By Jim Tortolano The pivotal factor in Orange County’s transition from an agricultural region into a sprawling suburban metropolis was the effect of World War II and its aftermath. The great conflict […]
The ghosts of military posts in OC
Floods, drought helped define OC
By Jim Tortolano We had a drought most of the year and dire warnings of a shriveled-up, parched land. Then come the predictions of an El Nino winter and much too much […]
‘Son of Red Car’ coming in 2019?
By Jim Tortolano It’s been said that if you wait long enough, everything comes back into style. If all goes according to plan – and how often does that happen? – in […]
Today’s history smells pretty bad
A three-way collision in Huntington Beach. And no, that’s not the story of a car crash. This smashup involves efforts at historical preservation, environmental concerns and public education. Geographically, it occurs in […]
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 […]
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, […]
Oil and encyclopedias
By Jim Tortolano Many people in the frigid winter regions of the Northeast dream about life on the sunny California shores. It’s been that way for over a century, and that’s the […]
The historic house on the hill
By Wayne Sherwood Any one who has ever shopped at Mother’s Market on Beach Boulevard, near Adams Avenue, has seen the beautiful Victorian house sitting on the bluff nearby. This splendid, Queen […]
The cities formerly known as ….
By Jim Tortolano It’s not just celebrities or serial spouses who change their names. Many a city – some of them big – trade in one monicker for another for a […]
