Orange in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Octagon House

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 1, 2024

1. Octagon House Marker

Inscription.
In 1870 Joel B. Parker, his wife, Mary, and daughter Ida came to Orange County. They purchased acreage from the Leandro Serrano allotment and completed the Octagon House in 1876. This site faced onto Villa Park Road (Katella). Cement used in construction was hauled from Colton in Mr. Parker’s freight wagons. Furniture for the house was carried in sailing ships around Cape Horn. The house had a third story tower room from which the family could enjoy a 360° view of the home and ranch. The Octagon House was a tourist attraction for many years, but it fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1965.

Erected 1976 by First National Bank of Orange County; Orange Kiwanis Club; Katella School Association; and Orange Bicentennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 33° 48.639′ N, 117° 49.473′ W. Marker is in Orange, California, in Orange County. It is at the intersection of Handy Street and Katella Avenue on Handy Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1401 N Handy St, Orange CA 92867, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Grijalva Adobe Site (approx. 1.4 miles away); First Site of the Olive Mill

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(approx. 2 miles away); Dwight David Eisenhower (approx. 2 miles away); Orange's First Public Schoohouse (approx. 2.1 miles away); Lewis and Persis Ainsworth (approx. 2.1 miles away); Woman’s Club of Orange (approx. 2.2 miles away); City of Orange Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away); St. John’s Lutheran School (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orange.

More about this marker. Located at the southeast corner of the Orange Unified School District offices property (formerly Katella Elementary School).

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 1, 2024

2. Octagon House Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 17, 2024

3. Octagon House Marker

Octagon House - 1962 image. Click for full size.

courtesy Santa Ana Public Library

4. Octagon House - 1962

Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,427 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 17, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on April 1, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4. submitted on February 17, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.