By Mike Stone
Although the city was not founded until 1962, Villa Park has a rich history, somewhat derivative of but independent from its neighboring cities. The area has long been home to the many indigenous peoples who settled along what we now call the
Following the Mexican-American War, Alta California became part of the
All of this progress inspired the need to be better connected to the modern world. The Santa Fe Railroad finally completed its line to
The agricultural community had survived floods and droughts but the blight of 1887 was devastating to the muscat grapes grown for the popular raisin crop. This environment led to greater attention to citrus crops which were more profitable for ranchers and became the primary produce for the next century. Valencia orange groves eventually replaced the vineyards and by 1912, the Villa Park Orchards Association was packing and shipping citrus all over the world (see photo and crate label). It was the dominant landmark for years, located at Wanda Rd and Santiago Blvd, but was razed in 1983. The Central Lemon Association packing house(see crate label), formerly on the corner of Wanda Rd and Villa Park Rd, was another important element to the economic geography of Villa Park.
The orange and lemon groves have since yielded to development, but the citrus pioneers have left an enduring legacy in half-acre zoning for housing which is still iconic of the Villa Park appeal. A tribute to local history should be recognized in many of the street names such as Brewer, Nichols, Squire, Collins, Morrow, Regan, Knuth, Workman, Adams, Wulff, Abbott, Durfee, Hazel, Mary and Florence. No street has been named after singer and long-time resident , Jose Feliciano, who was probably best known for singing “Feliz Navidad” and a version of “Light My Fire”. However, his former ranch made way for the Martinique Court estates located near Lemon St. and Mesa Dr. Villa Park’s most famous son is probably actor/director/producer Kevin Costner. Baseball players Bert Blyleven, Bob Boone and Aaron Boone all have ties to Villa Park and everybody has high hopes this year for Angels rookie Mark Trumbo. However, most recently the KTLA weatherman, Henry (Wiehebrink) DiCarlo, has been putting Villa Park back on the map, so to speak. He grew up in Orange and attended Villa Park High School.
On January 2, 1962, residents voted 246 to 134 in favor of incorporation to save the community from what they felt were unwelcome zoning practices of the eastward-moving city of
Villa Park is preparing for its 50th Anniversary in 2012. The city recently revealed the official commemorative logo and selected the slogan “50’s great, let’s celebrate!” through a community contest. You can check for updates to the planned schedule of events and watch the Countdown Clock at www.villapark.org/50thbirthday/home.html . Happy Birthday Villa Park!
Villa Park Trivia
Population: 6,251(2007)- Orange County’s smallest city
Motto: Villa Park, the Hidden Jewel
City Bird: Hummingbird
City Flower: Orange Blossom
City Tree: Weeping Fig
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