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

Elephant Packing House

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2024

1. Elephant Packing House Marker

Inscription.
This property - Elephant Packing House - has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

Erected 1983 by United States Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 33° 52.047′ N, 117° 55.588′ W. Marker is in Fullerton, California, in Orange County. It is at the intersection of Truslow Avenue and Malden Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Truslow Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 W Truslow Ave, Fullerton CA 92832, 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,

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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 walking distance of this marker: John Gardiner Building (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ellingson Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fullerton's Oldest Drinking Establishment (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Pacific Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Santa Fe Depot (approx. ¼ mile away); Odd Fellows Lodge (approx. ¼ mile away); Amerige Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Amerige Brothers Realty Office (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fullerton.

Also see . . .
1. Elephant Packing House - Wikipedia. Excerpt:

The Elephant Packing House was built in 1924. Valencia oranges were packed here, from the abundant orchards that then dominated the county. William Wolfskill had developed and extensively planted the Valencia orange here in the 19th century. It is one of the last remaining examples of a citrus packing house in Fullerton.

The packing house was built by the Union Pacific Railway to complement its neighboring train station. The 23,000-square-foot
Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Elephant Packing House and Marker
The marker is to the left of the door.
packing house first shipped oranges under the Elephant label, and was later leased by grower C.C. Chapman to pack his Old Mission brand oranges.
The railway station has since been relocated.

The packing house design is Mission Revival Style, with Spanish Colonial Revival Style architectural elements. The main building measures 165 feet by 70 feet, with one story above grade and a full basement. The interior is lighted by two sawtooth roof monitors. The north side faces onto railroad tracks that run immediately adjacent to the packing house.

(Submitted on February 25, 2024.)

2. National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. Excerpt:

The Elephant Packing House, built in 1924 in the Mission Revival style, retains all of its original architectural features. It is the only remaining Mission style packing house in Fullerton. One of the most distinguishing features of the single-story structure is the sawtooth roof with skylights.

(Submitted on February 25, 2024.)

Elephant Packing House - circa 1940 image. Click for full size.

courtesy Fullerton Public Library

3. Elephant Packing House - circa 1940

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 395 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 25, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.