jim Jannard Introduced new featuresto sunglassesincluding: hingelessarms, tougher lenses, and titanium castings Forbeslisted Jannard’snet worth at $1.5 billion in 2005