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

California Wire Company

Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, May 26, 2025

1. California Wire Company Marker

Inscription.
Built for the California Wire Company 1922.
Restored by Chapman University 2014.

Erected by Old Towne Preservation Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 33° 47.391′ N, 117° 51.391′ W. Marker is in Orange, California, in Orange County. It is at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Cypress Street, on the left when traveling east on Maple Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 N Cypress Street, Orange CA 92866, 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 walking distance of this marker: Santa Fe Train Depot (about 400 feet away, measured

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

in a direct line); Santa Fe Depot And Park (about 500 feet away); Great Western Cordage (about 700 feet away); Orange Street Cars (about 700 feet away); Armor Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of First Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Torch Run (approx. ¼ mile away); May Festival (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orange.

Regarding California Wire Company. Built in 1922 at Maple Avenue and Cypress Street, it was the only insulated wire factory west of Chicago when it opened. Anaconda Copper purchased the site in 1930 and ran it until it closed in 1982. Chapman University purchased the building and restored it in 2014 to serve as the Digital Media Arts Center. The restoration project received a Governor’s Historic Preservation Award in 2018. The California Wire Company building is one of numerous industrial buildings included in the Old Towne Orange Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

California Wire Company Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, May 27, 2025

2. California Wire Company Building and Marker

The marker is near the corner, at far right.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2025, by Tatiana Zavala of Orange County, California. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 28, 2025, by Tatiana Zavala of Orange County, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.