Boy Scout Jamboree of 1953

Irvine History Today  Wednesday, March 16 2016

In the summer of 1953, more than 50,000 boy scouts from all over the country gathered on the Irvine Ranch for the Boy Scout Jamboree. Not only was this a momentous moment in the lives of those who attended, it also marked a changing point in the development of the Irvine area. Most of the infrastructure built for the Jamboree laid the groundwork for future communities in Newport Beach and in Irvine.

This week, OC Historian and author Phil Brigandi discusses the Jamboree and its impact on Orange County.

Listen to the Podcast Here...


Click here to see a 1953 documentary about the Jamboree, produced by Cecil B DeMille.

For more work by OC Historian Phil Brigandi...I recommend his website... So Cal Historyland
and  his books Orange County Place Names A to Z...... and Orange County Chronicles

Barton Massacre Part II

Irvine History Today   Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Paul Spitzzeri, Assistant Director at the Homestead Museum, continues his discussion of the Barton Massacre of 1857. This week, the topic expands to the aftermath of the event and how it exacerbated racial tension in Los Angeles County.

Paul Spitzzeri's award-winning book about the Workman and Temple families is available here...

Listen to this week's podcast Here...

The Barton Massacre of 1857

Irvine History Today  Wednesday, March 2, 2016

It's hard to imagine that Irvine, the safest city in the U.S., was the setting of an infamous historical event known as The Barton Massacre. On this week's program, Paul Spitzzeri of the Homestead Museum will discuss what led up to the violence in 1857, as well as the racial repercussions that followed.

If you'd like to learn more about this event and others from this period of southern California history, check out Paul Spitzzeri's excellent blog; Trembling on The Brink: Crime and Justice in Los Angeles 1850-1875

Listen to the podcast here....

James Harvey Irvine

Irvine History Today, Wednesday February 24, 2016



James Harvey Irvine (1867-1947) inherited his father's ranch on his 25th birthday and transformed the undeveloped sheep grazing operation into an agricultural powerhouse. This week's program covers the "confused auction" that nearly changed the course of local history and cost James Harvey Irvine his ranch.

Click Here to Listen to the Podcast

Portola's Ride

Irvine History Today   Wednesday, February 17th 2016


In July of 1769. Captain Gaspar de Portola of Spain led the first european expedition across what would someday be Orange County. This week, Chris Jepsen from the Orange County Historical Society will discuss Portola's historic ride and its impact on the region.

Click Here to Listen to the Podcast.

If you'd like to learn more about Gaspar de Portola's Expedition, you could check out these books...

"A Description of Distant Roads: Original Journals of the first expedition into California (1769-70)"

It's a transcription of the trail journal of Father Juan Crespi who was part of the expedition.

Portola's own journal is transcribed in

  "The Diary of Gaspar de Portola During the California Expedition 1769-70"

Local historian Don Meadows wrote a book that describes Portola's Route and it's available through the Orange County Historical Society link here.. 

Of course,  you can always check out Chris Jepsen's informative blog,  OC History Round-Up

Saving Adventure Playground

Irvine History Today, Wednesday, February 10, 2016



In the master-planned Village of University Park, Adventure Playground was decidedly un-planned.

It became a beloved neighborhood park soon after it first appeared in the early 1970's.

When the park was in danger of disappearing in 2008, local community members formed Defend Adventure Playground, to raise awareness and preserve the park. This week's guests, Alex Hilenbrand and John Gerrard, tell how this group mobilized public sentiment and saved Adventure Playground for generations to come.

Click Here to listen to the podcast!

James Irvine (1827-1886)

James Irvine (1827 - 1886)

Irvine History Today  Wednesday, February 3, 2016


James Irvine was the patriarch of the family that owned the Irvine Ranch for more than a century. This week's show discusses the "rags to riches" story of this unique California pioneer.

Listen to the podcast here!