Category: Events – Annual

History Hike: Flores Peak

2024, Archive, Events - Annual
Flores Peak
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia

4/12/24- This hike is full!

Join local historian, Eric Plunkett on a hike to the top of Flores Peak (California Historical Landmark #225) located in the beautiful confluence of Harding and Modjeska Canyons. Flores Peak rises 1,834 feet tall and is named for notorious criminal Juan Flores. In 1857 Flores and his gang escaped from Los Angeles after killing Sheriff James Barton and three of his deputies and hid out on top of this peak. It is an incredible story that includes Flores’ escape down the steep cliff of Flores Peak on horseback and his eventual capture by a Los Angeles posse.

The route is 1.5 miles in length with an elevation gain of 465’ and considered a moderate to strenuous climb. The trail is clearly marked; in addition, there are some steep sections with loose dirt. The entire hike should take about 2-2.5 hours including top of the mountain historical interpretation. If you went on the last History Hike in Weir Canyon, this will be similar.

You’ll need to complete and submit a liability waiver (sent with your confirmation) in order to participate.

**There are no restrooms on this route.**

Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024 (if it rains the hike will be held on April 27th)

Meet at 8:30 a.m. Hike leaves promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Additional information (directions, parking meeting location, liability waiver) will be provided as part of your email confirmation. The hike is limited to 20 vehicles max due to private residence parking limitations. Carpooling is strongly advised!

This hike is recommended for ages 13+.

HIKE IS FULL as of 4/12/24 (if you register now you are on a waiting list).  Priority will be given to OCHS members. To register for this hike, please follow this link: http://tinyurl.com/OCHSFlores

Any other questions, please contact: orangecountyhistory@gmail.com

Let’s Celebrate Joseph E. Pleasants’ Birthday Together!

Archive, Events - Annual

Judge Pleasants — from UC Irvine, Orange County Regional History Collection (date unknown)

 Rescheduled for JULY 27th See below! Those who signed up for original  March 30th will be contacted for first opportunity to register for the July 27th date.

Who, you may ask?

Judge J. E. Pleasants – farmer, rancher, homesteader, beekeeper, and the original property owner of what is now known as Arden. Moreover, Pleasants was one of the founders of the Orange County Historical Society.

In honor of his 185th birthday, please join us as we celebrate him with a presentation about his life, provided by OCHS president Chris Jepsen, tours of the property, including his original pioneer cottage, Arden—as envisioned and built by Madame Modjeska and her husband, Count Bozenta—birthday cake, and a group photograph of our attending membership, recreating the well-known 1921 OCHS photo seen below.

Orange County Historical Society at Arden, May 1921
“At the historic home of Helena Modjeska in what is now called Modjeska Canyon.“

  • Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 a.m. (gates open at 9:45 a.m., program begins at 10:30 a.m.) – 12:45 p.m.
  • Location: Arden, Modjeska Canyon
  • Cost: FREE Complimentary shuttle bus between parking lot and Arden for OCHS members. There will be a $15 charge for non-member riders on the shuttle.

You MUST be registered to attend and must check-in at the parking lot on the day of the event.

Confirmation emails will include all pertinent information (location of parking lot, etc.) and will be mailed after reservations (and payment) have been received.

For more information, please contact: activities@orangecountyhistory.org

Everyone who plans on attending should register individually via the link below.

To register:  Click Here For Pleasants Registeration

Acknowledging our Donors, Volunteers, and the OCHS Board of Directors

Archive, Events - Annual

We wish to acknowledge our generous donors who contributed to making our Annual Dinner’s Silent Auction so successful. Thank you for supporting our mission in promoting and making available Orange County history.

Total Wine and More                                     Claudia and Ken Horn

Arthur and Debra Hansen                            In-n-Out Burger

Laguna Art Museum                                       McDonald’s

Mission San Juan Capistrano                      Cassandra Radcliff

Trader Joe’s, Orange                                     Lauren Luu

Village Inn Restaurant                                  Haunted Orange County

Boysen Berry Farm                                        Barbara Ann Burns

Todos Santos                                                   Mike Klewer

Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily                      Rosa Damian

Van’s Shoes                                                     Ra Yoga

Art by Melinda Hagman                              Guy Ball

Janice Munemitsu                                          Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade

Heritage Museum of Orange County       Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society

A huge thank you to those who have helped us throughout the year and to those volunteers, in addition to our Board, who have contributed to making June’s annual dinner possible, including:  Ellen Bell, Irene Chinn, Tina Davidson, Carlota Haider, Evan Haynes, Delores Kreutel, and Monica Ortez.

And, lastly, many thanks to our board of directors, Guy Ball, Phil Chinn, Aida Cuevas, Tracy Falk, Stephanie George, Chris Jepsen, Mike Klewer, Daniel Kreutel, Emily Olson, Alan Ray, and Lynne Yauger, who tirelessly work toward all that the Society accomplishes.

Annual Dinner for 2023: Classic California Restaurants with author/lecturer George Geary: June 8th, 2023! SOLD OUT!

Archive, Events - Annual

 

June 8, 2023 at Spring Field Banquet Center, 501 N. Harbor, Fullerton (The former Fullerton Masonic Temple — 1920, Spanish Revival)

Social Hour / Silent Auction / Cash Bar: 5:30 p.m.

Dinner: 6:30 p.m.

Presentation: 7:30 p.m. 

Join us for an evening with author, educator, TV personality, and lecturer George Geary as he presents Made in California: The California-Born Diners, Burger Joints, Restaurants & Fast Food that Changed America (1915-1966). 

California has long been at the forefront of food. Car culture and our fast pace of living resulted in fast-food restaurants, coffee shops, diners, and other casual chains. Most were born in Southern California, some were born in Orange County, and many made O.C. their headquarters. Learn about the entrepreneurs, the buildings, and foods that made these places famous. 

George was an award-winning pastry chef for the Walt Disney Co. for ten years. Since then, he’s celebrated his 29th year in morning television on L.A. stations, WGN-TV Chicago, NBC Tampa, and Fox5 San Diego. He lectured for eight years aboard Holland America ships in 118 countries. For 35 years, he’s conducted food tours of major cities in America and Europe. 

Our Americana buffet includes your choice of roasted chicken and spinach-stuffed meatloaf with gravy OR vegetarian lasagna, served with green salad, mashed potatoes, mac’n’ cheese, rolls, drink station, and assorted cookies and brownies. This event is open to members and non-members alike, so bring your friends.

SOLD OUT- no more reservations taken!

NO June Monthly meeting or Annual Dinner

2022, Archive, Events - Annual, Events - Monthly
The Orange County Historical Society regrets to let you know that our 2022 June Annual Dinner has been cancelled. If you’re already registered, you will be reimbursed.
We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to seeing you at our September 8th meeting at Sherman Gardens. More information will be shared later, but our speaker will be Riverside County Historian Steve Lech, speaking about the history of the Ortega Highway.

2022 Annual Dinner Cancelled

Archive, Events - Annual

The Orange County Historical Society regrets to let you know that our 2022 June Annual Dinner has been cancelled. If you’re already registered, you will be reimbursed.


We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to seeing you at our September 8th meeting at Sherman Gardens. More information will be shared later, but our speaker will be Riverside County Historian Steve Lech, speaking about the history of the Ortega Highway.

History Hike: Weir Canyon – From Indians to Missions, from Rancheros to Bandits

2022, Archive, Events - Annual

Join Orange County Historian Eric Plunkett on a hike that explores several sites in Weir Canyon — in the hills above Anaheim and Orange. Once home to an Indian village, traveled by vaqueros from the Yorba and Peralta family ranchos, and perhaps used as a hideout by bandits, Eric will offer interpretations of the former Indian village and archaeological site, the missionization of the Indians in the village and the rise of the rancho era, and the American Era and the rise of bandit gangs – the story of Juan Flores being captured at the mouth of the canyon.

The route is 2.5 miles in length with an elevation gain of 600’ and considered a moderate climb. The trail is clearly marked; in addition, there are some steep sections with loose dirt. The entire loop should take about 1.5-2 hours.

You’ll need to complete and submit a liability waiver (sent with your confirmation) in order to participate.

**There are no restrooms on this route.**

Date: April 23, 2022

Meet at 8:45 a.m. Hike leaves promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Additional information (directions, parking meeting location, liability waiver) will be provided as part of your email confirmation.

This hike is recommended for ages 13+.

Priority will be given to OCHS members. To register for this hike, please follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/OCHSWeir.

Any other questions, please contact: hikes@orangecountyhistory.org

Orange County History Roundup

Archive, Events - Annual

The Orange County Historical Society, in cooperation with
Heritage Museum of Orange County presents:

Orange County History Roundup

Saturday, June 8, 2019
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Heritage Museum of Orange County

  • A chance to interact with costumed interpreters, reenactors, historical societies, and genealogical societies.

  • Tours of the H. Clay Kellogg House
  • Orange County History Talks
  • Storyteller Corners (hear about OC history in their own words)
  • Live music, presented by Lilies of the West string band. 
  • Open House at the OCHS Archives
  • Artist on the Go, silhouette artist Leslie Stone
  • Nature Tours by Orange County naturalists
  • Food Trucks
  • Fruit and vegetables from the Museum’s Farm

                            

For additional information, email roundup@orangecountyhistory.org   Download the Flyer! OC Roundup Flyer

This is a free event open to the public, part of the Centennial Celebration of the Orange County Historical Society (1919-2019).

250th Anniversary Portolá Trek

Archive, Events - Annual

THIS TOUR IS FULL! If you’d like to be put on a waiting list, please let us know via email.

Saturday, July 27, 2019

In 1769, Captain Gaspar de Portolá led the first Spanish overland expedition through what is now Orange County. In honor of this important anniversary, the Orange County Historical Society will present a guided bus tour along the Portolá route featuring stops at points along the trail and talks by local historians. The cost for the tour (including lunch—options are available—and a souvenir booklet) will be $80 for Orange County Historical Society members and $90 for non-members.

The tour starts in Tustin at 9:00 a.m. and will return to the same location about 3:30 p.m. Expect some walking and standing (30 minutes). Sign up by completing the form found here , or you can sign up and pay via Paypal below.  (You do NOT need to have a PayPal account to use this option!)

You will receive an email confirming your reservation and all additional information regarding where to meet and park.  No refunds will be available after May 1, 2019. For more information, please email us at 2019Portola@gmail.com.

To purchase tickets for multiple people, first add the ticket for your Primary Registrant to the cart, then return to this page before completing your purchase and add additional tickets for the remainder of your party.

THIS TOUR IS FULL. If you’d like to be put on a waiting list, please email us at the address above.