Downtown Fullerton

The land boom of the 1880s in Southern California was fueled by the area’s growing prosperity and was greatly influenced by promotional campaigns from the railroads. Many entrepreneurs left the East Coast during this time to seek their fortunes and one family, the Ameriges, purchased a fruit ranch in what is now Fullerton. They began discussions with the railroad, offering free rights of way and half an interest in the land in exchange for altering the rail lines included in the proposed townsite. In 1887 railroadman George Fullerton accommodated the concept and the town was ultimately named after him in honor of his commitment to bring the railroad to the former mustard field.

As in other parts of Southern California, the citrus industry boomed, especially when a man named Chapman aided in the popularization of the Valencia orange which kept longer than other oranges and ripened later than other varieties. The initial boom of agriculture was superceded when oil was struck in Fullerton in the late 1890s. By the early 1900s, oil wells extended for miles around Fullerton, especially toward the northern reaches of the town’s limits in what is now Brea. The oil boom lasted through the 1920s and with all the money being made by oil tycoons and local businessmen, it’s no wonder that many incredible homes were built during the era.

Incorporation into a city was not easy though as many citizens feared the changes that might occur if the little hamlet became a real city. In fact, early opponents claimed that incorporation into a city would be “tantamount to having a saloon on every corner and a house of ill repute in between.” Nevertheless, Fullerton became a city and the vestiges of the successful oil boom years remain in the incredible structures that are still preserved throughout the city.

Today the Fullerton Historic District is the liveliest of Orange County’s historic districts with a vibrant downtown commercial district. The influence of nearby Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton City College is seen everywhere with students and young professionals cramming the many bars and restaurants nightly creating a fantastic nightlife. Fullerton is by far the best historic district for the buyer who seeks an active downtown core with great historic property to choose from. Prices range from modest to expensive as properties range from small mail order bungalows to impressive custom homes built by the pioneers of the city in its boom years.