A peek into this week in Orange County history…
January 17th 1994
As Californians were nestled in bed during the early hours of the morning, the Northridge Earthquake erupted throughout the west San Fernando Valley at 4:31 a.m. on January 17, 1994. A magnitude 6.7 quake caused by the sudden rupture of a previously undocumented blind thrust fault woke thousands of Angelenos and Orange County residents, driving the City of Angels into a frenzy.
January 18th, 1988
A fierce winter storm battered Southern California on Sunday, causing high surf that tore off a chunk of the Huntington Beach Pier and forced the evacuation of more than 30 residents in a South Laguna beachfront community Sunday night.
January 20th, 1915
The founder of Santa Ana and first mayor of the city, William Henry Spurgeon passes away at the age of 88.
January 21st, 1770
Gaspar de Portola camps in what is now Irvine on their trek along the Santa Ana River back to Mexico.
January 22nd 1862
The largest flood in OC’s recorded history puts most of western OC under water causing over $100 million dollars in damage up the coast of California.
January 22nd, 1904
Fullerton votes to incorporate as a city. The measure passes 185 to 44.
