Books of Santa Paula
Images of America—Santa Paula
Santa Paula was built on the foundations of citrus cultivation and oil
production. Ventura County's first irrigated 100-acre orange
orchard was planted at Santa 
Paula in 1874, and the original
1888 harvest was so plentiful and delicious that the Limoneira
Ranch Company was incorporated in 1893 and continues to thrive.
Oil seeps brought wildcatters, and California's first gusher
came in at Santa Paula in 1888. The town's twin notorieties
through the 20th century were its designation as the "citrus
capital of the world" and as the birthplace of the Union Oil
Company of California (UNOCAL – now absorbed by Chevron). Lemons
and avocados remain the primary tree crops, the oil fields still
produce, and the small-town character of bygone days has been
preserved—Santa Paula has the largest concentration of vintage
structures in the county.
Author Mary Alice Orcutt Henderson, the president of the Santa Paula Historical Society, is the great-granddaughter of an 1882 homesteader on land that the family continues to farm. The granddaughter of William Warren Orcutt, the "dean of petroleum geology," Henderson has written several other publications on Santa Paula's history.
The photographs illustrating this tour through the community's past, from 1870s to 1930, were drawn from the Archives of the Santa Paula Historical Society and private collections of family photos never before published.
An Images of America publication, it is one in a series which celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.
Glancing Through The Headlines
This book was the creative result of Henderson reading through
original copies of a vintage hometown newspaper. She picked the
years of Horace McPhee’s tenure as editor/publisher, 1916–1924,
because of the flavor he lent 
to his publication. These were the
years of the World War, Influenza, Prohibition, Women’s Suffrage
and other less eventful but important daily happenings in a
small town. Subtle ironies and humor glimmer among Henderson’s
choice of news stories and ads. Altogether, her tight focus on
the life and times of Santa Paula through its press is an
offbeat way to tell an honest, historical story. An excellent
companion to her newest publication.
Images of America—Santa Paula can be purchased for $25 (includes S&H) by sending check or money order to:
The Santa Paula Historical Society
P.O. Box 842
Santa Paula, CA 93061
Your copy will be sent to you promptly.
Glancing Through The Headlines can be purchased for $15 (includes shipping and handling) by sending check or money order to:
The Santa Paula Historical Society
P.O. Box 842
Santa Paula, CA 93061
Your copy will be sent to you promptly.