INJURY-FREE RUNNING FARMS TO FORTUNES THE RICH HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY
Originally, rivers clearly marked the borders of Orange County; now, those are buried beneath concrete, and it is difficult to tell that the county’s 34 incorporated cities are built upon the floodplain of the Santa Ana River. But it is not only the county’s borders that have been built over, but also its rich history, which we will discuss here. PRE-AMERICAN HISTORY The history of Orange County predates the history of our country; back in 1769, the Spanish laid claim to what we know as California, a vast land inhabited by American Indian tribes. However, the Spaniards did very little with the land, only ceding sparse acres to select military leaders, with the rest of the territory being the personal property of the king of Spain. While the Spanish crown may have neglected the land’s potential, their successors would not.
When Mexico — formerly the Viceroyalty of New Spain — became independent from the Kingdom of Spain in 1821, they also inherited the territory that makes up modern-day California. The Mexican government soon granted over 40,000 acres to their populace for them to cultivate and colonize. By 1846, the entirety of what is now Orange County was made up of ranches and farms, with ranching being the mainstay of the local economy. MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR In 1846, a small group of Americans sauntered into California, still a Mexican territory, with the intent of seizing the town of Sonoma. However, events unfolded differently than they had expected: Instead of a brutal fight, they had a peaceful discussion. The Americans met with Col. Mariano Vallejo of the Mexican Army, and, after
sharing drinks together, the officer surrendered the land to them. Thus, the California Republic, an independent nation, was born. Just two years later, California was ceded to the U.S. following the end of the Mexican-American War. In 1849, the California Gold Rush caused an influx of settlers to the newly annexed territory. In what is now Orange County, new irrigation systems, oranges, walnuts, and apricots began to be grown in large quantities in the 1870s. This led to an economic boom and resulted in the establishment of Orange County in 1889. In the century that followed, agriculture gave way to new industries and renewed prosperity. In 1912, Orange County had a population of just 45,000; today, the county has a population of over 3.1 million, a testament to its tremendous growth and people.
Grill and Chill Host a Summer Barbecue for Everyone
Enjoying your own party can be more complicated than it sounds. Backyard barbecues are a high point of summer, but hosting one you enjoy with your guests requires planning. “If swimming is on the agenda, consider protecting new or light-colored indoor furniture with water-resistant covers so guests in wet swimsuits can sit wherever they want without stressing out their host,” says Calla Quinn, a TikTok influencer who recently posted tips on hosting up to 50 friends at your home. Another tip she shares is using portable misting fans in dry climates. These devices create a fine mist to refresh passersby in seconds, and they are especially popular on patios and decks. If attendees offer to bring something, don’t hesitate to accept, and be specific about what you want — from lawn chairs to beach towels. Martha Stewart recommends having a stain
remover on hand to manage stains and cloth towels that guests can use to wipe up spills.
Expert hosts also recommend a self-serve bar for casual summer gatherings. Consider filling several 3-gallon drink dispensers with popular options. Depending on your guest list, you might offer family fare such as lemonade, iced tea, ice water, or premixed cocktails like strawberry vodka lemonade or passion fruit margaritas. Martha Stewart suggests allowing amateur mixologists to concoct their own beverages by setting out bottled juices, artisanal sodas, and kombucha. A stylish yet simple way to serve hors d’oeuvres and side dishes to complement your grilled entree is to assemble or have catered a charcuterie board. These feature finger foods such as meats, cheeses, olives, spreads, fruits, nuts, chips, and crackers. A fully stocked charcuterie board adds a decorative touch while
keeping guests well-fed for hours, adding what Quinn calls “a real wow factor.”
And to make sure your day ends well, look for disposable, compostable bamboo or wooden dishes. Searching for “eco-friendly tableware and cutlery” should turn up some good options. This one last detail can go a long way toward supporting sustainable living while ensuring you don’t spend any valuable party time cleaning up broken glass or washing dishes.
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