I have lived in Orange County since the late 1970’s. I loved growing up in an area where there were fields of orange groves on almost every corner. I took it for granted growing up. I think we all did who lived here.
As the years past, I “somewhat” noticed that more buildings were popping up where there had once been orange groves. I did not realize completely to what extent how many orange groves were gone until I set out to do this shoot. They are a mere ghost of what once was.
About six months ago I came up with a plan to take photos of a little fairy girl in an orange grove. Easy right? I live in south Orange County so it shouldn’t be a problem to find an orange grove or two. Boy was I ever wrong!
I asked my friends, “Do you know where there is an orange grove around here?” The same answer came back every time “……..I used to when I was growing up, but they are all gone.”
By chance I was talking about this to my students, when a visitor to my classroom told me, “Hey we have orange groves in my neighborhood!” Excited and skeptical I asked him where he lived. Turns out in one of the newest housing developments in South Orange County, the association has planted real live orange groves!
So I found my orange grove for this shoot, but I was still left wondering, “where did all the orange groves go?”
If you have been following my blog posts you know I love to add a little bit of history to keep everyone on their toes. Here is a little history of “Orange” County.
American Indians dwelled in Orange County until the period of Spanish colonization in the late 1700’s.
While Mexico controlled California, large rancher owners oversaw development of the commercial property, homes and land in Orange County.
Orange County entered a huge growth period where settlers, developers, investors, farmers, ranchers and locals built up the cities and communities that we have today. James Irvine bought the Irvine Ranch, then about one fifth of the total amount of real estate in Orange County.
In 1888 California recognized the County of Orange. Orange County came into being with the three incorporated cities of Santa Ana, Anaheim and Orange with a total population of 13,000.
The first high school in Orange County opened in 1891. In 1893, Fullerton became home of the Fruit Exchange which later turned into Sunkist.
The town of Orange began as a farming community, although it took several years of trial and error for the settlers to discover the most successful crops.
In 1873, the farmers began planting orange groves.
The orange trees, because of the soil and weather conditions, produced an very sweet and flavorful fruit. Word of this superior orange quickly spread, and a great agricultural industry was born. The second “gold rush” was on.
When I was in my 20’s a friend of mine had commented that someday there would only be one orange tree left in Orange County and that tree would be surrounded by glass in a museum setting. I laughed his comment off as at that time we still had plenty of orange groves around and he seemed a bit extreme.
Little did I know how true this statement would be.
I found out that there is the California Citrus State Historic Park: An orange grove preserved from a bygone era. http://www.ultimatecitrus.com/california/calcitruspark.html The Orange trees have literally become an endangered item.
After this shoot I decided to buy an orange tree to plant in my backyard. I would, in my own little way, bring a little of “Orange” County back to my family and the history of this county that I have know since I was 3 years old.
Wings courtesy of Fairy Wings!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!