Exploring Orange County: INTRODUCTION

In this blog we are going to explore my birthplace and current place of residence, Orange County! There's so much more to Orange County than you see on reality television and shows such as The OC. It is a great place to raise a family and explore new things to do. Orange County is home to a little over 3 million people. Orange County has a vast array of attractions such as the many beaches as well as the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest.

As far back as historians have researched, Orange County was known to be home to numerous Native American tribes. Native American groups that were here before Europeans include the Tongva, Juaneño, and the Luiseño. In 1769, Junipero Serra set out to explore the areas around present-day Orange County. Gaspar de Portolá led the specific expedition that specified what encompasses Orange County. Junipero Serra set up the first European settlement Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1776. The mission was named after Giovanni da Capistrano, a priest who was alive in 15th century Italy. Mission San Juan Capistrano is home to California's oldest residential neighborhood. It is also the oldest building that remains actively used in the states of California. The first winery in all of California was also established in San Juan Capistrano at the mission. There has been a long standing difference of facts when it comes to deciding whether or not San Juan Capistrano was the first town in California. There are credible sources that say both San Diego and San Juan Capistrano are the oldest and first cities in California.

Following the establishment of Mission San Juan Capistrano, more Spaniards entered the area and made names for themselves. José Manuel Nieto and José Antonio Yorba were among those that came with Junipero Serra. They were given Rancho Los Nietos and Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. Many other ranches in Orange County were granted to settlers by the Mexican government throughout the 1800s. in the 1860s, there was a massive drought that discouraged continuing the prevalent cattle industry that was present on many ranches.

Santiago Canyon

Loma Ridge, Irvine

Following the drought that halted the fast growing cattle industry on the ranches, the Mexican government granted land to non-Mexicans. James Irvine and Richard O'Neill received large pieces of land as a result of this. Chances are that you have probably heard of James Irvine and his legacy that followed; e.g. Irvine, the Irvine Company, Irvine Ranch, etc. Richard O'Neill is less widely known, but also had a significant impact on Orange County history. One of Orange County most visited parks, O'Neill Park, gets its name from him.

Live Oak Canyon Rd (near O'Neill Regional Park)

Irvine Family Home, Irvine Ranch

Pacific Coast Highway, El Moro/Crystal Cove 1930

CHAPTER THREE: HISTORICAL SETTLEMENT OF ORANGE COUNTY

Mission San Juan Capistrano; Source: Wikipedia

Blue Light Mine, Silverado Canyon; Source: OC Archives

Although Orange County is relatively new compared to the rest of the world, it has a rich history behind it. In the 23 years I've been alive, I've learned so much about my surroundings and how they have come to be what they are now.

In 1878, silver was discovered in the Santa Ana Mountains in Orange County. Following the discovery, many people traveled from around the United States to what is now known as Silverado (hence the name) and mined in the Blue Light Mine. If you ever have the chance to travel to Silverado, many of the old structures and remnants of the mines can still be found.