Santa Ana: What A Surprise!

In my next post you will learn why we found ourselves in this historic town, but for now, I just have to share the pleasant surprise that is Santa Ana. WOW.

I lived one third of my life being less than 10 miles from here and never crossed under this arch telling me I was in Historic Santa Ana. I had no idea.

What I was expecting was more evidence of a modern times Latino population. While there is still a vibrant Hispanic influence, there is way more history than I had ever known.

The City of Santa Ana was established by William Spurgeon on land purchased from the old Spanish land grant, Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, in 1869. In 1877, a group of area residents were anticipating the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad. William Spurgeon, J. H. Fruit and James McFadden, three of Santa Ana's most prominent citizens, formed a corporation called the Western Development Company. The three persuaded the Southern Railroad to extend its line from its terminus at Anaheim to Santa Ana. The County of Orange was formed in 1889, with Santa Ana being chosen as the county seat of government because of its larger growth as a town, compared to those surrounding it. The Old Orange County Courthouse (to be discovered next time) was built in 1901 and the town grew into the county's main economic and political center. The surrounding old town buildings make up the Santa Ana Historical Downtown.

I think the Old Santa Ana City Hall has to be my favorite building of our brief explore.

Constructed in 1935, at a cost of $126,000, it was funded by city bonds and a Works Progress Administration (WPA) grant. It was designed by architect W. Horace Austin of Long Beach.

A prominent Southern California architect, Austin’s credits also include the Bowers Museum (next post) and numerous Long Beach commissions (including the very cool Long Beach Airport Terminal). Local contractors Ball and Honer constructed the building. This was the third City Hall to be built on the site, and replaced the 1904 building, which had been rendered unsafe after the 1933 earthquake.

The building was used as Santa Ana’s city hall until 1973. It now houses an advertising firm. Next time I'm going to try to get inside. I can only imagine its grandeur.

The back of this postcard reads, "Santa Ana is about 15 miles from where I live. It's a beautiful city. It's impossible to describe it." -Barney

This 1909 postcard accurately depicts Santa Ana's streets, over a century later. Santa Ana had long been the epicenter for what is now Orange County. With the introduction of the railroads south from Los Angeles, Santa Ana grew from a small agricultural town to a flourishing city by the early 1920s.

As we cruised through town, I was more and more delighted. This beauty, the Santora Building, was built in 1928 in the Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival.

And just down the block, the Pacific (1925) impressed with its Italian Renaissance motif.

The Spurgeon Building was built in 1913. In the early 20th century, this was considered prime real estate for important Orange County businessmen. Now it is loaded with retail type shops.

The First National Bank Building (1923) was the town’s first high rise. The attention to detail was amazing. I am so impressed.

The Fox West Coast Theater was built in 1924. Renovated in 1991, it now serves as the West Coast Tabernacle Church. It, too, is one I would love to see inside.

A town with two vintage theaters! The Yost first opened as the "Auditorium Theater" in 1913. It then was renamed the "Clune's Santa Ana Theater" the same year. It was not until Ed Yost purchased the theater that it acquired the name, Yost Theater. In 1950, the theater was leased to Luis Olivos, father of Louie Olivos Jr (actor, producer, playwrite).

The theater housed vaudeville, silent films, and talkies before it became a Mexican cinema house under the Olivos Family. Louie Olivos Jr. brought the talent of Mexican cinema to the Yost. As a rock and roll promoter, he brought Ike & Tina Turner, Sonny & Cher, Wolfman Jack, and many other celebrities to town.

Steve is standing in one of the many store fronts of the Harmy Kryhl Building (118 E. Fourth Street). Built in 1877, it is one of Santa Ana's first commercial buildings of brick construction. I can't believe it is 144 years old and still looking awesome.

I am a huge fan of inlaid tiles, permanently reminding us of what store was once there, long ago.

As we were leaving downtown, we stumbled upon one of the neatest Little Free Libraries ever.

It was located next to a very cool bookstore, too. Libro Mobile demanded more time than I could give it. Next time!

A "Go that way" turn brought us to the French Park Historic District, a 20-square-block residential district northeast of downtown. Its streets are lined with large homes built during the late 1890s and into the 1920s by some of Orange County's most prominent citizens.

"Santa Ana is a beautiful city.

Many of its streets are ornamented with graceful pepper and gum trees

and its residences, models of architectural skill.

For after all, the houses we live in are a pretty good index

of our civilization and progress."

-from History of Santa Ana City and Valley,1887

Santa Ana reflects many of the changes that were occurring throughout America and the development of the West. Industrialization, urbanization, and innovation are seen throughout the fabric that makes up Santa Ana. We can't wait to go back and explore more thoroughly. Who knew?

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