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Brea-Olinda Community History
ALEXANDER, Vi (ca. 1904- )
A native of Nebraska who moved to Brea, California in 1922 discusses her
former duties as bookkeeper for Dr. C. Glenn Curtis and as secretary to
California Assembly Speaker Edward “Ted” Craig. The Alexanders owned and
operated Alexander’s Market in Brea from the 1940s to 1963. She recalls
rationing, coupons, and supply shortages during World War II, as well as
the effects of the war on the community of Brea. BARNES, Ralph (1902- )
Brea resident since 1925 and co-founder of the Oilfields National Bank in
1926, Mr. Barnes details the history of this bank and the effects of the
bank holiday of 1933. Discussion includes the Ralph “Barney” Barnes
orchestra, local golf courses, Brea Chamber of Commerce, and other service
clubs in town, particularly the Lions Club. BENNETT, Dyer
(1908- )
A longtime resident of Brea who emigrated from Arkansas in 1926 describes
his experiences of working in the oil fields and oil drilling procedures
of Shell and Union Oil companies. In these interviews he recalls the
effects of the Great Depression on the citizens of Brea during 1929-1941
and the uniqueness of the co-op commissary which provided food in exchange
for hours of work donated by the unemployed. BENNIE, Emma Johnson
(1905- )
A
longtime resident of the former Olinda, California community details her
personal recollections of life on the Stearns oil lease of Union Oil
Company; management-employee relations during the depth of the Great
Depression; recreation, amusement, and holiday celebrations of oil
field families. Profiles prominent personalities of the
Olinda School including Walter Johnson and Frank Martin. BERGMAN, Walter
(1906- )
Early Brea, California businessman who was employed by Chiksan Tool
Company for thirty years discusses the company’s origins, growth, and its
industrial contributions of the swivel joint and rotary bit; discussion of
Santa Ana River flood of 1938; the Brea co-op commissary founded during
the Great Depression; and growth of housing in Brea. BURKE, Pearl A.
(l909- )
A former resident of southern Illinois who moved to California to be near
her daughters reminisces about the growth of businesses and the general
atmosphere of the community of Brea, California. CHANSLER, Perry (n.d.)
An employee of the Union Oil Company discusses his duties as a roustabout
and lists other jobs he held during his forty years in the oil industry;
briefly recalls the advent of safety regulations, living on an oil lease,
and machinery used in early days of oil drilling. Interviewee’s wife
comments on raising their family in Brea, California. COLLINS, Katherine (ca.
1914- )
A longtime employee of the Brea-Olinda school system briefly discusses her
duties and the system. ESTRADA, Mary (1906- )
An early Brea, California resident of Spanish descent discusses the many
changes that have taken place in the community, the problems of the
[Great] Depression years, the educational system, her work with the senior
citizens, and the Catholic church. FANNING, Karl H.
(1915- )
A former high school science teacher whose father was superintendent of
Brea-Olinda elementary schools comments on innovative changes which took
place in the teaching of science during his thirty-eight years before
retirement. Includes involvement in Trained Residents Extending
Educational Services [TREES]; as scoutmaster for a Boy Scout troop; and
changes that have occurred in Brea, California following World War II. FANNING, Karl H.
(1915- )
Traces early family lineage and background; changes in Brea during the
1920s and 1930s; experiences of teaching and living in both Placerville
and Brea, California.
FANNING, Karl (1915- )
and MILLEN, Dean (1908- )
An overview interview with two longtime residents of Brea, California.
Discussion concerns the early days of the community during the 1920s and
1930s, including the 1926 Union Oil company fire, the 1933 earthquake, the
1938 flood; schools, churches, social organizations, businesses, and
minorities. Millen recalls some early days in Santa Ana including the flu
and typhoid fever epidemics of both communities. Both interviewees comment
on family and personal experiences. FORKUS, Don (1944- )
Member of the Brea Police Department (began 1967) who became chief of
police (1976) details the technical, functional, and behavioral changes
noted in the department during his tenure. Benefits and responsibilities
of contractual agreement with the city of Yorba Linda, California are
briefly noted; and the effects of Brea’ a growth on the professionalism of
the police department.
FRANCESCONI, Richard (1930- )
and McDOWELL, Jerry (1936- )
Joint fire chiefs detail the history of the Brea Fire Department including
staffing, public education, and changes in inspection programs, training,
and technology from 1923 to time of interview. GAULDIN, Richard R.
“Jack” (1897- )
Resident of onetime Olinda, California from 1920 to 1924 who worked in the
oil fields for over thirty-six years gives a brief history of Olinda, an
explanation of drilling techniques and derrick construction; description
of bunkhouses, boardinghouses, and family houses; and briefly relates
practical jokes and shivaree customs. GOODWIN, Gladys
(1903- )
A former schoolteacher from Pennsylvania who immigrated to Brea,
California in 1932 briefly discusses the Woman’s Club and church work in
Brea. Husband was a dentist in Brea. GRIFFITH, Warren E.
(1891- )
A Union Oil Company employee of thirty-five years explains integrated oil
companies, history of the oil industry and phases of oil production;
details events of Brea oil field fire of 1926; and the Brea Golden Jubilee
held in 1967. Mrs. Griffith comments on early Brea and family activities
including their son Bill’s entry in and winning of the Southern California
Soap Box Derby in 1939 plus the cross-country trip to Akron, Ohio for the
derby finals. HALE, Merle Van Ness
(1896-1983)
A former Olinda, California resident recalls life on the Columbia Oil
Company lease; some technical history of the oil industry; businesses
involved in Olinda; Christmas trees; comparison of Olinda school with
schools in Pennsylvania; and riding a flatbed truck to Fullerton High
School. HALL, Frank (ca.
1910- )
Publisher of the Brea, California weekly paper Brea Progress, from
1947 to 1956 comments on friendly rivalry between himself and the editor
of the Fullerton Daily News Tribune, obtaining advertisers for his
paper, and his experiences as publisher of the official county paper,
Hill City Times, in Kansas. Comments on the antics of Dr. C.
Glenn Curtis and his political involvements as a leading Republican in
Brea. HENDERSON, Thelma (1905- ) The
eldest child of the Charles C. Kinsler family discusses growing up on oil
lease land in the California communities of La Puente, Olinda, and Brea;
childhood, family, and community activities; well-known personalities,
neighbors, and landmarks of early Brea. HOLLY, Frank (1908- )
Owner of Brea Electrical Company relates the history of his business, some
family history, and his involvement with Ralph “Barney” Barnes orchestra
which later became known as the Brea Junior Chamber of Commence orchestra.
Briefly describes his reaction to the growth and physical changes that
have occurred in Brea, California. ISBELL, Jessie
(1890- ) A
teacher, born in Illinois, and later moved to Olinda, California as a
bride in 1921, describes the scenery, her home on the Olinda oil lease,
teaching sewing and cooking classes in the Olinda school, and various
recreations of oil lease dwellers, including visits to La Vida Hot
Springs. She moved to Brea in 1964. JASTER, Vincent
(1907-1985)
A native of North Dakota, Jaster came to California to become a
school principal in 1929, a position he held for twelve years. Discusses
duties and responsibilities of the superintendent of the Brea, California
school district after holding that position from 1942 to 1968. Interviewee
recalls Ku-Klux Klan activities in Brea, and explains ramifications of the
unification of the Brea and Olinda school districts. KINSLER, Leland (1920- ) A
native son of Brea, California, whose mother, Olivia Winchel, died two
days after his birth, was adopted at six months old by the well-known
Charles Kinsler family. Narrator discusses both his adopted father and his
biological father, early childhood activities, early Brea, the oil fields,
and the Kinsler Hotel. MC BRIDE, Don (ca.
1930- )
A realtor of Brea, California discusses the local residential and
industrial development which relied on the release of oil company
landholdings, the construction of the 57 Freeway, and the building of the
Brea mall. The impact of this development on the community, changing land
use, and annexation policy of Brea are considered. MC FADDEN, Roswell C.
(ca. 1905- )
The retired minister of the First Baptist Church of Brea, California
discusses the programs, committees and congregation during his pastorate,
1951-1980. Serves as chaplain for the Brea Retirement for Abundant Living,
referred to as BREAL. MAGGIO, Richard (ca.
1950- )
Director of the Brea, California Planning and Development Services
Department (began 1974) discusses general steps taken in development
projects, reasons for and proponents of annexation policy of the city,
land use patterns, and factors that influence city planning; outlines the
history of the Brea mall and its affects on the community. MESTRE, Henry (1903-
) A
native of Cuba and resident of Brea, California since 1941 discusses the
Latino communities in Brea and Fullerton and his work in the bracero
program from 1944-1973. As a leader in the Latino community, Mr. Mestre
helped start the Sociedad Cultural Hispana in 1975 and the Club Latino of
Brea. MILLEN, Dean (1908-
)
Longtime Brea, California resident discusses the slow growth of the city
from 1920 to 1950 and the more rapid but well-planned growth from the late
l940s to the 1960s. MILLEN, Dean (1908-
)
Citrus grower reminisces about the decline of agriculture in California’s
Orange County with special emphasis on orange and lemon growing. Comments
on the Irvine ranch, citrus growers in Villa Park and Brea, and the
California Fruit Growers Exchange commonly known as Sunkist. NORMAN, Ruth Blakemore
(1904- )
Early Brea, California resident shares brief recollections of life in
Brea, activities of the women, and the influence of the oil industry on
the town. Comments on cooperative commissary formed during the Depression. NORMAN, W. S. (1902-
) An
oil field truck driver from the age of fifteen, Mr. Norman discusses wages
and union benefits, roughnecks, minorities, and the lack of safety
regulations in the oil industry; recalls Brea’s oil field fire of 1926 and
its cleanup; Ku-Klux Klan activities in Brea.
OXANDABOURE, Benoit (1898-1982) and
Oxandaboure, Frank (1925- ) A foreman on the Bastanchury ranch and his son give a detailed explanation of the citrus industry as it operated on the ranch with its steps from planting to harvest to shipping; brief description of the Basque community in Brea, California. Interviewee is a native of Hasparren, France in the Pyrenees Mountains.
A
brief history of the two thousand acre Bastanchury ranch originally
located between Brea and Fullerton, California; a discussion of life on
the ranch with special emphasis on the Basque culture that developed on
the ranch. PIANTONI, Leo E.
(1923- )
A
native son of Brea, California recalls aspects of his early life on the
Birch Oil Company lease; the effects on Brea of the Long Beach earthquake
in 1933; the Great Depression; Brea’s response in World War II; school
district unification; service groups and civic activities. POST, Ella Armstrong
(1912- )
Reminiscences of childhood activities on the Santa Fe Lease in Placentia
and later in Olinda, California; the former town of Olinda; the Olinda
Grammar School; domestic chores. Interviewee’s brother was Major Jack
Armstrong, an Army Air Corps pilot. RUSSELL, Charles (1918-
)
Retired from the Chiksan Company of Brea, California, Russell recalls his
experiences and upward mobility with Chiksan which began as he completed
college and lasted nearly thirty years. Second interview recounts his
political association with the city of Brea, serving as a councilman and
mayor.
The daughter of William D. Shaffer details her involvement in the Eastern
Star; the history of the Shaffer Tool Works established in 1924 which
holds patents on the flow bean, Shaffer gate, and various “fishing” tools.
Briefly comments on the service clubs in Brea, the oil fire of 1926, and
the pipe organ in the Brea Congregational Church.
A native son and former city council member of Brea, California discusses
the town’s history from an oil boomtown to a farming community, current
expansion, and the Union oil field fire of 1926. SElLER, Catherine (1915-
)
Longtime resident recalls her childhood in Brea, California; the Union oil
field fire of 1926; effects of the oil industry in Brea; the Long Beach
earthquake of 1933; employment opportunities for women in the Brea area;
effects of the Depression; and postwar housing tract development. SERNA, Charlotte (1953- )
A
co-founder of the Sociedad Cultural Hispana discusses the club's
activities, the Latino community spirit, and minority problems beginning
in the 1970; briefly relates some personal family history. SHAFFER, Donald (1909- )
Son
of W. D. Shaffer gives biographical data on his father and a brief history
of Shaffer Tool Works, including thie products the company has developed
and its influence on the Brea community. Discusses the control of the
Union Oil Company on the growth of Brea, and personal activities on the
elementary school board. SIEBENTHAL, Voloney C.
(1906- )
Description of early life on the Columbia Oil Company lease in Olinda,
California including medical treatment, schools, and early oil drilling
equipment; recalls service with the Brea Fire Department from 1929-1966,
and early fire equipment. SIEBENTHAL, Voloney C.
(1906- )
A
longtime Brea, California resident discusses his personal involvement as
an Army fireman in Europe during World War II, with special emphasis on
work on the Red Ball Highway. SMITH, Lois Muzzall
(1905—1983)
A
resident on the West Coast Lease notes various leases that composed the
Olinda, California area; describes lease houses, medical treatment,
schools, employment in packinghouses, and shopping opportunities. Brief
discussion of La Vida Hot Springs. STAFFORD, James L.
(1926- )
Superintendent of Brea-Olinda Unified School District discusses personal
background; his teaching role; duties and problems as a business manager,
and experiences as superintendent. THOMPSON, Alice J.
(1909- ) A resident of Brea, California since 1913 and daughter of the first police chief shares childhood recollections of the evening curfew, red car line, businesses in town, the influenza epidemic, and the effects of the [Great] Depression on Brea. Briefly notes Ku-Klux Klan activities, the Brea mall, and the effect of community expansion on senior citizens of Brea. VAN PATTEN, Harold
(1923- )
Grandson of early landowners in Placentia and Yorba Linda, California and
son of an oil field worker recalls the role of the Olinda Grammar School
in the social life of the area, pranks and games of his classmates at the
school, the [Great] Depression years, the nine o’clock curfew signal,
medical care, fire protection on the oil company leases, and the Santa Ann
River flood of 1938. WARNER, Myrtle
(1899-1979)
Brea-Olinda, California area history including the Brea schoolhouse; the
Stewart Lease oil fire and Olinda oil fields; town’s name change from
Randolph to Brea. Comments on the well-known, hometown baseball player,
Walter Johnson. WEDIN, Wayne (1939-
)
The city administrator for Brea, California, who came to Brea in 1954 as a
youngster, lists the physical, commercial, and social changes he has
observed; discusses the annexation policy of the city; the planning and
construction of the 57 Freeway, the Brea mall, the Brea Plaza, and the
effects of both on the city. WIGGINS, Marie (n.
d.)
General description, growth, and history of Carbon Canyon area called
“Sleepy Hollow” including first families, first citrus groves, and first
businesses. WINCHEL, Harry N.
(1911-
) WINDER, G. Richard
(1903- )
A former vice-president and general manager of Chiksan Company in Brea, California recalls his association with the company during its rapid expansion and merger with Food Machinery Corporation, traditionally known as FMC.
YRIARTE, John (1917-
) and Patnicio (1919- ) Two brothers of Basque heritage relate information about their grandparents who came to Orange County in 1885 and other Basque landowners including Bastanchury and Hualde. Discussion includes events in early Brea, California and changes in the economic base of the city. RELATED MATERIALSPublications: BEKO, Ken, et al., Pipelines to the Past: An Oral History of Olinda, California. Fullerton: California State University, Oral History Program, 1979. 148 pp., photos. The following interviews pertaining to the former community of Olinda, California are included in the above publication: Merle Van Ness Hale; Lois Muzzall Smith; Emma Johnson Bennie; Richard R. Gauldin; Jessie Isbell; Harold Van Patten; Ella Armstrong Post. Thesis: TOWNER, Ann Sibley. “The Attenuation of Community Voluntary Associations and Cultural Change in Brea, California, 1920s-1970s.” Master’s thesis, California State University, Fullerton, 1985. |
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