National Register Listings in
Orange County, California

Ainsworth, Lewis, House Anaheim Orange and Lemon Association Packing House Artz Building Backs, Ferdinand, House Balboa Inn Balboa Pavilion Bank of Balboa-Bank of America Beckman Instruments Inc. Administration Building Bixby-Bryant Ranch House Bradford, A. S., House Brea City Hall and Park Builders Exchange Building Carnegie Library Casa de Esperanza Casa Romantica Chapman Building Clark, Dr. George C., House Congdon, Joel R., House Crystal Cove Historic District Culver, C. Z., House Cypress Street Schoolhouse Dewella Apartments Downtown Santa Ana Historic Districts (North, Government/Institutional and South, Retail) Easley, Oscar, Block Ebell Society of Santa Ana Valley Egan, Richard, House Elephant Packing House Esslinger Building Farmers and Merchants Bank of Fullerton Fender's Radio Service First Baptist Church of Orange Forster, Frank A., House Fox Fullerton Theatre Complex Frances Packing House French Park Historic District Fullerton City Hall Fullerton First Methodist Episcopal Church Fullerton Odd Fellows Temple Fullerton Post Office Fullerton Union Pacific Depot Goldschmidt House Greystone Villa-Cabin 18 Griffith, Edward and America, House Hansen, George, House Harmon-McNeil House Harrison House Helme-Worthy Store and Residence Hetebrink House Hewes, David, House Hillcrest Park Hotel San Clemente Howe-Waffle House and Carriage House Hunt Center and Library Huntington Beach Elementary School Gymnasium and Plunge Huntington Beach Municipal Pier Huntington Beach Public Library on Triangle Park Irvine Bean and Growers Association Building Irvine Blacksmith Shop Irvine Park Johnson, Hugh Edgar, House Key, George, Ranch Killefer, Lydia D., School Kraemer, Samuel, Building (American Savings Bank/First National Bank) Kroger-Melrose District Lighter-than-Air Ship Hangars Los Rios Street Historic District Lovell Beach House Mariona Masonic Temple Melrose-Backs Neighborhood Houses Minter, George W., House Mission San Juan Capistrano Modjeska House Montanez Adobe Muckenthaler House Newland House Nixon, Richard, Birthplace North Beach Historic District Odd Fellows Hall Old Backs House Old Towne Orange Historic District Olive Civic Center Orange County Courthouse Orange Intermediate School-Central Grammar School Orange Union High School Pacific Electric Railway Company Depot Pacific Electric Sub-Station No. 14 Parker House Parra, Miguel, Adobe Pickwick Hotel Pierotti, Attlio and Jane, House Plaza Historic District Plaza, The Plummer, Louis, Auditorium Pomona Court and Apartments Porter-French House Rankin Building San Clemente Beach Club Santa Ana City Hall Santa Ana Fire Station Headquarters No. 1 Santa Fe Railway Passenger and Freight Depot Santora Building Seal Beach City Hall Serrano, Jose, Adobe Smith and Clark Brothers Ranch and Grounds Smith-Tuthill Funeral Parlors Southern Counties Gas Co. Spurgeon Block St. Francis by-the-Sea American Catholic Church St. John's Lutheran Church St. Michael's Episcopal Church Stanton, Phillip Ackley, House Stevens, Sherman, House Stroschein, Carl, House Truxaw-Gervais House US Post Office Station-Spurgeon Station Villa Park School VIRGINIA (sloop) Walkers Orange County Theater WILD GOOSE (yacht) Williams, Roger Y., House Woelke, John, House Wright, George L., House Yorba, Domingo Adobe and Casa Manuel Garcia Yost Theater-Ritz Hotel Young Men's Christian Association-Santa Ana-Tustin Chapter
The first McDonald's restaurant was opened in San Bernardino, California in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald. The fast-food chain went on to become one of the most successful in the world.
California random facts
Orange County, California has a rich and diverse history dating back to prehistoric times. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Tongva and Acjachemen tribes, who lived off the land and practiced agriculture. Spanish exploration and colonization began in the late 18th century, when California became a Spanish territory. Mission San Juan Capistrano was established in 1776 and became a significant center for agriculture and trade in the region.

During the Mexican period in the early 19th century, the land that now makes up Orange County was granted as ranchos to prominent Mexican families. Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, established in 1810, covered much of present-day northern Orange County and was known for its cattle and agriculture. With the American takeover of California in 1848, the area transformed once again.

The mid-19th century brought significant changes to Orange County, when waves of settlers arrived during the California Gold Rush and following the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Agricultural development boomed, with citrus groves, especially orange orchards, becoming a prominent industry. This led to the area becoming known as Orange County. Irrigation and transportation infrastructure, such as railroads and the Santa Ana River, fueled further growth and expansion.

Orange County experienced tremendous growth throughout the 20th century, fueled by its favorable climate, beautiful beaches, and proximity to Los Angeles. The area saw rapid suburbanization, the creation of new cities, and the development of iconic landmarks such as Disneyland, which opened in 1955. Today, Orange County is a vibrant and diverse region known for its thriving economy, picturesque coastal communities, and world-renowned attractions. It continues to attract residents and tourists seeking the California dream.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Orange County, California.

  • 1889 - Orange County is officially established, separating from Los Angeles County.
  • 1901 - Oil fields are discovered in the northern part of the county, leading to a boom in oil production.
  • 1920s - The county experiences significant growth, with the development of agriculture and the expansion of the citrus industry.
  • 1942 - During World War II, the U.S. military establishes various bases and facilities in Orange County.
  • 1955 - Disneyland, the iconic theme park, opens in Anaheim, becoming a major attraction and driving tourism in the region.
  • 1967 - The city of Irvine is founded and quickly grows into a major planned community.
  • 1970s-1980s - Orange County becomes known as a center for technology and innovation, with the growth of the aerospace, electronics, and computer industries.
  • 1994 - The county faces a financial crisis, becoming the largest municipality in U.S. history to file for bankruptcy.
  • 2007 - The Great Park in Irvine, a redevelopment project on the site of the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, begins development.
  • 2018 - Orange County becomes the third most populous county in California.