Placentia is a city in northern Orange County with an estimated population of 49,949 residents (as of the 2004 census). Its colorful history began in 1837 when Mexican Governor of what is now Southern California granted Rancho San Juan Cajo´n de Santa Ana to Juan Ontiveros. This land grant included the present cities of Placentia, Anaheim, Fullerton, La Habra, and Yorba Linda. In 1865 Placentia's first English-speaking pioneer, Daniel Kraemer, purchased 3,900 acres of the Rancho. Three years later, William McFadden and his wife Sarah Jane, purchased an additional 100 acres. Within a few years many more settlers arrived, and as the community slowly developed, schools and churches were erected. During this period the Cajo´n School District was formed, but in 1878 at the suggestion of Sarah Jane McFadden, the name was changed to the Placentia School District; "Placentia" is derived from a Spanish word meaning "pleasant place to live". Eventually, the name was applied to the entire town as well. In 1910, a farmer by the name of Albert Sumner Bradford was instrumental with putting Placentia on the map. Bradford, who owned a water company that supplied irrigation to the area's farms, was responsible for laying out the city streets, as well as for persuading the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway to re-route a track through the area, thus shortening the rail distance to Los Angeles. By 1926 the area had over 500 residents, and they all voted to incorporate. In 1960 population had reached 5,000, and within ten years, the population had skyrocketed to nearly 25,000 residents. In 1971, the city of Placentia was honored with the prestigious "All American City" Award. Some notable residents have included: Michael Chang, Chris Draft, Janet Evans, Phil Nevin, Rubi Marlene Sandoval, Dick Schofield, Julie Swail, and Brett Tomko (Athletes); James Cameron (Director); Daryl F. Mallett, Jill Nicolini, Audrina Partridge (Actors); and Agent Orange, D-Loc, Kottonmouth Kings, and Johnny Richter (Musicians). Photograph shows interior of the Placentia Public Library, as seen from the entrance. The main room (pictured) includes the circulation desk on the right, several tables and chairs toward the rear, a large floor-standing world globe, several hanging light fixtures, and custom shelving along the perimeter of the room. Carlton Winslow designed this beautiful library in 1926, which was located on Bradford Avenue. When this building was outgrown, the library moved to its new location in the Civic Center in 1974. The "old" library building is now the Edwin Powell Building, and is used as a Senior Center.
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;20 x 26 cm. on board 20 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
