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

John Gardiner Building

— City of Fullerton Local Landmark —

Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, May 17, 2025

1. John Gardiner Building Marker

Inscription.
City of Fullerton Local Landmark No. 86.
John Gardiner Building.
Built Circa 1925.

Erected 2011 by Fullerton Heritage. (Marker Number 86.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 33° 52.164′ N, 117° 55.524′ W. Marker is in Fullerton, California, in Orange County. It is on W Santa Fe Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Front of the building of Heroes Restaurant/Bar. There is an identical marker on the north side (back side) of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 W Santa Fe 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, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: Ellingson Building (a few steps from this marker); Fullerton's Oldest Drinking Establishment (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Pacific Depot (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Odd Fellows Lodge (about 600 feet away); Elephant Packing House (about 800 feet away); Santa Fe Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Leo Fender Factory (approx. 0.2 miles away); Schumacher Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fullerton.

Also see . . . Fullerton Heritage: Early 20th Century Commercial. From Fullerton Heritage website

From 1918 to 1925, Fullerton experienced new commercial construction with major buildings that largely defined the Central Business District. As the main street, Spadra Road (now Harbor Boulevard) was the focus of much of this construction, but less important industrial and service structures filled the side streets, particularly, W. Santa Fe Avenue.

Also, during this period less important industrial and service structures filled in the town's side streets. With a less prominent location, these building's façades
Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, May 17, 2025

2. John Gardiner Building and Marker
were kept simple and unpretentious. Among those that still stand today with adaptive reuse include ...the John Reeder Gardiner Building at 125 W. Santa Fe Avenue (ca 1926), now the home of Heroes Bar and Grill

(Submitted on May 23, 2025, by Tatiana Zavala of Orange County, California.)

Additional keywords. Heroes Restaurant

Back side (north side) of Heroes, facing Roscoes image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, May 17, 2025

3. Back side (north side) of Heroes, facing Roscoes

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2025, by Tatiana Zavala of Orange County, California. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 23, 2025, by Tatiana Zavala of Orange County, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.