THE GEM THEATRE in Garden Grove opened in 1923 as a silent film and vaudeville venue (Tribune photo).

It’s been said of California that it has no past.

That’s so untrue and it’s especially untrue of Orange County. Its “history” dates back at least to 1776 in San Juan Capistrano – just as the United States was declaring its independence from Great Britain – and years before the founding of Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other well-known metropolises.

Anaheim was born in 1857 – four years before the outbreak of the Civil War – and Garden Grove was founded in 1874, two years before “Custer’s Last Stand.”

There’s a lot of history in the story of our communities, but how much of it survives?

Developers – and cities anxious for development – have not exactly been anxious to stand strong for preserving the buildings, churches and business districts that have historic and other significance.

But despite that there are still opportunities to keep some gems for demolition or significant alteration.

In Garden Grove, for instance, I would nominate the Gem Theatre on Main Street, the Main Street block downtown (both of which can claim 100 years of existence) and nearby Garden Grove High School (established 1921, built at current location in 1923).

Not quite as historic, but significant architecturally is the Christ (formerly Crystal) Cathedral and certainly – the Stanley Ranch and Museum operated by the Garden Grove Historical Society.

Our other cities certainly have potential nominees for the National Register of Historic Places. And – in Garden Grove – who better to take up this cause that our new Mayor, Stephanie Klopfenstein, whose family has been in town since the late 19th century?

I think we should move now to preserve our history before we Baby Boomers and Gen Xers become history ourselves.