Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Orange County Orange County Business HistoryBusiness History
Schmid CollectionSchmid Collection
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Presentation byLynne Pierson Doti
andRob Selway
with the assistance of Pat Braithwaite, Jennifer Beattie, Jaclyn Catalano and Nancy Gregory
Supported by the Waltmar Foundation
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Walter Schmid
1911-1995
Pioneer Orange County Rancher
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Orange County has always offered business the advantages of sea, sun and fertile soil.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The 19th century entrepreneurs used the excellent weather to promote tourism and farming.
BeachBeach
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The success of tourism and farming brought population growth and industrial development.
Holly sugar factoryHolly sugar factory
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Early InhabitantsEarly Inhabitants
The Native Americans traded vigorously with their neighbors using seeds, skins and shell beads as money.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
San Juan San Juan CapistraCapistrano no MissionMission
Europeans first saw Orange County from the sea in 1542, and in 1776 colonists led by Father Serra established a mission. It prospered and trade began.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
From 1840 to 1846, the Mexican government gave enormous tracts of land to their citizens.
Map of Orange CountyMap of Orange CountyLand GrantsLand Grants
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Richard Dana wrote of the 1840's trade with Orange County rancheros in Two Years Before the Mast.
Dana's shipDana's ship
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
RancheroRancheross
In the late 18th century, the Viceroy of New Spain granted grazing rights and land to "rancheros" willing to build a home and raise cattle.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The settlements traded cattle hides, tallow, soap, wine and brandy with ships that came to the region.
Early TradeEarly Trade
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The discovery of gold in 1848 brought people from all over the world to California.
Gold FeverGold Fever
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The "rancheros" made enormous profit supplying beef to the miners.
Gold Fever Gold Fever 18491849
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
DroughtDrought
Drought and debts ended the rural life of the rancheros by the 1870s.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Anaheim, founded in 1856, was one of the first cities in Orange County.
Anaheim plotsAnaheim plots
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Railroads came in the 1870s, bringing tourists to the beach towns and farmers' products to Los Angeles for consumption and export.
RailroadsRailroads
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
James Irvine I, who had come to California for gold, found wealth in sheep and 100,000 acres of land he began to buy in the 1860s.
Irvine Irvine RanchRanch
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
James Irvine Jr., came to his father's ranch in 1894 and developed an irrigation system that allowed the land to produce nuts, fruit and beans.
Irvine Irvine RanchRanch
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
With a modest and diverse beginning, Orange County farming would grow into a $300 million a year industry.
Agriculture
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
By the 1880s, oranges had become the dominant crop.
FarmingFarming
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Orange County was officially formed on March 11, 1889 and a courthouse was completed in 1901.
County County CourthouseCourthouse
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
There are several theories how Orange County was named. One claims it was named for Orange, California, which in turn was named for the orange groves which were once plentiful in the area.
Officially Officially "Orange County""Orange County"
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Several prominent local orange growers unite, forming the Southern California Fruit Exchange in 1893, shown above is the Villa Park packing house.
Sunkist Growers
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Swedish immigrant Carl Segerstrom buys a large lima bean farm in 1900. Much later South Coast Plaza, The Orange County Performing Arts Center, and the 405 freeway will all be built on parts of that farm.
Lima Bean Farms
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Donald P. Kennedy, grandson of the founder, expands First American into the world's largest Title Insurance company. Shown here is the Orange County Office on flag day 1979.
First American Title Insurance is born, 1889
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Orange was one of several small towns supplying the retail needs of farm families at the end of the 19th century.
City of City of OrangeOrange
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Also known as the "Red Car", which was a mass transit system in Southern California using streetcars, light rail and buses until 1961.
Pacific Electric Railway in 1901
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Built in 1906 the pier is a symbol of Orange County's success, which has attracted businesses and tourists for over 100 years.
Balboa PierBalboa Pier
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The first successful wells were drilled in Brea in the 1880s.
County Oil County Oil
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Oil provided an early 1900s boom in the economy and some "holiday spirit".
Oil Oil DerricksDerricks
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Fullerton had the most valuable oil field in the country in 1913.
OilOil
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Orange High (buildings are now part of Chapman University).
New schools and other public buildings followed the population growth of the early 1900s.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Founded in 1905, the Santa Ana based newspaper later publishes 28 daily newspapers and 23 weekly newspapers as the flagship of Freedom Communications, Inc.
The Orange County Register
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
By 1914, business consisted mostly of citrus, fruit and vegetable farms. Plus towns and services to support these industries.
World War I World War I Rally in OrangeRally in Orange
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Glenn Martin, 1917Glenn Martin, 1917
A local aviator was the first on the west coast to fly, using an area near the current airport to experiment.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
In 1919 it only cost a nickel to ride the ferry. As of 2005, it costs 60 cents.
Balboa Island Ferry
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Highways like this one in 1928 provided the first paved roads in Southern California.
Auto TransportationAuto Transportation
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The Depression of the 1930s gripped the entire country, the poor built shacks in many unoccupied areas.
Shanty Shanty near near Santiago Santiago CreekCreek
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Many people came to California to escape the drought and "dust bowl" in the Midwestern states.
1930's 1930's DepressionDepression
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The Long Beach Earthquakeshook Orange County in 1933.
Earthquake DamageEarthquake Damage
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Arnold Beckman, inventor of the pH meter, is shown here with one of his mobile air pollution lab units.
Beckman Coulter Inc. founded, 1935
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Alpha Beta Grocery Alpha Beta Grocery Store in the 1930sStore in the 1930s
Orange County suffered less in the Depression than many parts of the U.S.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Tustin Tustin Blimp Blimp FacilityFacility
During World War II, the US government requisitioned over 3,000 acres of farmland for the El Toro and Tustin military bases.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Many soldiers passed through the county on their way to the war. After the war, many former soldiers came here to raise families.
Santa Ana Army Air BaseSanta Ana Army Air Base
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Recently, the county's economy has shifted to financial, medical and technology industries.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Farms and citrus groves were quickly subdivided into 'tracts' of homes to accommodate a rising population.
1950s 1950s ResidentiaResidential l ConstructiConstructionon
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
1950s1950sResidential Residential ConstructionConstruction
Homes like these were completed in less than a year.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
With the influx of people to Orange County, the demand for food, employment, entertainment, and services skyrocketed.
The 1950s The 1950s "People "People Boom"Boom"
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The opening of Disneyland in 1955 brought international recognition to the County.
DisneylandDisneyland
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
In 1947, Orange County had 231 manufacturing firms. By 1959, that number had tripled.
EmploymeEmployment nt GrowthGrowth
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Kwikset Locks were started by Adolf Schoepe and Karl Rhinehart in Orange County in 1948.
Employment Employment OpportunitiOpportunitieses
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The Santa Ana freeway came to Orange County in 1953, linking us to Los Angeles and it’s "big city" business.
TransportationTransportation
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Northrup Corporation moved to Orange County in 1951, the first aerospace company to arrive.
Aerospace Aerospace IndustryIndustry
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Military AviationMilitary Aviation
Shown here is the El Toro Air Show, which symbolizes how important military aviation was from the 1940s to the 1980s.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
William Lyon Homes
General William Lyon joins his father and brother to build homes for the returning G.I.s of WWII in 1954. Shown here is one of their more modern developments.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Kraft manufactured products in Buena Park after 1958.
Food Food IndustryIndustry
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
El Toro Military El Toro Military BaseBase
El Toro was the regional supply depot in the 1960s.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Due to rise in land and water costs in the 1960s, Orange County switched from oranges and lima beans to nursery stock & strawberries.
The Agriculture Transition
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
St. John Knits, headquartered in Irvine, started in the 1960s.
Textile Textile IndustryIndustry
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Innovative community planning and landmark legal rulings furthered the development of Irvine Ranch in the 1960s.
Irvine Ranch DevelopedIrvine Ranch Developed
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Leisure World
Opening first in Seal Beach in 1961 and Laguna Hills soon after.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Founded in 1961, techniques that owner Gordon "Grubby" Clark perfected will later corner 90 percent of the market for polyester surfboards by producing as many as 1,000 a day.
Clark Foam
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Leo Fender's guitar company is sold to CBS in 1965, and grows into one of the most widely recognized manufacturers of electric guitars and amplifiers in the world.
Fender Guitars
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
EntertainmentEntertainment
The Angels baseball team started playing in Anaheim's new stadium in 1966.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Orange County's first major airport is dedicated in 1967; it will later be renamed John Wayne.
Orange County Airport
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
One of the county's first major shopping malls is constructed at Newport Center.
Fashion Island
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The O.C.'s largest mall opens in Costa Mesa in 1967.
South Coast Plaza
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
In 1967, the international manufacturer of ceramics products, known for their body armor, is incorporated in Costa Mesa.
Ceradyne
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistoryOrange County Entrepreneur Orange County Entrepreneur Hall of FameHall of Fame
The amusement park started when Walter bought ghost town shacks to amuse the customers waiting in line for chicken dinners.
Knott's Knott's Berry FarmBerry Farm
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
In 1968 the famous tourist stop starts charging admission and becomes a theme park.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
An Orange County native is elected President in 1968 and serves until 1974 bringing international business and recognition to the County.
Richard Nixon
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Marie Callender and her son Don expand the legendary pie business into full-service restaurants, with the first restaurant opening in Orange.
Marie Callender's
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Manufacturing continued to be important in the 1970s.
Fluidmaster Fluidmaster 1970s1970s
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The first coffeehouse, a roastery, opened in Newport Beach in 1972. Their headquarters is now located in Irvine.
Diedrich Coffee
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Many veterans and refugee Vietnamese relocate to Orange County causing population and real estate to jump in 1975.
The Vietnam War ends
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Charles ChapmanCharles Chapman
Charles Chapman raised Valencia oranges and other crops, exporting the highest quality fruit to the eastern US.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Founded by Jim Jannard in 1975, Oakley is an eyewear company known mostly for high end sunglasses and ski goggles headquartered in Foothill Ranch.
Oakley
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
In 1977, founder Carl N. Karcher opens his corporate headquarters in Anaheim and employs over 5,000 people in his restaurants.
Carl's Jr.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
The Fluor Corporation, a leading international construction and maintenance contractor, acquires Daniel International Corporation in 1977 making its new headquarters in Irvine.
Fluor BuildingFluor Building
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
After graduating from Chapman University in 1959, George Argyros began buying real estate and building apartments, gas stations and office space for the growing population.
George L. ArgyrosGeorge L. Argyros
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
As the pace of development slowed, he diversified. At various times an airline, a baseball team, a billing service and a dog house manufacturer benefited from his entrepreneurial skills. He served the US as Ambassador to Spain.
George L. ArgyrosGeorge L. Argyros
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Emulex
An Orange County based manufacturer of storage networking infrastructure solutions is born in 1979.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
A distributor of IT products and services worldwide is founded by Bronson Ingram in 1979 and now ranks 72 on the Fortune 500.
Ingram Micro Inc.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
In the 1980s, the area around the John Wayne airport became a center of financial, medical, and high tech businesses.
Airport AreaAirport Area
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Completed in 1980, the Cathedral becomes the largest religious structure in California.
Crystal Cathedral
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Built in 1980, later rated by 2,000 US church leaders in 2005 as the most influential church in the U.S.
Saddleback Church
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
In 1985, The Orange County Register wins its first Pulitzer Prize and decides what to call itself after going through names such as, The Santa Ana Daily Register, The Santa Ana Register, and The Register.
Freedom Communications, Inc.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Founded in Irvine in 1985, they are known for their cow-spotted computer packaging.
Gateway, Inc.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Opens in Costa Mesa in 1986.
Orange County Performing Arts Center
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Completed in 1987, it coincides with American Airlines buying Air California.
Airport Expansion
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Remarkably, the Toll Roads, which are maintained by the state of California, are built with virtually no taxpayer dollars.
Toll Roads
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
In 1989 a global specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Irvine, gets its most notable product approved by the FDA, Botox.
Allergan Inc.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Apria cashes in on the retiring baby boomer generation by providing the nation's leading home healthcare services since 1990.
Apria Healthcare Group Inc.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Founded in 1991, it is one of the world's largest semiconductor company's specializing in high-speed wireless communications.
Broadcom Corporation
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
A clothing manufacturer founded by Richard "Wooly" Woolcott in 1991 caters to the surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding markets of youths.
Volcom
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Metrolink and Amtrak operate three lines through Orange County by 1992 and plan more to come.
Commuter Rail
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Disney is awarded a National Hockey League expansion team to be called "The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim", debuting in 1993.
The Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
In 1993 the Federal Government announces the closure, sparking re-use controversy that lasts for several years.
El Toro Marine Corps Air Station
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Orange County Bankruptcy
1994 the County files Chapter 9, identifying a $1.5 billion investment loss.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
After largest municipal bankruptcy in history, the County will emerge after only 18 months.
Orange County Bankruptcy
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
In 1996 Disney gains an ownership stake in Major League Baseball, a year later, the team changes its name to the Anaheim Angels.
The California Angels
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
In 1997 Boeing acquires McDonnell Douglas, and employs over 26,000 people who work and live in Southern California, most in Orange County.
Boeing
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Shut down in 1997, built as a blimp base in 1942, it functioned as a helicopter base for the majority of its service.
Marine Corp Air Station Tustin
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Officially closes on July 1, 1999 and is rezoned as recreation and park property in 2002.
El Toro Marine Base
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Lockheed Martin wins a $260 million 11-year contract to provide application development and support the O.C. data center in 2000.
County Telecommunications Upgrade
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
As of the 2005 census, 3,056,865 people make their home in the second largest county in California where the suns shines 80% of the year, there is 42 miles of sandy beaches, 30,000 acres of park land, and 34 cities.
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistoryThe value of land in Orange County has been increasing every year since the county’s birth.
Orange County Land Values As of 2000
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
Measured by Average Sales Revenue per Parcel
Aliso Viejo* Anaheim Brea Buena Park Costa Mesa
Coto De Caza* Cypress Dana Point Foothill Ranch* Fountain Valley
Fullerton Garden Grove Huntington Beach Irvine
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Population has also been steadily increasing for many years.
Orange County Population Growth
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
703,925
1,421,233
1,932,709
2,410,556
2,846,289
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
Year
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistoryOrange County real estate has gone through its ups and downs, mostly ups.
Cost of Homes in Orange County
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
1988-2005
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistoryGross County Product (GCP) was forecast to reach $160.7 billion in 2005. In 2002 it was $127 billion ranking 16th in the world ahead of countries such as Ireland, Thailand, and Greece.
Orange County Median Incomes
5%4%9%10%
14%
20%14%
14%
5%5%
Less than $9,999 $10,000 - $14,999 $15,000 - $24,999 $25,000 - $34,999
$35,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $74,999 $75,000 - $99,999 $100,000 - $149,999
$150,000 - $199,999 $200,000 and above
Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory
Some photos courtesy of:
Boeing CorporationFirst American CorporationOld Courthouse Museum R.C. Hobbs CompanySanta Ana libraryToyota of Orange
Special Thanks toDr. Shauna Farley and the Waltmar Foundation
andDr. Lynne Pierson Doti