HISTORY

Santa Ana is the ninth largest city in California, the county seat for Orange County and the home of Orange County’s John Wayne Airport, the Bowers Museum, Art Galleries, The Saint Joseph Ballet, acclaimed restaurants among other amenities, Art Schools and Historic Buildings. The Santa Ana Zoo includes exotic birds, monkeys, a mountain lion and barnyard animals.

Franciscans Settle Santa Ana Valley

The valley in which Santa Ana is located was discovered in July 1769, during a Franciscan expedition led by Don Gaspar Portola. The explorers christened the valley Santa Ana in honor of Saint Anne, also giving the name Santa Ana to the river flowing through the valley. One of the members of the Portola party, Father Junipero Serra, later founded a chain of Franciscan missions that still can be seen today. The El Camino Real, the King’s Highway, which linked the missions, passes through the Santa Ana Valley.

Another member of the Portola group, a soldier named Antonio Yorba, and his nephew, Juan Peralta, received a Spanish grant for land extending from the foothills of the Santa Ana Canyon to the ocean. They used the land for grazing cattle and later developed irrigation systems fed by water from the Santa Ana River. The land was thus quite fertile, and the area soon became an agricultural center, with several ranches established in the valley.

City of Santa Ana Prospers

The 1849 California Gold Rush brought the region a population boom, which was followed by another major expansion during the Civil War. The valley’s large ranches were subdivided and sold to the newcomers, many of whom later founded the cities of Santa Ana, Orange, and Tustin. Santa Ana’s history began in 1869 when William H. Spurgeon purchased 70 acres from the Yorba heirs and drew up a town plan. Since the land had been part of the Santiago de Santa Ana ranch and since it was also near the Santa Ana River, the town was called Santa Ana.

Soon the new town became prosperous, boasting mail delivery twice a week and a number of stores and residences within its boundaries. Farms also were established throughout the valley; the rich soil and favorable climate permitted the cultivation of several crops. Santa Ana became a commercial center; because of its central location in the valley, it was a natural marketplace for crops produced in the surrounding region that is now Orange County. When rail transport arrived in the area in 1877, the town developed and population increased; in 1886 Santa Ana was incorporated. Three years later Orange County was separated from Los Angeles County and Santa Ana was named the county seat.

World War II brought further development as industry moved into the area. The population of Santa Ana increased from around 49,000 people in 1900 to nearly 210,000 residents in 1950. A city charter, providing for a council-manager form of government, was adopted in 1952. Since World War II, Santa Ana has become a financial and governmental center of Orange County.

Efforts began in the 1980s to restore and revitalize the city of Santa Ana, especially its downtown. As a result the city has become known for its historic downtown and Main Place shopping center, which created thousands of jobs in the heart of the city. Santa Ana residents of the twenty-first century enjoy cultural and ethnic diversity as well as continuing status as the financial and governmental center of Orange County.

Overview

Christened in honor of Saint Anne, on July 26, 1769, Spanish expedition party leader, Don Gaspár de Portolá, discovered the picturesque valley and river Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. But it was José Antonio Yorba and Juan Peralta who were given a Spanish land grant. They developed the property for cattle grazing and farming.

100 years later Santa Ana became a city when William H. Spurgeon purchased 70 acres from the Yorba family in 1869. Incorporated in 1886, it was separated from Los Angeles County and was named the County seat just three years later.

The population is 74% Hispanic with restaurants, shops and markets catering to an audience whose primary language is Spanish. Many residents are bilingual, especially youngsters and long time residents but in Santa Ana, you’ll feel right at home if Spanish is your native tongue. Holidays are celebrated in a unique way with Christmas one of the biggest events. It includes a procession in a local stadium and breaking of piñatas as part of holiday festivities.

Santa Ana is home to the Orange County court system. There’s a beautiful old courthouse which is a historic landmark and is used as a set for filming in hundreds of television shows and movies.

History of the Santora Building

There are two versions on the architectural style of the building:

Number 1

Named by combining ‘Santa Ana’ and ‘Orange,’ the Santora Building was designed in the Moorish style by Frank Lansdown in 1926. An ornate two-story shopping arcade, it housed some of Santa Ana’s finest shops, including the popular Daniger’s Tea Room. The building has been restored for business and professional offices, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Number 2

It’s rare “Churrigueresque” Spanish Ultra Baroque style architecture and interior make the Santora Building of the Arts one of the grandest sights in downtown Santa Ana, California.

Built in 1929, the Santora embodies the character and luxury of its time. From the decorative masonry exterior, elegant iron gated and terrazzo floor lobby entrance, sweeping staircase, and stain glassed skylights, to the ornate chandelier and soaring columns that decorate the central second floor space; the Santora is truly inspiring. Back in the 30’s, large interior picture windows looked in on upscale retail and office tenants. There was a jazz club in the basement and the Daniger’s Tea Room was in full swing. Celebrated for its atmosphere and fine food, Daniger’s was a “must see” for visitors and celebrities from up and down the coast. The Santora Building was a gem!

For the past few years the Santora Building has been a sleeping giant. Then . . .

In late ‘94 and early ‘95, studio artists began renting the empty, undesirable basement spaces. They brought with them the enthusiasm and energy of the arts. In July of 1995 the first Santora Open House event was held.

Today the Santora Building is a laboratory for an exciting collection of galleries, studio work spaces and art related uses where people work, show and gather. Every first Saturday of the Month, the Santora holds an Open House from 7-10pm. During this event the galleries premier new exhibits and studio artists are available to show and discuss their work.