About OCHS
The Orange Community Historical Society (OCHS) was founded in 1973 and serves as the focal point for those interested in the history of Orange and its surrounding area. The OCHS and its members host events, and contribute to many community activities by providing information about our heritage and by supplying written and photographic resources for those wishing to learn more about our legacy.
We welcome everyone! Join us today.
OCHS Events
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Next Upcoming Free OCHS Program
Join us March 26th for a special night at the Masonic Temple, a building not usually accessible to the general public, for a FREE program that will touch on the history of this 1912 building, once known as the Campbell's Opera House. Former Orange Grove Master Ralph Shelton and Current 2025 Lodge Master Cesar Bustos will also share some background about the Masonic order and early members of this lodge #293 and their place in Orange's history.
This program is FREE and open to all!
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Last OCHS Event
Thank you everyone for joining us for a fantastic Roaring Twenties Party & Presentation at The Villa in Orange on Thursday 1/23/25!
We had a full house “dressed to impress in 20’s fashion” and we enjoyed a delicious dinner, live music, a silent auction and a special presentation on “Al Capone in Orange County” by Historian Chris Jepsen, President of the Orange County Historical Society.
Chris shared the riveting story of how notorious Chicago gangster Al "Scarface" Capone secretly tried to take control of much of South Orange County from 1927 to 1931 with a true life crime story including rancheros, bootlegging, and Capone's face-off with the Padres of Mission San Juan Capistrano!
OCHS Mission
The mission of the Orange Community Historical Society is to commemorate the rich heritage of the City of Orange community. Our purpose is to promote research, events, activities and programs celebrating Orange history; sponsor local history endeavors; and remain self-supporting through memberships, donation bequests and special projects while collecting photographs, written materials and related ephemera and making them available to the public.
Join OCHS &
Take Action
Ready to take the next step? You can become a member, and participate in our mission of collecting and preserving history and our area’s rich heritage.