French Park
In the 1890s, George Wright purchased a triangular-shaped area in Santa Ana for his new home. He was on the turn-of-the-century vanguard that brought wealth and prosperity to Santa Ana. Miles Crookshank built his Colonial Revival house on French Street in 1900, setting the standard for more Colonial Revival, Victorian and Neo-Classical homes built along the oak tree-lined street. The area soon became known as the Nob Hill of Orange County. By 1905 the lots in the north end of the neighborhood were filling up with superior versions of the Craftsman Bungalow style. Wright’s property was eventually bought by neighbors, his home was moved and the vacated land was donated to the city for a park, called Flatiron Park because of its shape, with the stipulation that French Street be opened to its full width. The park is now known as French Park and the historic district with its name is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Santa Ana, Orange County
Photographers: John Bare, Andrew Schmidt