Orange County Business History, Part 8, HIstory

Orange County Business Orange County Business HistoryHistory

Orange County Orange County Business HistoryBusiness History

Schmid CollectionSchmid Collection


Presentation byLynne Pierson Doti

andRob Selway

with the assistance of Pat Braithwaite, Jennifer Beattie, Jaclyn Catalano and Nancy Gregory

Supported by the Waltmar Foundation


Walter Schmid

1911-1995

Pioneer Orange County Rancher


Orange County has always offered business the advantages of sea, sun and fertile soil.


The 19th century entrepreneurs used the excellent weather to promote tourism and farming.

BeachBeach


The success of tourism and farming brought population growth and industrial development.

Holly sugar factoryHolly sugar factory


Early InhabitantsEarly Inhabitants

The Native Americans traded vigorously with their neighbors using seeds, skins and shell beads as money.


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.


From 1840 to 1846, the Mexican government gave enormous tracts of land to their citizens.

Map of Orange CountyMap of Orange CountyLand GrantsLand Grants


Richard Dana wrote of the 1840's trade with Orange County rancheros in Two Years Before the Mast.

Dana's shipDana's ship


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.


The settlements traded cattle hides, tallow, soap, wine and brandy with ships that came to the region.

Early TradeEarly Trade


The discovery of gold in 1848 brought people from all over the world to California.

Gold FeverGold Fever


The "rancheros" made enormous profit supplying beef to the miners.

Gold Fever Gold Fever 18491849


DroughtDrought

Drought and debts ended the rural life of the rancheros by the 1870s.


Anaheim, founded in 1856, was one of the first cities in Orange County.

Anaheim plotsAnaheim plots


Railroads came in the 1870s, bringing tourists to the beach towns and farmers' products to Los Angeles for consumption and export.

RailroadsRailroads


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


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


With a modest and diverse beginning, Orange County farming would grow into a $300 million a year industry.

Agriculture


By the 1880s, oranges had become the dominant crop.

FarmingFarming


Orange County was officially formed on March 11, 1889 and a courthouse was completed in 1901.

County County CourthouseCourthouse


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"


Several prominent local orange growers unite, forming the Southern California Fruit Exchange in 1893, shown above is the Villa Park packing house.

Sunkist Growers


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


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 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


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


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


The first successful wells were drilled in Brea in the 1880s.

County Oil County Oil


Oil provided an early 1900s boom in the economy and some "holiday spirit".

Oil Oil DerricksDerricks


Fullerton had the most valuable oil field in the country in 1913.

OilOil


Orange High (buildings are now part of Chapman University).

New schools and other public buildings followed the population growth of the early 1900s.


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


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


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.


In 1919 it only cost a nickel to ride the ferry. As of 2005, it costs 60 cents.

Balboa Island Ferry


Highways like this one in 1928 provided the first paved roads in Southern California.

Auto TransportationAuto Transportation


The Depression of the 1930s gripped the entire country, the poor built shacks in many unoccupied areas.

Shanty Shanty near near Santiago Santiago CreekCreek


Many people came to California to escape the drought and "dust bowl" in the Midwestern states.

1930's 1930's DepressionDepression


The Long Beach Earthquakeshook Orange County in 1933.

Earthquake DamageEarthquake Damage


Arnold Beckman, inventor of the pH meter, is shown here with one of his mobile air pollution lab units.

Beckman Coulter Inc. founded, 1935


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.


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.


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


Recently, the county's economy has shifted to financial, medical and technology industries.


Farms and citrus groves were quickly subdivided into 'tracts' of homes to accommodate a rising population.

1950s 1950s ResidentiaResidential l ConstructiConstructionon


1950s1950sResidential Residential ConstructionConstruction

Homes like these were completed in less than a year.


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"


The opening of Disneyland in 1955 brought international recognition to the County.

DisneylandDisneyland


In 1947, Orange County had 231 manufacturing firms. By 1959, that number had tripled.

EmploymeEmployment nt GrowthGrowth


Kwikset Locks were started by Adolf Schoepe and Karl Rhinehart in Orange County in 1948.

Employment Employment OpportunitiOpportunitieses


The Santa Ana freeway came to Orange County in 1953, linking us to Los Angeles and it’s "big city" business.

TransportationTransportation


Northrup Corporation moved to Orange County in 1951, the first aerospace company to arrive.

Aerospace Aerospace IndustryIndustry


Military AviationMilitary Aviation

Shown here is the El Toro Air Show, which symbolizes how important military aviation was from the 1940s to the 1980s.


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.


Kraft manufactured products in Buena Park after 1958.

Food Food IndustryIndustry


El Toro Military El Toro Military BaseBase

El Toro was the regional supply depot in the 1960s.


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


St. John Knits, headquartered in Irvine, started in the 1960s.

Textile Textile IndustryIndustry


Innovative community planning and landmark legal rulings furthered the development of Irvine Ranch in the 1960s.

Irvine Ranch DevelopedIrvine Ranch Developed


Leisure World

Opening first in Seal Beach in 1961 and Laguna Hills soon after.


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


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


EntertainmentEntertainment

The Angels baseball team started playing in Anaheim's new stadium in 1966.


Orange County's first major airport is dedicated in 1967; it will later be renamed John Wayne.

Orange County Airport


One of the county's first major shopping malls is constructed at Newport Center.

Fashion Island


The O.C.'s largest mall opens in Costa Mesa in 1967.

South Coast Plaza


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


In 1968 the famous tourist stop starts charging admission and becomes a theme park.

Knott’s Berry Farm


An Orange County native is elected President in 1968 and serves until 1974 bringing international business and recognition to the County.

Richard Nixon


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


Manufacturing continued to be important in the 1970s.

Fluidmaster Fluidmaster 1970s1970s


The first coffeehouse, a roastery, opened in Newport Beach in 1972. Their headquarters is now located in Irvine.

Diedrich Coffee


Many veterans and refugee Vietnamese relocate to Orange County causing population and real estate to jump in 1975.

The Vietnam War ends


Charles ChapmanCharles Chapman

Charles Chapman raised Valencia oranges and other crops, exporting the highest quality fruit to the eastern US.


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


In 1977, founder Carl N. Karcher opens his corporate headquarters in Anaheim and employs over 5,000 people in his restaurants.

Carl's Jr.


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


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


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


Emulex

An Orange County based manufacturer of storage networking infrastructure solutions is born in 1979.


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.


In the 1980s, the area around the John Wayne airport became a center of financial, medical, and high tech businesses.

Airport AreaAirport Area


Completed in 1980, the Cathedral becomes the largest religious structure in California.

Crystal Cathedral


Built in 1980, later rated by 2,000 US church leaders in 2005 as the most influential church in the U.S.

Saddleback Church


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.


Founded in Irvine in 1985, they are known for their cow-spotted computer packaging.

Gateway, Inc.


Opens in Costa Mesa in 1986.

Orange County Performing Arts Center


Completed in 1987, it coincides with American Airlines buying Air California.

Airport Expansion


Remarkably, the Toll Roads, which are maintained by the state of California, are built with virtually no taxpayer dollars.

Toll Roads


In 1989 a global specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Irvine, gets its most notable product approved by the FDA, Botox.

Allergan Inc.


Apria cashes in on the retiring baby boomer generation by providing the nation's leading home healthcare services since 1990.

Apria Healthcare Group Inc.


Founded in 1991, it is one of the world's largest semiconductor company's specializing in high-speed wireless communications.

Broadcom Corporation


A clothing manufacturer founded by Richard "Wooly" Woolcott in 1991 caters to the surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding markets of youths.

Volcom


Metrolink and Amtrak operate three lines through Orange County by 1992 and plan more to come.

Commuter Rail


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


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 Bankruptcy

1994 the County files Chapter 9, identifying a $1.5 billion investment loss.


After largest municipal bankruptcy in history, the County will emerge after only 18 months.

Orange County Bankruptcy


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


In 1997 Boeing acquires McDonnell Douglas, and employs over 26,000 people who work and live in Southern California, most in Orange County.

Boeing


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


Officially closes on July 1, 1999 and is rezoned as recreation and park property in 2002.

El Toro Marine Base


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


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


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


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

Economy & Finance

Orange County Business History, Part 8, HIstory