Orange County Almanac
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Villa Park was not incorporated until 1962, but the community’s history dates from 1860.
In the early days, the community was known as Mountain View. When residents sought a post office of their own, they found a Mountain View already existed in Northern California. So the new name, Villa Park, was chosen to describe the community.
The city pioneers were ranchers who grew grapes, walnuts, apricots and citrus fruits. Citrus ranchers became the dominant civic force in the community, and they led the successful drive to incorporate the city, mainly to escape possible annexation by the city of Orange. Villa Park now has about 6,400 residents.
Today
Retiring Orange Mayor Gene Beyer will be honored for his decades of community service as an educator, neighborhood activist and elected official.
The City Council lauded him earlier this month, and the Orange County Board of Supervisors designated today “Gene Beyer Day” for his work as a “tireless speaker and role model.”
He will be feted at a 7 p.m. event in the Civic Center Plaza, 300 E. Chapman Ave. Beyer is retiring because of ill health.
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