By Jim Tortolano Huntington Beach is well known as “Surf City,” as established both by the Beach Boys and city’s own marketing efforts. But if there’s a community in Orange County that […]
Dana Point: From ships to surf to yachts
A century of prep football glory
The high school football playoffs for championships of the CIF Southern Section have concluded, continuing a tradition of crowning the best that stretches back 100 years. In fact, the very first […]
After 87 years, Zlaket’s to close
Zlaket’s Market, the oldest such business in Garden Grove and possibly in all of Orange County, will close its doors this month after 87 years. The announcement came last week that the […]
HB moves to protect historic buildings
History buffs may rejoice as the Huntington Beach City Council took action on Nov. 3 to help preserve the community’s long-standing buildings. The council voted to approve a resolution establishing the Mills […]
A new book, and old hoops team
Throw the Book at ‘Em: There’s more happening here at the Orange County Tribune than just our website. I’ve got a contract to write a book for History Press, a publisher […]
Walter was first, Walt was second
By Jim Tortolano When you think of the pioneers of the theme park business, the first names that come to mind are Disneyland and Walt Disney. But to be technically accurate, you […]
The biblical waters of Gospel Swamp
By Jim Tortolano Orange County is known for a lot of things, including some famous houses of worship. But some of the most colorful religious communities in the county were more like […]
Orange Co.’s earth-shaking terror of ’33
By Jim Tortolano September is the national Disaster Awareness Month, and in California the mishap we fear most is the earthquake. Out-of-staters are especially terrified of the prospect, which is understandable. Hurricanes, […]
Rise and fall of the KKK in Anaheim
By Jim Tortolano If you think of Anaheim today, it’s likely that the images come to mind might be Mickey Mouse or the Angels baseball team. But almost a century ago, it […]
Life and death of Japanese Deer Park
By Jim Tortolano Orange County is Ground Zero of themed amusement parks. The first one in the nation, arguably, was Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. The first major park was Anaheim’s […]
