Downtown Anaheim is on the Rise: Part II

Downtown Anaheim is a very interesting place to explore because of its diverse built environment. In the past several years it has experienced a renaissance, likely because of its impressive stock of historic homes and close proximity to Disneyland, which is a major work center. There has also been an increasing sense of community among the local residents which genuinely care about their neighborhood.

Anaheim City Hall -- 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, Ca.

Downtown Santa Ana: Fourth Street Historic Area

Downtown Santa Ana is a compilation of several different districts which includes the Civic Center, Artist Village, and Fourth Street. This blog article is focused on Fourth Street, which is the historic section of downtown. Originally, Santa Ana was the center of metropolitan Orange County, and Fourth Street was the center of business. As the 20 century progressed, many businesses and residents moved to newer locations. In the past 30-35 years, Fourth Street has primarily served Santa Ana's Hispanic immigrant community.

Musselman Block Building -- 320 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana, Ca.

Art Deco Architecture at Anaheim High School

Dedicated in 1936, Anaheim High School is an impressive large scale example of Art Deco architecture. The school was constructed through the federal government's Works Progress Administration, a New Deal Agency that put millions of unemployed people to work.


Anaheim High School -- 811 W. Lincoln, Anaheim, Ca. 

Historic Architecture Preserved in Downtown Fullerton

Downtown Fullerton is the historical center of the city. In the past 20 years, this area has enjoyed a renaissance with an influx of specialty restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and unique shops. Many of its historic buildings have been rehabilitated and readapted. There are dozens of historic buildings in downtown so this blog article only touches the surface of what is available to explore. Pictured below is the Chapman Building which is considered the cornerstone of Downtown Fullerton. It was considered the tallest building in Orange County when it was built in 1923.

Chapman Building -- 110 E. Wilshire, Fullerton, Ca.

Railroad Depots are Downtown Fullerton Treasures

Downtown Fullerton is anchored by two beautiful historic railroad depots. They have both been renovated and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Union Pacific Depot, pictured below, was built in 1922 and represents the Mission Revival architectural style. This facility established Fullerton as the rail center of North Orange County. It currently serves as a restaurant, the Old Spaghetti Factory.

Union Pacific Railroad Depot -- 110 E. Santa Fe Ave., Fullerton Ca. 92832

Anaheim's St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel Offers both Architecture and Art

The St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel sits on the campus of St. Catherine's Academy, a Catholic boys boarding school. The campus is closed to the public but the chapel's mid century modern architectural style and interesting mosaics can still be enjoyed from Harbor Blvd. and Cypress Street.

St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel -- 215 N. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, Ca. 92805