The links below lead you to a growing collection of articles and information about the rich history of Orange County, California. This collection includes previously published articles from a variety of sources (including the early publications of the Orange County Historical Society), original articles written for our Website, and reproductions of early promotional brochures and other historic publications.
Cities and Towns
- The Community of Anaheim Hills
- El Toro and Its History
- El Toro: Great for Grain Growing
- History of Laguna Beach
- A Brief History of Orange
- The Community of Peralta
- Stanton
- C.E. Utt’s recollections of early Tustin
- Col. Finley Writes Story of Early Santa Ana Water
- William Spurgeon and the Founding of Santa Ana
- E.P. Stafford’s Reminiscences of Early Santa Ana
Agriculture
- Court Case: Anaheim Water Co. vs. Semi-Tropical Water Co.
- History of Early Anaheim
- Fame for Immigrant Boy: Started Bastanchury Ranch
- Bathgate vs. Irvine
- Citrus Industry: King Citrus & Queen Valencia
- Irvine Ranch
- Sugar Beets
Business and Industry
Civic Institutions
- A Brief History of Scouting in Orange County
- A Place For Our Future: Building a Jewish Community in Yorba Linda – by Linda Rattner Nunn
Education
People and Personalities
- Judge Richard Egan of San Juan Capistrano
- The Tedford Family: A Story of Pioneer Life in Gospel Swamp (Santa Ana)
- ‘Holy Jim’ Smith
Spanish and Mexican Era
Tourism
- Dana Point promotional brochure
- The Early Years of Knott’s Berry Farm
- Laguna Beach promotional brochure