Old Town Irvine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Town Irvine |
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Old Town Irvine
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| Location | Irvine, California |
| Built | 1887 |
| Designated | November 11, 1991 |
| Reference no. | 1004 |
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Old Town Irvine is a special historic area in Irvine, California. It was named a California Historical Landmark (No. 1004) on November 11, 1991. You can find a historic marker at 14980 Sand Canyon Avenue in Irvine. This marker helps us remember how the town of Irvine began in 1887.
The town started as a train stop for the Santa Fe Railroad in 1889. A large warehouse was built there to store barley. When it first began, the town was called Myford, California. Myford was the youngest son of James H. Irvine, who the town would later be named after. James Irvine chose the name Myford because there was already another town called Irvine in Northern California. In 1914, Myford was renamed Irvine after the Northern California town changed its name to Carson Hill.
For many years, the 125,000-acre Irvine Ranch was the biggest employer in the town. It was a very busy place, especially during harvest time. The town had a school, a general store, a blacksmith shop, a diner, and a hotel for workers. These buildings were all located near Central Avenue and the train station.
In the 1960s, the town grew with new houses, and a new town center was built. This meant the old Ranch area was no longer the main part of town. Irvine officially became a city in 1971. The older parts of Irvine, which were renamed East Irvine, became run down. Many of the old Ranch buildings in East Irvine were left empty or torn down. Central Avenue was renamed Sand Canyon Avenue and became a major road.
In the 1980s, there was a plan to make Sand Canyon Avenue wider. This plan threatened some of the historic buildings in Irvine. To save these important places, a Historic Preservation Committee was formed. The City of Irvine worked with the Sand Canyon Historical Partners and the Irvine Historical Society. Together, they created a plan to fix up and reuse some of the old buildings.
Historic Buildings of Old Town Irvine
Many old buildings in Old Town Irvine have been saved and restored. Here are some examples:
- The Sack Warehouse, built in 1895, is now used as office space.
- The Post Office from 1895 has been reopened.
- The Irvine Ranch General Store, built in 1912, was moved in 1986. It now holds shops and offices.
- The Irvine Hotel, built in 1913, was also moved in 1986 and is now used for offices.
- The Bulk Processing Warehouse from 1947 was rebuilt and is now the La Quinta Hotel, with 150 rooms.
- The Blacksmith Shop from 1908 was rebuilt and is now the Knowlwood Restaurant.
- The Irvine Service Station, built in 1915, was moved in 1925. It was rebuilt and is now a fast-food restaurant.
- The Irvine Garage, built in 1929, used to be a Ford dealership. It was rebuilt and is now a Denny's restaurant.
- The Irvine School, built in 1929, was rebuilt and is now a community center.
Historical Markers in Old Town Irvine
Historical markers help us learn about important places. Here is what the marker at Old Town Irvine says:
- The town started in 1887 when the AT&SF Railroad arrived. James Irvine II chose this spot to be the shipping center for crops from the Irvine Ranch. This was because of its higher elevation. Some of the original buildings still standing include the Bean Shed (1895), the Bulk Storage Warehouse (1949), the Blacksmith Shop (1912), the Garage (1929), the Tenant Farmhouse (1897), the General Store (1912), and the Hotel (1913). The hotel and store were moved from across Sand Canyon Avenue in 1986. This marker was put up in 1987 by a group called Santa Ana Parlor No. 235, Native Daughters of the Golden West, Santa Ana. (Marker Number 1004.)
Another record from the Office of Historic Preservation describes Old Town Irvine:
- NO. 1004 OLD TOWN IRVINE – Old Town Irvine shows the rich farming history of what is now one of California's most developed areas. It was founded in 1887 as the main place for storing and distributing crops from the 125,000-acre Irvine ranch. Over the years, Old Town Irvine grew to include a bean and grain storage warehouse (1895) and a granary (1947) known as the Irvine Bean and Grain Grower's Building, a blacksmith's shop (1916), a hotel (1913), a general store (1911), and an employees' bungalow (1915). All these buildings have been fixed up for businesses, and their outside looks have been carefully kept the same.
