Plaza Park — Attraction in Orange

I have lived in the area since 1984. I grew up in an apartment about a mile from the Circle. It was different then.

It was The Gallery before Big Red Comics. It was Erazmataz, Dr Dream and The Endz punk shops before all the trendy eateries. It was Hells Angels' bikes parked at Paul's before the Vagos MC. It was when you couldn't go to the Street Fair on a Fri or Sat night without getting into a fight. It was when there were unlit old alleys and an abandoned shop or two to sneak into. The College was small, just a few buildings and they hosted Dungeons & Dragons Nights open to the public. It was when the small field in front of the old Orange High School bldg at the college was more of a ditch and the sprinklers made it into a slip n slide. You could go to Rod's to buy the necessary ingredient to go ice blocking.

I was walking on the Circle one time with my Brother, just kicking a can and having fun. We finished the game and kept walking and a cop stopped us and made us go back and throw away the can. And we did.

It was different times.

The Circle was the hub, the heartbeat of the community. It was safe at any hour. It was The Lofts and Army Navy and the antique shop with the hidden downstairs area where you could buy Rat Fink model kits.

It was Satellite Market.

It was an oasis from the wanna be tough guys in OVC just a block away.

It was in the path we took, walking to and from school at Orange High every day.

And I hear they had a nice little...

About 30 miles south of Los Angeles and founded in 1871, this area is now a one-square-mile historic district known as Old Towne, and it’s hard to take a step without stumbling upon history, beginning with the plaza’s 1937 fountain here at Plaza Square Park that was dedicated on December 1, 1937. The original fountain had been erected on this spot in 1886. A plaque at the fountain's base proclaims "Whoever passes here, let him remember the brave men of the Orange community who have in all times gone to the defense of their country." You’ll find more than 1,300 homes and buildings surrounding the central park area (cross streets of Glassell & Chapman) many of them are originals that date back to the town's early years, and all are covered under the district’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It all feels very connected to the early 20th century, thanks to places like Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain, & Renee Jewelers that have been a part of the fabric here for more than a...

Orange plaza is always a delightful place to go. They have bird feeders with birds that costly come by to chatter and talk to you. It got walking paths to take you through the center of the circle and show you the seasons that are flowing past. You'll find Starbucks, the Masonic center, Krystal's hair studio, Wells Fargo, bagel me, Pizza, pies and more. it's a place that I feel comfortable walking in whether it's 8 a.m. in the morning or 12 at night. It's a place to celebrate enjoy being part of a small community. Although parking can be limiting, there are city parking lots as well as places to park around the center and I've never had a time when I haven't been able to park. If you enjoyed my review, please LIKE 👍me. As always thank you for your time and energy. Living absolutely...