Orange County Historical Society

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Thanks to Dr. Benjamin Jenkins for his excellent program on citrus and railroads last night! (Watch for it on our Youtube channel soon.) Thanks also to the 110 history fans who attended, and to our wonderful board and volunteers for putting together the whole evening. Additional thanks to Zito's Pizza for the best pizza we've had in a long time! As for the board election,... The full slate was elected, almost unanimously.

CANCELLED -- OCHS' Judge Pleasants event at Arden -- previously scheduled for this Saturday, March 30 -- has been cancelled due to predicted heavy rain. 🙁 Stay in, stay dry, and watch for a rescheduled date for our event in the coming months.

Great turnout tonight for historian Paul R. Spitzzeri's program on La Vida Mineral Springs!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram!
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Thanks to Andy Schmidt of the SoCal Landmarks project for the wonderful program thus evening!

🏫 The SoCal Landmarks Project! 🏫

A bit about our December speaker:

SoCal Landmarks is an ongoing photography project documenting historical landmarks in Southern Ca.

Project manager Andy Schmidt moved to Orange County in late 2005. As a member of the Photographic Society of Orange County, he was involved with the Slice of Orange photography project organized by John Bare of Laguna Niguel, for which he provided administrative and technical assistance.

In mid-2019, Andy approached John and one of the other photographers in the Slice project, Al Russell, about helping organize and administer an open-ended project focusing on historical landmarks. Already, the project has documented more than 600 landmarks with many more still to go.

🏤 Thursday, 12/14. 7:30pm
Trinity Episcopal Church
2400 N. Canal St, Orange

The public is welcome!

Author's Night 2023: Douglas Westfall

Publisher, lecturer and writer, Douglas Westfall, will highlight two books from his “All About Orange” series. 'Santiago Creek: The Memoirs of John Gietzen' is a walking tour of Santiago Creek and includes a guide, maps and historical information.
'Rancho Lands: The Memoirs of Alfred B. Chapman' is “about the rancho lands that became the Town of Orange.”

Born in Los Angeles in 1949, Westfall claims author-
ship of fifty books and has given presentations in more than half of the United States, as well as Canada, Latin America, Europe and the Philippines. Of his Paragon publishing business, he says: “Some of our books I author, and many are written by selected authorities, while others are reproductions of significant historical publications."

OCHS Author's Night 2023!
Thursday, 11/9. 7:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church
2400 N. Canal St, Orange

Thanks to our intrepid team who represented OCHS at the L.A. Archives Bazaar at USC yesterday: Daniel, Dolores and Lynne!

Author's Night: Robert A. Stoffel

The History and Heritage of O.C. Communications provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Orange County public safety communications system began and evolved, from radio station KGHX in 1934 to the amazing technological advances of the 2020s. This story is key to the histories of all our local law enforcement, fire, lifeguard and other emergency services agencies. Author Robert Stoffel was Chief of Operations and Emergency Communications Coordinator for the O.C. Public Safety Countywide Coordinated Communications Center. He later served as the Director of the O.C. Sheriff’s Communications & Technology Division. After thirty years of service to the County and its first responder agencies, he retired in 2016.

We look forward to seeing you on November 9th, 7:30p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 2400 N. Canal St., in the City of Orange to meet with this awesome group of authors!

Author's Night: Donna L. Friess

San Juan Capistrano’s history and the longtime efforts to preserve its frontier heritage and equestrian culture are the topics of Capistrano Trails: Ride for the Brand by historian, fourth-generation Californian and retired Cypress College educator Donna L. Friess, Ph.D.

Another of her books, Whispering Waters: Historic Weesha and the Settling of Southern California, with co-author Janet Tonkovich, she explores the history of the historic Weesha Country Club, founded on the Santa Ana River in 1910 by such Orange County pioneers as Charles Wagner, Albert Bradford, John R. Gardiner, Peter Weisel and John Tuffree.

Friess is the author of six books and is renowned for her work raising awareness of and strengthening laws against child abuse. She maintains a website at www.drdonnafriess.com.

Author's Night: Ted Daugherty

🎃 Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Knott’s Scary Farm this year, Ted Dougherty’s The History of Knott’s Scary Farm tells the lavishily illustrated story of how this annual Halloween spectacular became not only a beloved local institution and financial coup for Knott’s Berry Farm, but also a game-changer for the entire theme park industry.

Dougherty is a writer, producer and director for theme park special events and attractions such as Knott’s Scary Farm, Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights and several others. This new book is theoretically a new edition of his 2004 volume on the same subject, but it is essentially a whole new book, with much more information, more photos, and an additional ten years’ worth of haunting history.

Author's Night: Eric Plunkett

Franciscan friar Junípero Serra y Ferrer led the effort to establish the California Missions. He was a key figure in the development of Alta California, was canonized in 2015, and his life remains a lively topic of debate today. Eric Plunkett is the leading authority today on Orange County’s Spanish and Mexican Eras.

His book, St. Junípero Serra and the Founders of Mission San Juan Capistrano and Orange County, uncovers never-before tales of Serra’s time in our area and sheds new light on the man and his work. Plunkett teaches in the Placentia Yorba-Linda Unified School District. A native of Placentia, he graduated with a degree in history from CSU Fullerton. He has published several articles and co-authored a book about the Portola Expedition with Phil Brigandi.

He blogs about the early history of O.C. at www.visionsofcalifornia.blogspot.com.

OCHS Author's Night: Martin A. Brower

After WWII, Orange County’s Jewish population grew from a small enclave into a vibrant community in excess of 100,000. O.C. now boasts 30 synagogues, a Jewish Community Center, one of the nation’s largest Jewish day schools, and an excellent Jewish home for the aging. In Orange County Jew: A Memoir, Martin Brower superimposes this growth over the amazing development of Orange County itself, using as a framework the story of his own 36 years as an O.C. resident and business leader.

In his other book, The Irvine Ranch: A Time for People, Brower describes the excitement, accomplishments, and conflicts of developing the Irvine Ranch into America’s largest master-planned community. Brower was Director of Public Relations for The Irvine Company from 1973 to 1985. He published the “Orange County Report” (1985-1999) and writes a real estate column for Coast magazine.

Join us for OCHS Author's Night 2023!
Thursday, 11/9 7:30pm
Trinity Episcopal Church

And stay tuned for more information on each of our featured Authors!

Dear Friend of Orange County History:

The Orange County Historical Society has been busy!

We're back to having in-person meetings with a whole host of new and interesting speakers. We just held a super-successful annual dinner meeting with author and personality George Geary. We've been back working in the Archives documenting our collections. We're looking at options for our first historical walking tour since Covid.

Membership support lets the Orange County Historical Society provide quality these education programs - speakers, interpreted hikes, in-depth Orange County history articles, monthly newsletters, oral history projects, field trips, and, of course, care for our historic collections.

HISTORY MATTERS and for over a century, we've collected, preserved, and shared the history of Orange County.

But we can't do this alone. Your membership is important to us staying with our mission. 100% of your membership donation goes directly towards funding our projects and activities.

And as a member, you get advanced info on upcoming events and often a discount.

Please become an important part of the OCHS. July 1 starts a new membership year. Please take the time to renew today by visiting our website at

Membership – Orange County Historical Society Membership Benefits Members receive our monthly County Courier newsletter (September to June) with information about scheduled upcoming events, local history articles, and more. Members also receive a copy of OCHS’ annual Orange Countiana historical journal, and discounts on some Society events. A...

A few photos from our Annual Dinner! 🙌🎉

⭐ Tonight's the Night!! ⭐

OCHS Annual Dinner

Doors open at 5:30pm.

🍷 5:30. Cash Bar/Silent Auction

🍗 6:30. Dinner

🍔. 7:30. Presentation w/Speaker George Geary

See you there!

OCHS Silent Auction items:
- A "Meet and Greet" with Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily at their Anaheim studio. Have a beer and visit with these internationally recognized Disney artists. Value: Priceless!

- Rudy Boysen’s Original Boysenberry plants for your garden. Unlike "modern" Boysenberries, these are genetically identical to the first ones hybridized by Boysen. Big flavorful berries!

- Giant, size 66 Van's tennis shoe filled with more than $400 worth of Van’s merchandise.

- A wine tasting for 20 from Total Wine!

- Can’t get enough of OCHS? A lifetime membership to the Orange County Historical Society.

These items, along with local history books, original art and much more, will be part of the silent auction at OCHS' annual dinner at the historic Fullerton Masonic Temple (1920), also featuring a fun and nostalgic presentation by TV personality George Geary. The dinner and action will be held June 8, 2023. HOWEVER, May 25th (Thursday) is the last day to register! So register soon: https://www.orangecountyhistory.org/wp/?p=1992

*Last Chance*

The last day to buy tickets for our Annual Dinner is tomorrow, May 25th.

⭐ Classic California Restaurants w/the super awesome George Geary ⭐

Thursday, June 8th

🍺 5:30. Cash Bar / Silent Auction

🍗 6:30. Dinner

Our Americana buffet includes your choice of roasted chicken and spinach-stuffed meatloaf with gravy OR vegetarian lasagna, served with green salad, mashed potatoes, mac’n’ cheese, rolls, drink station, and assorted cookies and brownies.

🍔 7:30. Presentation

Tickets: https://www.orangecountyhistory.org/wp/?p=1992

All are Welcome!

Introducing: The PHENOMENAL George Geary!!!

🎂 Award-Winning Disney Pastry Chef

⭐ 30 Years on Morning Television (WGN-TV
Chicago, NBC Tampa, Fox5 San Diego)

🍷 35-Year Culinary Travel Tour Guide
(France, New Orleans, Los Angeles)

🌷 Holland America ships Lecturer in 118
Countries

WOW!! And he'll be OUR speaker on June 8th!!

Get your Tickets by May 25

https://www.orangecountyhistory.org/wp/?p=1992

(Photo courtesy of George Geary)

At tomorrow night's OCHS general meeting about the History of Van's shoes (an OC original and world trendsetter), we will be offering copies of "Just Call Me 'Eddie'" for just $10 each.

Thanks to a donation by the family of Denny Hayden (long-time OCHS member) of scores of the 200-page, hardcover biography of Eddie Martin, one of the county's first aviators starting in the barnstorming days of the early 1900s. Eddie started what would later grow to become the Orange County Airport.

The book is lushly illustrated and normally sells for $25 if you can find it. But thanks to Denny Hayden and his family, we will have copies available.

🍔 Annual Dinner 2023: Classic California Restaurants w/Author George Geary

🍟 Join us for an evening with author, educator, TV personality, and lecturer George Geary as he presents Made in California: The California-Born Diners, Burger Joints, Restaurants & Fast Food that Changed America! (1915-1966)

* Thursday, June 8th *

🍾🥂 5:30 p.m. Silent Auction / Cash Bar

6:30 p.m. Dinner

7:30 p.m. Presentation

Tickets: https://www.orangecountyhistory.org/wp/?p=1992
(scroll down to purchase)

If you're headed over to the OC Archives Bazaar today at the Great Park, drop by the Orange County Historical Society booth where we'll have some displays and can tell you more about what we do. If you're not a member already, we have a special offer that gives you three more months extra when you join today.

The Archives Bazaar is from 11 to 4 and hosts numerous organizations, presentations, activities, and displays. The event will take place in Hangar 244 and the Palm Court Arts Complex. If you're not familiar with the park, you can enter off Sand Canyon Ave at Marine Way. Sand Canyon is an easy on/off from the 5 freeway.

People are talkin'....☕☕☕

Missed our monthly meeting? Not to worry! Our past lectures are available on YouTube.

Like and Subscribe 💗

https://www.youtube.com/

Photo: CSA Images

Author Mike Stockstill speaking about the history of Irvine Ranch’s transformation from an agricultural empire into the most successful New Town in the U.S.

Irvine Ranch History! 🌳

Michael Stockstill’s presentation will be based on the book he co-authored, 'Transforming the Irvine Ranch: Joan Irvine, William Pereira, Ray Watson, and the Big Plan' (2022).

He’ll tell the story of Irvine Ranch’s transformation from an agricultural empire into the most successful New Town in the U.S. 🌳

Thurs, 2/9. 7:30pm
Trinity Episcopal Church
2400 N. Canal St. Orange

The public is welcome!

Photo: Artist’s rendering of an early campus plan for UC Irvine. [Special Collections and Archives, UC Irvine Libraries]

🌳 History of the Irvine Ranch 🌳

Speaker: Author/Former Irvine Company Exec.
Michael Stockstill

Thursday, 2/9, 7:30pm
Trinity Episcopal Church
2400 N. Canal St, Orange

Michael will present the story of Irvine Ranch’s transformation from an agricultural empire into the most successful New Town in the U.S.

Michael is a native Californian who graduated from Humboldt State in 1971 with a degree in journalism. He moved to Orange County the following year and joined the Irvine Company in 1978.

(Photo Citation: University of California, Irvine, University Communications photographs. AS-061. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed)

🌳 For our January meeting, former Mission Viejo Mayor Robert Breton will share the history of the beautiful city he calls home. 🌳

Robert and his family moved to Mission Viejo in 1976. He has served as a member of Mission Viejo’s City Council, Planning Commission, Community Services Commission, Friends of the Library, and many other local task forces and boards.

As mayor of Mission Viejo, Breton formed the City’s Heritage Committee and assisted Doris Walker in writing its first history book, "Mission Viejo: The Ageless Land." He is currently at work on a new history of Mission Viejo, to be published soon.

🌳 Thurs., 1/12. 7:30pm
Trinity Episcopal Church
2400 N. Canal St., Orange

🎉 2023 is all about History!! 🎉

🌳 For our January meeting, former Mission Viejo Mayor Robert Breton will share the history of the beautiful city he calls home. 🌳

Robert and his family moved to Mission Viejo in 1976. He has served as a member of Mission Viejo’s City Council, Planning Commission, Community Services Commission, Friends of the Library, and many other local task forces and boards.

As mayor of Mission Viejo, Breton formed the City’s Heritage Committee and assisted Doris Walker in writing its first history book, Mission Viejo: The Ageless Land. He is currently at work on a new history of Mission Viejo, to be published soon.

🌳 Thurs., 1/12. 7:30pm
Trinity Episcopal Church
2400 N. Canal St., Orange

The public is welcome!

🌹 Photo: City Hall, copyright City of Mission
Viejo, 2022

We have a new YouTube link! In case you've missed a previous lecture or two, feel free to catch up on our OCHS channel!

https://youtube.com/