Red Hill, California facts for kids

Hay harvest in 1891 on the Irvine Ranch

Red Hill is a special place in North Tustin, California. It is located in Orange County. This hill is so important that it was named a California Historical Landmark (No. 203) on June 20, 1935.

Red Hill stands about 347 feet tall. It is also about 1,000 feet long and 500 feet wide. This landmark has a long and interesting history.

The Hill's Early History

Native American Stories

Long ago, Native American tribes lived near Red Hill. Their legends say the hill was a safe place. They would go there during big floods or fires. Archeologists have found old tools and items from these tribes on the hill.

The Tongva people, who lived in this area, had a special name for Red Hill. They called it Katuktu. This word means place of refuge. It shows how important the hill was to them.

Spanish and Mexican Names

When Spain ruled California, Red Hill got new names. People called it Cerrito de las Ranas or just Las Ranas. This means Hill of the Frogs. Many frogs lived on the swampy side of the hill. Sometimes, it was also called Cerro Colorado, which means Red Hill.

Later, during the time of Mexican land grants, Red Hill was a key marker. It helped show the borders between three large ranches: Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, Rancho San Joaquin, and Rancho Lomas de Santiago.

The hill was part of a big land grant given to José Antonio Yorba. In 1854, the Yorba family sold their land to José Antonio Andrés Sepúlveda. But Sepúlveda faced money problems. He lost much of the land because he had to fight for his claims in court. In 1866, a lot of this land was sold to James Irvine. Irvine then started a large ranching business there.

Mining for Mercury

Why the Hill is Red

Red Hill gets its name from its soil. The soil is very red because it contains a mineral called cinnabar. This mineral is a source of mercury. Mercury is a heavy, silvery metal that is liquid at room temperature.

Early Mining Operations

In 1884, the first mining company started working on Red Hill. It was called the Rattlesnake Hill Mercury Mine. Because of this mine, some people also called the hill Rattlesnake Hill.

By 1890, the Irvine Company owned the land. They dug two mines into the side of Red Hill. They also dug a 30-foot deep shaft straight down into the hill.

Mining Continues

The Irvine Company later leased the hill to other miners. In 1896, a man named Thomas Harris, also known as Shorty, leased the hill. He dug a new 70-foot shaft. Workers from the Santa Clara Coal Mines helped him until 1898.

In 1899, E. J. Kimball and J. A. Turner signed a 10-year lease. They dug two more shafts and removed 50 tons of ore. On February 27, 1907, Felton P. Browning bought Red Hill. He mined mercury to help with the war efforts during World War I.

Later, during World War II, there were a few more attempts to mine mercury. However, these operations were not very successful. Today, most of the old mine shafts are closed off for safety. Red Hill is now part of a private housing area.

Red Hill Today

The name Red Hill is still very common in the area. You can find companies, streets, a school, a church, and even a fire station named after Red Hill. It shows how important this landmark remains to the community.

Markers

California Historical Landmark Marker

There is a special marker at the site that tells about Red Hill's history. It says:

• No. 203 RED HILL, In early descriptions it was known as Cerrito de las Ranas, meaning the Hill of the Frogs. In the 1890s this hill became the scene of mining excitement. Its soil composition, very red in color, had caused early American settlers to name it Red Hill. This landmark is a physical reminder of our rich State and local history. Presented by: Michael B. Cross, Boy Scout Troop 323, April 2005

Katuktu Chapter Marker

Another marker at the site shares more history:

• A promontory which served as a landmark for early travelers. It was called "Katuktu" by the Indians. Erected 1969 by Katuktu Chapter, NSDAR. (Marker Number 203.)