The Historic Egan Homestead, Laguna Beach

Egan homestead, South Laguna, circa 1910

Dr. Lee C. Hanson writes, “Tucked away on Valido Road [in South Laguna], there is an old, battered house. It has withstood the elements for over one hundred years, capturing within its walls the laughter and tears of a resilient pioneer family—the Egans [no relation to Capistrano’s Judge Richard Egan] who built the house and cultivated the land.”

Hanson notes that “the Design Review Board of Laguna Beach approved the demolition of the Egan homestead house . . . last September. An appeal will be heard by the City Council on January 13,” and that Village Laguna, the South Laguna Civic Association, and other concerned members of the community are coming forward to push for the preservation of the building. They are hoping other will join them.

Esther and Frances Egan in the bean fields in front of their home (Courtesy First American Corp.)

“The remarkable story of this pioneer family and their historic home,” is now being told by Hanson in a serialized history in Stu News Laguna, entitled "The House on Valido Road." Here are links to each chapter of the story:

1. Homestead Challenge

2. Homestead Honeymoon

3. Dwelling, House, Home

4. Farm on Fire

5. See How It Grew

6. Hearth and Home

7. Egan Family Traditions

The final installment in the series will be published January 2nd:

8. Resilience

Cody Hungerford on history of Westminster schools

Image of L. P. Webber School, circa 1957, from Cody Hungerford's report, along with an inset of the school's namesake, town founder Rev. Lemuel P. Webber.

In addition to the well-known story of Mendez v. Westminster, there's much more to know about the history of the Westminster School District. Luckily, Westminster Historical Society board member and local historian Cody Hungerford has spent the better part of a year researching that history. He's not done yet, but the first fruits of his labor are already available to the public.

Cody is a special education paraeducator at Westminster's Meairs Elementary School and is also the son of a WSD teacher and PTA member. We all have our favorite subjects in local history, and for obvious reasons, education in Westminster is one of his. 

He recently presented a report on the history of each of the district's currently active schools before the WSD Board. For his efforts he was given a commendation by District Trustee David Johnson, and -- better yet -- the Board decided to add Cody's school histories to the websites of each school. 

Cody Hungerford, presenting his report to the WSD Board, Fall 2025 

Cody tells me he's found a lot more information on the district and individual schools than it was possible to include in the limited format of his report. He's continuing his research which may well evolve into a book. Meanwhile, here are links to his short-form histories on the websites for each of the WSD's schools:

• H. B. Anderson Elementary
• Ada B. Clegg Elementary
• Cecil B. DeMille Language Academy
• Frank N. Eastwood Elementary
• Finley Computer Science Magnet
• Fay E. Fryberger Elementary
• Dr. Jessie Hayden Elementary
• Dr. Russell I. Johnson Middle School
• John F. Land Early Learning Center
• Iva Meairs Elementary
• Ray M. Schmitt Elementary
• C. Fred Schroeder College and Career Academy
• Sequoia Academy GATE Magnet Elementary
• Helen F. Stacey Middle School
• Willis H. Warner Middle School
• L. P. Webber Elementary
• Neomia B. Willmore Language Academy