La Habra Community History
ARROUES, Jean Pierre (1886—1979) and Leonie (1890— )
O.H. 126
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: May 25, 1966
Status: Transcribed, 94 pp.
Tape length: 3 hrs.
A native of France and resident of La Habra, California since 1912 discusses his involvement in various aspects of the sheep industry in the area after arriving from his native country; recalls names of early settlers in the communities of Brea and La Habra.
BAUER, Lewis J. (1872—1968)
O.H. 123
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: September 28, 1965
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 1 hr. 45 min.
Discussion of first wells drilled by Murphy—Coyote Hills Oil Company, drilling techniques, wages and water supply for boilers. Explains partnership Mr. Murphy formed with Bacon and Plotts, and his dealings with Gaston Bastanchury.
BECK, Edward (1904— ) and Ethel (1916— )
O.H. 142
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: November 1, 1965
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 45 min.
One of the first avocado growers in the area relates history of La Habra, California area, the avocado industry, and reasons for its eventual decline. Biographical information available.
BISHOP, Frank (1897—1976)
O.H. 60
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: March 8, 1963
Status: Final typed, 16 pp., index
Tape length: 60 min.
Native of Lallabra, California briefly discusses early LaHabra schools, medical facilities, street names, and community events; development of the avocado and citrus industries, and agriculture in general in the La Habra area. Includes biographical information.
BRITTAIN, A. Evelyn Robinson (1900—1968)
O.H. 130
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: February 24, 1964
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 60 min.
Local history of early families and churches in La Habra and Fullerton, California. Includes biographical information.
BURCH, Jasper W. (ca. 1910— )
O.H. 823b
Interviewer: Phyllis Keltner
Date: November 5, 1970
Status: Transcribed, 10 pp.
Tape length: 45 min.
Owner of the Burch Ford dealership located on north Harbor Boulevard in La Habra, California recalls his election as city councilman in 1940, the search for a police force for La Habra, and the problems involved.
See also Jasper W. Burch, O.H. 823a, Richard M. Nixon Project.
CORONA, Manuel (1901— )
O.H. 127
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: June 1, 1966
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 60 min.
A descendant from the Ontiveras family discusses family history, various jobs in the agricultural industry using newly developed tools, and the development of the avocado business in La Habra, California.
CRAMER, George W. (1887— )
O.H. 131
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: May 26, 1963
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 60 min.
Pioneer oil worker provides insight into the progress brought about by the development of the oil industry around La Habra and the Puente Lease.
FAULKNER, Clyde (1914— )
O.H. 585
Interviewer: Phyllis Keltner
Date: December 18, 1970
Status: Transcribed/approved, 11 pp.
Tape length: 45 min.
A lieutenant assigned to investigation with the La Habra, California Police Department comments briefly on vice in the community and the use of drugs. He has been with the department since 1950.
FRANTZ, Raymond F. (1886— )
O.H. 143
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: February 6, 1964
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 60 min.
An account of the history of the citrus industry including a description of early agricultural and fruit associations in the La Habra, and East Whittier, California areas. Biographical material available.
HITCHCOCK, Virgil (n.d.)
O.H. 581
Interviewer: Phyllis Keltner
Date: December 12, 1970
Status: Transcribed, 50 pp.
Tape length: 1 hr. 30 min.
Biographical recollections by a La Habra, California police officer including discrimination against him because of his being raised by a Mexican—American family in Los Angeles; expansion of the La Habra police department in an effort to cope with expanding population in the area.
HODSON, Ross (1890— ) and Della (1891— )
O.H. 128
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: February 16, 1963
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 60 min.
Members of a pioneer family discuss early businesses, inhabitants, land values, irrigation, and agriculture in the La Habra, California area including involvement in the early life of the Methodist church in the community.
JOHNSON, A. Glen (1894— )
O.H. 580
Interviewer: Phyllis Keltner
Date: November 12 and December 11, 1970
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 2 hrs. 30 min.
Experiences as a policeman and police chief from 1942 to 1970 in the community of La Habra, California. Recalls problems related to the growth of the department due to the increase in the population of the area; establishment of the first police school courses which are taught in various Orange County communities.
KNOWLTON, Cecil (1903— ) and Ruth (1908— )
O.H. 157
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: June 16, 1970
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 3 hrs. 15 min.
Superintendent of La Habra Heights Development Company and his wife, the stepdaughter of Edwin G. Hart, discuss the extensive holdings of Hart which included the La Habra Heights Development Company; the elements of developing the area which involved building roads; raising trees, planting citrus and avocado groves, and securing irrigation water for the young plants.
LAUNER, Albert (1890—1972) and Lulu (1888— )
O.H. 122
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: May 4, 1963
Status: Final typed, 44 pp.
Tape length: 2 hrs.
Son of the first mayor of La Habra, California and an attorney details the early social history and development of agriculture in Brea, La Habra, and Fullerton. Mrs. Launer was a schoolteacher in La Habra grammar schools in the l900s.
LAUNER, Nelson M. (1891—1979) and Lelia Ruth D. (1892—1980)
O.H. 124
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: February 23, 1963
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 1 hr. 15 min.
Son of the first mayor of La Habra, California discusses early La Habra, water development, and agriculture; Mrs. Launer gives detailed list of native, local flora. Both recall events shared in early La Habra and name many early residents.
LINDAUER, Magdalena Sansinena (1895— )
O.H. 145
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: September 18 and 23, 1963
Status: Transcribed, 29 pp.
Tape length: 60 min.
A native of La Habra, California discusses her parents immigration to the United States from Europe, recalls the Basques in Orange County, the sheep industry, and early La Habra including water supply and pioneer families.
LUEHM, Edgar L. (1888— )
O.H. 69
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: March 17, 1963
Status: Edited, 14 pp.
Tape length: 30 min.
A brief description of farming in La Habra, California and family trips for amusement and shopping in the early l900s.
MC GILL, C. L. (1877—1968) and V. Douglas (1905— )
O.H. 129
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: January 21, 1965
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 2 hrs.
Early lumber business in the La Habra and Fullerton areas. History of early La Habra, California. Biographical data available.
MAC KINNON, William (ca. 1918— )
O.H. 579
Interviewer: Phyllis Keltner
Date: January 7, 1971
Status: Final typed, 16 pp., index
Tape length: 60 min.
Businessman and mayor of La Habra, California comments on the structure of the police department of that community.
MC MASTERS, Matilda Smith (1899— ) and Smith, Guy (1890— ) and Maryellen (1897— )
O.H. 119
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: March 31, 1963
Status: Edited, 25 pp.
Tape length: 60 min.
Members of pioneer family describe land purchased by the family in the last century known as “Smith Corners”; the beginning of the walnut crop, and other truck crops; their eventual phasing out as the La Habra, California population increased. The elder Mr. S. M. Smith was one of the first directors of the Walnut Packinghouse in La Habra. Guy Smith gives an account of the first oil at Coyote Wells.
MORLAN, William Evan (1890— )
O.H. 140
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: January 20, 1964
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 60 min.
A discussion of early life in La Habra, California including wat~er witches being used to locate water. Other settlers are recalled, and narrator describes various jobs held as a young man.
OXARART, Joseph (1899—1966)
O.H. 144
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: October 22, 1964
Status: Transcribed, 47 pp.
Tape length: 60 min.
The nephew of Mrs. Domingo Bastanchury recalls the history of the Bastanchury family; Orange County, California Basque history; the Hualde ranch; the sheep industry; and citrus industry in the Brea—La Habra area. Biographical information included.
RANDALL, Homer (1871— )
O.H. 117
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: April 20, 1963
Status: Transcribed, 18 pp.
Tape length: 1 hr. 30 min.
Recollections of early La Habra, California; other residents; and the citrus industry by a pioneer in the area.
REDFERN, Delpha Ridgway (1885— ) and Long, Lila K. T. (1896— )
O.H. 99*
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: March 24, 1963
Status: Transcribed, 20 pp.
Tape length: 45 min.
Early La Habra, California residents discuss the development of the area, and share recollections of early dry farming, water sources, buses and buggies, markets and peddlers, as well as recall names of other residents in the area. Biographical data included.
RIDGWAY, Claude (1891— ) and Ida (1893— )
O.H. 125*
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: February 15, 1963; January 19, 1965
Status: Transcribed, 110 pp.
Tape length: 4 hrs.
Former county assessor and his wife discuss early Whittier and La Habra, California; early settlers; the various types of agriculture in the area including dry farming, citrus, and avocados; associations such as the Farmers’ Club, the Whittier Citrus Associations, and California Fruit Growers.
RIVERA, Lee (1914—1969)
O.H. 583
Interviewer: Phyllis Keltner
Date: December 8, 1970
Status: Final typed, 20 pp.
Tape length: 60 min.
Chief of the La Habra, California Police Department explains uniform changes, types of problems, and activities of the department. Chief Rivera was working as an assembler at Vultee when hired as a relief man for the three—man police force in that city in 1943. He has served twenty—seven years and has good working relationship with Mexican community.
SALVESON, Sigvald (1885—1965)
O.H. 141
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: October 21, 1964
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 60 min.
Early businessman discusses merchandising in the La Habra, California area, namely Stern and Goodman Mercantile Company. Biographical data included.
SCHUEPBACH, Esther Aldrich (1899— ) and Chester (1896— )
O.H. 67
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: March 9, 1963; October 22, 1965
Satus: Not transcribed
Tape length: 60 min.
Early La Habra, California residents and the history of the area are recalled by pioneers, including observations on the growth and changes. Biographical information included.
SCOTT, Otis (1891— ) and Alta Mae (1890—1975)
O.H. 116
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: March 25, 1963
Status: Transcribed, 31 pp.
Tape length: 1 hr. 30 min.
General history of early La Habra, California area; barley operations and other types of agriculture in the La Habra and East Whittier area; and early oil development.
SMITH, Guy and Maryellen
O.H. 119
See MC MASTERS, Matilda Smith; Smith, Guy and Maryellen
SUTTON, Ada Ware (1885— )
O.H. 118a
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: April 22, 1963
Status: Transcribed, 17 pp.
Tape length: 60 min.
A cousin of President Richard M. Nixon recalls early La Habra and Whittier, California including stores, outings, and church activities. Biographical information available.
See also Ada Ware Sutton, O.H. ll8b, Richard M. Nixon Project
TRESSLAR, Grace H. (1876—1968)
O.H. 132
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: January 17, 1964
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 2 hrs.
A discussion of the development of the Fullerton News which her husband owned, and early history of La Habra and Fullerton, California.
WARNE, Pansy B. Remington (1886—1966)
O.H. 120
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: April 4, 1963
Status: Transcribed, 20 pp.
Tape length: 45 min.
Daughter of a prominent Fullerton, California photographer discusses early Fullerton and La Habra, and her husband’s part in the development. The Warne family was a pioneer family in this area.
WARNE, Tom (1880— ) and Lida (1886— )
O.H. 121
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: May 5, 1963
Status: Edited, 41 pp.
Tape length: 45 min.
Discussion of the change from agricultural land to commercial and residential zoning in La Habra, California. Mr. Warne established his ranch on land purchased from Stearns rancho and explains role of W. J. Hole; Mrs. Warne’s father was a carpenter who helped build the Hole residence.
WELCH, Mabel Stone (1894— )
O.H. 146
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: May 6 and 14, 1964
Status: Not transcribed
Tape length: 1 hr. 10 min.
Discussion of life on the Puente oil lease where her family lived; early agriculture in the La Habra, California area; father’s work as stage driver, oil driller, and interpreter for Domingo Bastanchury; sheep grazing; marketing habits, and social activities of local residents.
WHITE, Howard (1911— )
O.H. 578
Interviewer: Phyllis Keltner
Date: January 12, 1971
Status: Transcribed, 63 pp.
Tape length: 2 hrs. 30 min.
A captain with the La Habra, California Police Department explains the functions of the department, experiences of teaching police, science in the North Orange County Community College District. Includes comments on the Los Angeles County sheriff’s department.
WILSON, Harry (1917—1981)
O.H. 584
Interviewer: Phyllis Keltner
Date: January 6, 1971
Status: Edited, 41 pp.
Tape length: 2 hrs.
Assistant city administrator, formerly called director of public safety, for La Habra, California explains the structure of both police and fire departments of that city. Wilson was chief of police in La Habra from 1959—1969 after serving with Salinas and Placentia, California police forces.
WOODMAN, Orpha Leutwiler (1905— )
O.H. 68
Interviewer: Esther R. Cramer
Date: March 16, 1963
Status: Transcribed, 9 pp.
Tape length: 30 min.
Brief discussion of life in the early La Habra, California area when brea was used for fuel, and outings were made to the beach for amusement. Biographical data included.
