O.C. Q&A: Fullerton Edition

Once available in Fullerton: Nixonburger! (Hold the government)

Q:  How did Fullerton end up with a state university? 

A:  Nineteen sites bid to become Orange County State College's home when the state, recognizing our region's growing population, authorized its creation in 1957. Anaheim had no community college to supplement lower division classes. Huntington Beach underwhelmed a state senator whose car had to be extricated from mud by a tractor during a site visit. Ultimately, the enthusiasm of Fullerton's community leaders won the day.

Classes began in Fall 1959 at Sunny Hills High School before moving on campus the next semester. It later changed its name to Orange State College, then California State College at Fullerton, and finally California State University Fullerton. In the 1970s, people still called it "Cal State Who," but today CSUF is the largest student body of the 23 Cal State campuses. 

Q:  I've seen references to a Nixon's Restaurant in Fullerton. Any connection to the former president?

A:  Between 1952 and 1956, Richard Nixon's brother, F. Donald Nixon, opened family restaurants in Whittier, Fullerton and Anaheim. Their mascot was a thrifty Scotsman, and Nixon Burgers were 20 cents. Strangely, Howard Hughes loaned the chain $205,000 to (unsuccessfully) keep it out of bankruptcy. Accusations of the Vice President favoring Hughes with government contracts dogged later campaigns. Later, President Nixon -- wary of Don's sketchy business practices -- found him a "safe" job at the Marriott Corp. But he also wiretapped Don's phone, to keep tabs on him. 

By the way, there was also a Watergate Motel in Anaheim, but that's a different story for another time.

Q:  Has any Orange Countian had more children than “Octomom?”

A:  Fullerton native and former La Habra resident Nadya Suleman's octuplets gained her international attention in 2009 and brought her total kiddie count to fourteen. But she's nowhere near being the record holder. 

When Romulo Delsi of Stanton died in his early nineties in 1932, he had outlived most of his forty-seven children. That may not be the record either, but it seems likely. If you can beat that, let me know.