Shaping Orange County

Author: Stan Oftelie

Shaping Orange County explores the untold stories of America’s sixth largest county, a sun-dappled paradise cooled by ocean breezes, defined by movies and television and transformed by decades of steady growth and economic prosperity. It is the place where Disneyland invented the international theme park industry, disgraced former President Richard Nixon was born, lived and is buried, and where the always changing American Dream seems very real and very attainable. Once a part of America’s Old West, Orange County was the home of 19th century cattle drives and sheep grazing, cowboy lifestyles that all but vanished in the romantic 20th century era of oranges and oil. Over time, citrus groves and petroleum production faded into aerospace and electronics industries, then into 21st century high-tech enterprises, cutting-edge life science companies, medical device firms and low-paying service jobs. Residential real estate development, some of it posh and elegant, some of it now gritty and struggling, has been relentless. The sunny climate also attracted a few shady characters. A whiff of corruption is never far from great wealth or great success. Orange County has had more than its share of rogues and rascals, the dreamers and doers who created a new kind of place to live, work and raise a family. Shaping Orange County looks unsurprisingly into the dark corners of the county’s colorful past, its quirky hidden history and the county’s remarkable success.

ISBN: 978-1941346068
First Publication: 2020

Are you a library that would like to carry the book? Please contact us for a free copy.