Downtown Santa Ana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Downtown Santa Ana Historic Districts (North, Government/Institutional and South, Retail)
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Old Orange County Courthouse
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 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Civic Center Dr., First, Ross, and Spurgeon Sts., Santa Ana, California |
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| Area | 24.5 acres (9.9 ha) |
| Built | 1877 |
| Architect | multiple |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Moderne, Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000438 |
| Added to NRHP | December 19, 1984 |
Downtown Santa Ana (DTSA) is the main part of Santa Ana. It's also known as Downtown Orange County. This area is important for the city and Orange County. It has many shops, businesses, and fun places to visit.
Many old buildings here are part of the Downtown Santa Ana Historic Districts. These districts are special because they are listed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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History of Downtown Santa Ana
The city of Santa Ana started in 1869. It was founded by William Spurgeon. He bought land from an old Spanish land grant. In 1889, Orange County was formed. Santa Ana became the county seat, which means it was the main government center. This was because Santa Ana was growing faster than other towns.
The Old Orange County Courthouse was built in 1901. Santa Ana then became the county's main place for business and government. The old buildings around it make up the historic downtown area.
Where is Downtown Santa Ana?
Most people think Downtown Santa Ana is between Ross Street and Minter Street. It stretches from First Street to Civic Center Drive. The Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center is a train and bus station. It is located a bit further east, near Santiago Avenue.
Cool Areas in Downtown Santa Ana
Downtown Santa Ana has different sections. Each one has its own special feel. These include the Civic Center, the Artists Village, and Calle Cuatro.
Civic Center: Government Hub
The Santa Ana Civic Center is also called the Orange County Civic Center. It is on the west side of Downtown. This area has many city, county, and federal government buildings.
Here are some of the important buildings:
- Santa Ana City Hall
- Santa Ana Public Library
- Old Orange County Courthouse
- Orange County Courthouse
- Ronald Reagan Federal Building and United States Courthouse
Fourth Street: Calle Cuatro
Fourth Street is a lively part of Downtown Santa Ana. It is also known as Calle Cuatro in Spanish. This street has many restaurants, shops, and fun places. Part of it is a walking-only outdoor mall.
The West End of Fourth Street has cafes, restaurants, and shops. It also has movie theaters and concert venues. This area has become a cultural and entertainment spot. It hosts the yearly Orange County Pride Festival.
The middle part of Calle Cuatro has many different stores. You can find clothing, electronics, and shoe stores here.
Long ago, Downtown Santa Ana was a big shopping area. Stores like Rankin's and J.C. Penney were here. But then, new malls opened, and many businesses moved.
The East End is a cultural area. It has restaurants and the old Yost Theater.
- The Frida Cinema is a special movie theater. It shows independent films and hosts movie events. They also have classic movies like the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- The Fourth Street Market opened in 2015. It is an indoor food hall. It has different food vendors and a kitchen where new food businesses can start.
Artists Village: Creative Community
The Artists Village is a special area in Downtown Santa Ana. It has art galleries, studios, and creative offices. You can also find many restaurants here. It is located around Second Street and Broadway.
This village was first planned in the 1980s. The idea was to bring new life to Santa Ana's old downtown. Many historic buildings were empty for years.
In 1994, a plan for the Grand Central Art Center was made. This helped create the Artists Village. It has brought new art and business to the area.
Today, the Artists Village is home to many art places. These include the Cal State Fullerton Grand Central Art Center. It also has the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art.
Historic Districts: Old Buildings and Landmarks
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The Downtown Santa Ana Historic Districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are very important historical sites. They cover about 24.5 acres. Many buildings here have a special style called Art Deco.
The county's first Courthouse is now a museum. It is located at Civic Center and Broadway streets. The Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum is also here. It is now home to the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society.
Old Santa Ana was named a California Historical Landmark (No. 204) in 1935.
Fun Events in Downtown Santa Ana
Downtown Santa Ana has many events throughout the year. These events bring people together. Some popular events include:
- 1st Saturday Downtown Art Walk
- Noche de Altares (Day of the Dead celebration)
- Fiesta Patrias (September)
- OC Pride Festival
- The Blading Cup (November)
Future Plans for Downtown
Santa Ana is working to make Downtown even better. They want to attract new businesses and creative people. Some of their goals for the future include:
- Bringing in fancy hotels.
- Turning old office buildings into new homes and creative workspaces. This is called "adaptive reuse."
- Building new homes on empty parking lots.
- Developing the 3rd/Broadway parking structure into a mixed-use building. It could have homes or a hotel.
- The OC Streetcar is a new train line. It will connect the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center to Downtown. It is planned to open in 2022.
National Historic District Details
The National Register of Historic Places says the Santa Ana Historical Downtown District is "roughly bounded" by Civic Center Drive, 1st Street, Ross, and Spurgeon. This district has 99 buildings. They date from the late 1870s to 1934.
Historic Landmark Marker
A special marker at the site tells some history:
- "Portola camped on bank of Santa Ana River in 1769. Jose Antonio Yorba, member of expedition, later returned to Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. El Camino Real crossed river in this vicinity. Place was designated Santa Ana by travelers, and known by that name until present town of Santa Ana was founded." This marker was put up by the California State Park Commission. (Marker Number 204.)
Images for kids
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Corner of 4th and Broadway at dusk, with the Ronald Reagan Federal Building in the background
