Presidents Day Dance

Just in time for Abe Linkinghams Wash Day, here's a Feb. 1932 image of students at Franklin Elementary School in Santa Ana, dancing in honor of George Washington's bicentennial birthday. In my experience, it's difficult to dance the minuet on crab grass.

Huell, re-purposed buildings and genealogy

Tomorrow night (Valentine's Day), the Orange County Historical Society will host "Huell Howser in Orange County: A Valentine to California," a program remembering the ah-may-zing host of such popular programs as California's Gold, Visiting, Road Trip, and many others. You are, of course, invited to attend. The panel of speakers for the evening will be made up of folks who led Huell through their communities on various Orange County episodes, including Linda Jennings of Tustin, Stephen M. Rios of San Juan Capistrano, Cynthia Ward of Anaheim, and Phil Brigandi of Orange. Also on the panel will be Special Collections & Archives Librarian Rand Boyd, who was instrumental in bringing Huell's papers and collections to Chapman University. The program will be held Thurs., Feb. 14, 7:30pm, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2400 N. Canal St., in Orange. Hope to see you there.

Speaking of television, Jonathon Quam writes, "I am doing research for the HGTV (Home & Garden Television) shows, You Live In What?. The focus of the program is on conversion/upcycled homes (like a water tower or church that was converted into a livable space).  We're currently casting in California and I was wondering if you might have any information about homes like this in your city; or if you know of any heritage firms that do this type of design work in your area? Many times, these types of homes are built inside of long standing buildings that are distinct to the area.  I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can offer."

How 'bout it folks? If you have such a home or know of someone with such a home, drop Jonathon an email and tell him you read about it here. Off the top of my head, I can think of the water tower house in Sunset Beach. Phil Brigandi also reminded me that someone has converted a citrus packing house pre-cooler (concrete ice house) in Orange into a home. Any others in Orange County?

Scott Neal of the Brea Historical Society will present a program on the basics of genealogy at the Brea Museum, 125 W. Elm, Brea, on Feb. 23, 10am-12:30pm. The program is $15. RSVP to breamuseum@gmail.com.

Southern California Vacationland

 

I'm just posting one image (and a close-up) today, but it's cool enough to stand on its own. This "fun map" of Southern California comes from the June 1962 issue of the snappily-titled Orange County Newsmagazine of Life, Business & Industry. Click to enlarge the image. A detail from the map, focusing in on Orange County is seen below.

In an unusual twist for such maps, Newport Dunes, Forest Lawn and Santa's Village get as much attention as Disneyland. Moreover, Knott's Berry Farm seems to be the splashiest thing on the map -- which makes me wonder if they had a hand in paying the illustrator. Hmmmm....