This facility preserves some of the rich cultural heritage of Orange County through its village of four historical buildings, which represent distinct eras in the early development of the Saddleback Valley and El Toro areas. This site is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Irvine Ranch Historic Park is the headquarters of OC Parks. James Irvine I originally established the ranch in the 1860s and his son James Irvine II inherited the ranch in 1892. This ranch was a leading producer of beans, barley, sugar beets and oranges. In 1910, the Los Angeles Times declared Irvine Ranch to be “one of the greatest cultivated farms in the world.” In addition to the Irvine family, the ranch housed numerous ranch employees and their families.
The ranch contains a variety of outbuildings in addition to the new Katie Wheeler Branch Library, a faithful reproduction of the original Irvine family ranch home.
The beautifully landscaped grounds of the historic home hold a botanical garden and orange grove. Built in 1898, the site offers visitors a view of life in the early days of Orange County citrus farming. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains is the home of world renowned actress Madame Helena Modjeska. The grounds, beloved by her for their resemblance to the “Forest of Arden” in the Shakespearean play, As You Like It, are being restored to recapture the ambiance of her time. Arden is designated a National Historic Landmark.
Located in the heart of Santa Ana, this structure stood witness to all of the local governmental transactions and court proceedings that shaped the early history of Orange County. The Courthouse was completely restored in 1989 and celebrated its centennial in 2001.
Ramon Peralta Adobe is one of the last remaining structures of the Peralta settlement in Santa Ana Canyon. This site was home to the pioneering families of Orange County in the mid 1800s.
Yorba Cemetery is the oldest privately established cemetery in Orange County and among the oldest in California. Established by Bernardo Yorba in 1858, it is the resting place for many of the region’s pioneers.
