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
About Orange County
Orange County Timeline
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.
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.
Orange County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey 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.