SoCal Landmarks

SoCal Landmarks

A Photography Project

Old Towne Orange Historic District, Orange, Orange County

Old Towne Orange Historic District

Since 2001, architectural photographer John Bare has documented numerous historic residential districts throughout Southern California. Today SoCal Landmarks is presenting selections from the Old Towne Orange Historic District. While some of the homes and buildings may be noteworthy on their own, the goal of John’s documentation, and our presentations, is to provide an overview of the districts and the variety of architectural styles that contribute to their distinction.

The town of Orange was surveyed and plotted in a rectangular grid by surveyor William Glassell for Alfred Chapman in 1871. Four historic quadrants or neighborhoods, which comprise the one-plus square mile of original development in the City of Orange, surround the Plaza Historic District. Old Towne Orange Historic District buildings, dating from the late 1880s, when the population was 866, through 1940, exhibit styles and architectural details unmatched in present day housing tracts and planned communities. The Old Towne Orange Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Orange, Orange County
Photographer: John Bare