The early to mid-twentieth century cottages in this last self-contained Southern California beachfront recreational community reflect a unique vernacular architectural design emblematic of "architecture without architects." — — Map (db m168158) HM
In early descriptions it was known as Cerrito De Las Ranas, meaning the Hill of the Frogs. In the 1890s this hill became the scene of mining excitement. Its soil composition, very red in color, had caused early American settlers to name it Red Hill. . . . — — Map (db m51966) HM
On September 22, 1779, Juan Bautista de Anza, with a party of over 200 emigrants and soldiers, set out from the presidio at Tubac, Mexico, to found San Francisco. His party reached the San Gabriel Mission on January 4, 1776, after many miles of . . . — — Map (db m224291) HM
Born October 14, 1890; graduated from West Point - 1915;
completes invasion of North Africa and directs invasion of
Sicily - 1943; appointed Supreme Commander of Allied Forces.
Directs Normandy Invasion - 1944, accepts unconditional
surrender of . . . — — Map (db m230941) HM
The 3-story flour and feed mill established by
Thomas Dillin and his sons began operation
Nov. 1, 1882. Its motive power was derived
from a turbine turned by Santa Ana River
irrigation water flowing down to the valley
below. On Sept 29, 1889, . . . — — Map (db m230936) HM
Juan Pablo Grijalva, a Spanish soldier, came to California with the Anza Expedition in 1776. On this hill he built one of the first adobes in what is now Orange County. In 1801 he petitioned for use of the land that became the Rancho Santiago de . . . — — Map (db m50040) HM
Indians gathered acorns here long before Columbus' time. In 1897, James Irvine, Jr. gave the people their long-time favorite "picnic grounds." The original 160-acre grove was known as Orange County Park until 1928. — — Map (db m94658) HM
Major Fremont and the California Battalion marched from
San Diego to join Commodore Robert F. Stockton in the
first (August 13, 1846) occupation of Los Angeles.
California's governor Pio Pico, fleeing to Mexico to
avoid capture by the . . . — — Map (db m241272) HM
Lewis Ainsworth (1829 - 1914) and his wife Persis (1837 - 1933)
chose the city of Orange as their home in 1901 after making
their fortunes panning gold in California and farming in
Kansas.
The Ainsworths raised three sons, Lewis, . . . — — Map (db m241276) HM
The Annual May Festival, a traditional celebration in the Orange community began in the 1880s. It was held in the Irvine Park area as a harvest festival in May of each year by Orange and surrounding communities. The festival and parade were later . . . — — Map (db m189680) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m241271) HM
Portola camped on bank of Santa Ana River in 1769. Jose Antonio Yorba, member of expedition, later returned to Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. El Camino Real crossed river in this vicinity. Place was designated Santa Ana by travelers, and known by . . . — — Map (db m50302) HM
Established in 1886, the plaza was for many years the local and commercial hub of Orange. The plaza historic district attained significance throughout the state as a historic landmark in 1981 and was placed on the National Register of Historic . . . — — Map (db m189682) HM
The first motorized streetcar in Orange was called "Peanut Roaster" because of its high-pitched whistle.
The parking structure you see today was built on the site of Orange's Pacific Electric Passenger & Freight Depot. Starting in 1888 with . . . — — Map (db m194724) HM
The Bank of Orange, organized in 1886 was the first bank in the city of Orange and occupied this site.
In 1887 the Bank of Orange changed its name to the National Bank of Orange.
The First National Bank of Orange, charted in April 1906, . . . — — Map (db m189681) HM
Orange's first public schoolhouse was completed here in June 1872. E. W. Squires, Amos Travis, and Elton R. Nichols, trustees for the Richland (Orange) School District had contracted for a building that was 24x26x14 feet, for the 70 pupils that were . . . — — Map (db m189677) HM
The original wooden Santa Fe Depot in Orange was constructed in 1888, the park was established in 1891. The station was replaced with a new Mediterranean Revival style depot which was dedicated on May 2, 1938.
This main line, Santa Fe . . . — — Map (db m194701) HM
The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad reached Orange in 1887, offering passenger and freight service. This building was their second depot on this site, built in 1938. To the south is the original depot park, laid out in 1891. The railroad helped . . . — — Map (db m194700) HM
Here, in 1871, the town and farm lots of Andrew Glassell IV
and Alfred B. Chapman were offered to prospective buyers by
the tract's resident agent, Captain William T. Glassell.
Agent Glassell maintained two seedling orange trees in front
of . . . — — Map (db m241275) HM
St. John’s Lutheran School,
the first parochial school
in the city of Orange, began in 1882 with the first
building being dedicated on February 11, 1883. This
building was located on a site five blocks to the west
on the corner of Almond . . . — — Map (db m241285) HM
This pioneering water project, a model of efficiency and economy, was first built of clay in 1879. After flood damage, it was rebuilt with rock and concrete in 1892. Each dam reached down to bedrock, forcing ground water to the surface where it was . . . — — Map (db m50028) HM
The Orange Plaza boundaries were established by the first survey of the site of Richland. This gift to the town, by A.S. Chapman and Andrew Glassell has been the focal point for local festivals and activities for over 100 years. After determined . . . — — Map (db m189678) HM
We the people of Orange dedicate this plaque to the spirit of the Olympic torch run efforts of the American people. Just as the torchbearers had been created by many along the way from its origination in New York City, it was greeted by a cheering . . . — — Map (db m189679) HM
Women’s Club of Orange, established 1915.
Old Towne Preservation Association.
This property is within the Old Towne Orange Historic District, placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the . . . — — Map (db m241287) HM
Steven Frank Ambriz was elected to the Orange City Council in 2002, becoming one of the youngest members of the Council in our City's history. Born and raised in Orange, Steve was a "Proud Panther" from Orange High School. An important personal . . . — — Map (db m224293) HM
This is the home of Albert Sumner Bradford, built in 1902 on his Tesoro Rancho. Bradford founded the town of Placentia, helped to bring the railroad, and was president of the Chamber of Commerce from its beginning to his death in 1933. He organized . . . — — Map (db m50005) HM
These Australian nut-producing trees are the oldest Macadamia tetraphylla in California. They were planted prior to 1890 by a local spiritualist health colony, the Societas Fraternia. Members experimented with many varieties of fruits and nuts to . . . — — Map (db m50018) HM
On the mesa one-half mile south of here the original Mission of San Juan Capistrano was founded Nov. 1, 1776.
Commemorated El Viaje De Portola April 1968 — — Map (db m188901) HM
This fossil-rich sandstone was found locally from within the Topanga Formation, which was deposited during the Miocene epoch. The fossils and sandstone were deposited in a shallow sea that once occupied this area. Fossils include clams, scallops, . . . — — Map (db m188903) HM
On September 11, 2001 Rancho Santa Margarita resident Lisa Frost was a passenger on the ill fated United Airlines Flight 175. The flight from Boston to L.A. was hijacked and crashed by terrorists into the south tower at the World Trade Center . . . — — Map (db m189861) HM WM
Once home to San Clemente's founder Ole Hanson, the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens serves as the cultural centerpiece of San Clemente and is the only regional historical center in south Orange County. In 1992, the Casa Romantica was . . . — — Map (db m188012) HM
Dedicated to the proud men and women who have put their lives on the line in order to save others. For the past 75 years, over 75,000 swimmers have been aided by these dedicated professionals. The City of San Clemente and its citizen appreciated the . . . — — Map (db m190445) HM
Two miles inland from this point, in Los Cristianitos Valley, the first Christian baptism in Alta California was performed by Padre Francisco Gómez, a member of the Portolá Expedition, in 1769. — — Map (db m145307) HM
From leftmost to rightmost panel
The Bartow House
1927
San Clemente's Pier Bowl castle was the symbol of the city. Its demolition in 1972 lead to the founding of the San Clemente Historical Society.
Pier Bowl
. . . — — Map (db m194742) HM
San Clemente Island is the southernmost of the eight California Channel islands. The 56 square miles island received its named in November 1602 when Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino sailed passed it while mapping the region. It represents . . . — — Map (db m190450) HM
Welcome to historic San Clemente Pier. The original San Clemente Municipal Fishing and Pleasure Pier was built by San Clemente city founder Ole Hanson in 1928. In 1939 and again in 1983, heavy storms severely damaged the pier making it necessary to . . . — — Map (db m190447) HM
Honor Roll of those who served from San Clemente during World War II.
Harry Gunter, Jr. ·
* William H. Stute ·
Richard M. Stute ·
L. Randall Cobb ·
David L. Gunter ·
Norman R. Adair ·
Charles A. Sites ·
Leonard K, Sites ·
Wm. E. . . . — — Map (db m190451) WM
Arley Leck married Alice Forster, great-granddaugter of Don Juan Forster, in 1917. Alice's parents Frank & Ada Forester owned much of the ranch land in the area. In 1918 the Forsters built a house on a hill overlooking the Ortega Highway across from . . . — — Map (db m188935) HM
Built in 1840 by Juan Avila as a 10 room adobe. It was destroyed by fire in 1879 and only partially rebuilt. The present restoration done in 1992 is about one-third the size of the original. — — Map (db m188917) HM
May date back to 1794. It was part of two buildings known as Hacienda Aguilar. This adobe is associated with Don Blas Aguilar, the last Alcalde (Mayor) of the Mexican period. — — Map (db m51943) HM
Built in 1894, renovated in 1974-75 as a restaurant. The original Mission style, one of the first stations to use it, was retained. The interior is so small freight and passenger cars were added, and the exterior of the platform enclosed in glass to . . . — — Map (db m149785) HM
The Forster family moved to San Juan Capistrano in 1844 when English man John Forster bought the San Juan Mission and the surrounding area at auction from Pio Pico, the last of the Mexican Governors of California. Forster, then known as Don Juan . . . — — Map (db m188910) HM
Built in 1878 in Forester City (near San Onofre). Moved to San Juan Capistrano in 1882, it has served as a general store, post office and residence. — — Map (db m148409) HM
This 1830 structure is typical of San Juan Capistrano adobes of this period; thick walls and a wood shingle roof. The house was purchased by Domingo Oyharzabal in 1880 and occupied by his family for over 100 years. — — Map (db m51939) HM
As Governor of Baja California Portola was the military leader of the Spanish expedition into Alta California, which camped near the future site of the Mission on July 23, 1769. — — Map (db m199165) HM
Yorba was one of the 66 Catalonian volunteer soldiers in the Spanish expedition, and later built the Miguel Yorba and Domingo Yorba Adobes. — — Map (db m199166) HM
Avila, "El Rico," was the original grantee of Rancho Niguel, owner of the Avila Adobe, and a first trustee for the San Juan Elementary School District in the 1850's. — — Map (db m199167) HM
Forster bought Mission San Juan Capistrano at public auction in 1844 and later owned 260,000 acres in Orange and San Diego Counties. — — Map (db m199169) HM
Neo-Victorian, built in 1883 by Richard Egan, surveyor, school trustee and justice of the peace. Rebuilt in 1898 after a fire. Known as "Harmony Hall", it served as Judge Egan's home, office and courtroom until his death in 1923. — — Map (db m51940) HM
While reading this plaque, you are facing the historic El Camino Real, also known as "the King's Highway or "The Royal Road".
Originating in 1769, the trail got its name from the Spanish monarch who directed the establishment of a chain of . . . — — Map (db m188641) HM
This El Camino Real bell was gifted by Marianne and Ray Miller. The bell signifies the importance of Mission San Juan Capistrano's place on the El Camino Real. These bells are found throughout the state as a result of an early 20th Century . . . — — Map (db m188642) HM
Esslinger building was constructed in 1939 by Dr. Paul Esslinger after he was inspired by a 1937 trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The medical building was constructed using poured-in-place concrete and is one of the best examples of Streamline . . . — — Map (db m159729) HM
A Spanish soldier station at San Juan Capistrano in the late 1700s. He was awarded a land grant in the San Juan Capistrano Area which remained in his family for 10 generations. — — Map (db m199168) HM
For Many years the Mission has been the focal point of Capistrano Valley. During the 1800's the Mission was active in it's religious and agricultural endeavors; it also maintained large herds of cattle and developed an industry of hide-curing. The . . . — — Map (db m197258) HM
The Franciscan Plaza, built in 1990, occupies a site with a long and colorful history. Beginning in the early 1800's, adobe brick homes housing notable community founders were built on these site, facing a public plaza that extended south from . . . — — Map (db m189488) HM
This monument honors Frederica and Wilhelm Stroschein. In 1887, they settled on this land and established orange groves. They and other growers in the valley provided oranges for distribution around the nation. — — Map (db m188645) HM
Built in the 1840's by Manuel Garcia, it originally had a second story over only half of the ground floor. In 1880 the remaining space was covered by a second floor and a balcony was added. It was a post office in the 1870's, a hotel from 1880 to . . . — — Map (db m149789) HM
Historic Town Center Park
Today the San Juan Capistrano down town and Mission San Juan Capistrano are situated on the site of the Juaneño village of Acjachema. History explains that in 1769 the first Spanish exploratory expedition, led . . . — — Map (db m51947) HM
Our historic farmhouse was built in 1878 and it is the oldest wooden structure in San Juan Capistrano. It used to belong to Pony Express Rider, Joel Congdon, who grew Orange County's first walnut grove. Surviving more than 130 years of social, . . . — — Map (db m197236) HM
In 1776, Father Junipero Serra founded Mission San Juan Capistrano. The land upon which Plaza Del Obispo is built was used by the mission to grow fruits and vegetables. In the 1800s, under private ownership, walnut trees were planted here. In the . . . — — Map (db m188547) HM
This valley of San Juan Capistrano is the home of the First People known as Acjachemen (Ah-hah-sha-men). The Acjachemen language has been classified by linguists as a member of the Taki branch of the Uto-Aztecan family of languages. Many autonomous . . . — — Map (db m197234) HM
Jose Dolores Garcia was a prominent citizen of San Juan Capistrano who was
of Juaneno Indian and Spanish descent. In 1862, he married Maria Refugia Yorba
at the Mission. He promised her a new and unique house. After extensive research on horseback . . . — — Map (db m188929) HM
Ortega was the scout who blazed the trails for the 1769 Spanish expedition from San Diego to Sonoma, and discovered San Francisco Bay. — — Map (db m199145) HM
Egan House was constructed in 1883 by Judge Richard Egan. Also known as “Harmony Hall”, the story-and-a-half Renaissance Revival building served as the town courthouse, as well as Judge Egan’s private residence on the upper story. The upper floor . . . — — Map (db m159731) HM
The Judge Richard Egan House was built in 1883 for one of San Juan Capistrano' most prominent citizens. Judge Egan was born in Waterford County, Ireland, in 1842, educated in New York and arrived in California in about 1866 following a trip to . . . — — Map (db m204133) HM
This historic farm acquired by the City Council of San Juan Capistrano, in cooperation with the Community Redevelopment Agency, through proceeds of the Open Space Bond Issue, approved by the citizens in April, 1990.
The Joel Congdon House, . . . — — Map (db m197235) HM
This area was
inhabited by the
Acjachemen Nation
Native Americans
before nearby Mission
San Juan Capistrano
was established.
Los Rios Street is the
oldest continually
occupied residential
neighborhood
in California.
There are 31 . . . — — Map (db m169565) HM
Like much of San Juan Capistrano, the Los Rios Street Historic District and surrounding area was home to Native Americans of the Nation before San Juan Capistrano was established in 1776. The first adobe home for Mission neophytes and soldiers were . . . — — Map (db m188923) HM
Built in the 1840's by Manuel Garcia, a Portuguese merchant, this is the only surviving Monterey style adobe in Orange County. Owned by the Oyharzabal family since 1880, its uses have included: French Hotel, a general store and the town's first . . . — — Map (db m50007) HM
The two furnaces at this site, circa 1790's, are the oldest existing metalworking structures in California. They were used for the production of wrought iron, thereby introducing the natives living here to the Metal Age. Previously, only skills in . . . — — Map (db m195045) HM
In the Tradition of the bells first brought to the Mission Basilica and the Valley of San Juan Capistrano in 1775; these eight bells were cast in 1984 (across the Sea) at the Petit and Fristen Foundry in Holland.
Donated by
ARTHUR AND GAYE . . . — — Map (db m195063) HM
The cobble foundation is a replica of the original wall foundation which surrounded the gardens and orchard of the Mission San Juan Capistrano. A portion of the foundation has been preserved beneath this replica. The garden and orchard where . . . — — Map (db m188921) HM
"Jewel of the Missions" founded on November 1, 1776 by father Junipero Serra, most renown and most beautiful of the California Missions, Quaint little Serra Chapel is California's oldest building still in use. The magnificent ruins of the Great . . . — — Map (db m149788) HM
Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776 by Saint
Serra. As the seventh of the 21 California missions, and the
only mission in Orange County, it hosts the State's most
historically significant chapel, Serra Chapel (1782) and the
ruins of . . . — — Map (db m148351) HM
The site before you and the surrounding areas have been utilized by the Juaneno Indians (Original inhabitants of the Capistrano Valley). Mission San Juan Capistrano, and residents of this community in a variety of capacities over the years. . . . — — Map (db m188549) HM
Constructed in 1794 as one of forty adobes built to house mission Indians. Named for Polonia Montanez, a nineteenth century resident. Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Dunivin. Preserved by San Juan Capistrano Historical Society. Restored in 1981 by . . . — — Map (db m148348) HM
This building façade was built in 1938 by Nick and Canuta Arbonies as a home and restaurant which replaced an earlier building that was the first train stationmaster's house and office. The Arbonies were both born in the Basque Navarra region of . . . — — Map (db m188647) HM
Situated on this hill, located between the two rivers of the Capistrano Valley, is this sacred and consecrated ground. From this hilltop, the ocean, Mission, and town can be seen. It is a perfect resting place for San Juan Capistrano's historic . . . — — Map (db m199141) HM
Built in the 1880's, this Victorian house was one of the town's first wooden buildings. It was moved from its original location across the tracks and about a block south. The building was restored in 1979. — — Map (db m149786) HM
Situated below this hill, directly below the hotel, is the Pablo Pryor Adobe-Hide House. Built perhaps as early as 1790, it is possibly the oldest standing adobe in California. During the Rancho period, it was used for storing cattle hide from the . . . — — Map (db m189449) HM
Built in 1920 for Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Romer. The building represents the Italianate style common to the commercial buildings in the early twentieth century. The Romer's operated a general merchandize store and post office. — — Map (db m188919) HM
Dick O'Neill 'Uncle Richard' to family and friends contributed significantly to the life of Capistrano Valley. A sixth generation 'Californio', he was an owner
of Rancho Mission Viejo and of the vast Rancho Santa Margarita y Flores, the 'great . . . — — Map (db m188927) HM
Built in 1794 for Feliciano Rios, a
Spanish soldier based at the San Juan
Capistrano Mission, it is the oldest
home continuously occupied by one
family in the state of California. — — Map (db m148345) HM
This jail cell was built in 1896 to serve as a holding cell for miscreants on their way to County jail. Originally located on the west side of Camino Capistrano at the intersection with Ortega Highway, it was the scene of several jailbreaks and one . . . — — Map (db m137613) HM
Founded in 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra. The seventeenth in the chain of twenty-one missions established in Alta California to Christianize and civilize the Indians. Stone church destroyed in 1812 earthquake. Expropriated during Mexican rule. . . . — — Map (db m50226) HM
Opened in 1983, designed by Michael Graves. It has been said that this building "Speaks the traditional language of the place without using all the same words." — — Map (db m188912) HM
The San Juan Elementary School, established in 1850 in what was then Los Angeles County, is the oldest school site in Orange County. This 2.5 acre plot was originally Mission San Juan Capistrano property, and was gifted by Don Juan Forster who owed . . . — — Map (db m188643) HM
San Juan Hot Springs Dance Hall originally built in 1896. Renovated by The City of San Juan Capistrano to be used as the first city recreation building. Dedicated November 15, 1978. — — Map (db m188938)
Sergeant Jose Francisco Ortega was the chief Scout for the Gaspar de Portola exploratory expedition in 1769. While exploring a route for Portola on their way to Monterey Bay, he was the first non-Native American to discover Capistrano Valley. Nearby . . . — — Map (db m188649) HM
Built in the 1790's, this is a typical example of the dozen or more one-room adobes in the Los Rios District. San Juan Capistrano was the first Mission to allow workers to live outside Mission grounds — — Map (db m188931) HM