From the cupola which once adorned this building, newlywed couples could view the small town of Santa Ana and verdant fields and groves which lay beyond. Orange county would change greatly in the ensuing years. But the Old Courthouse would endure as one of the County's most prominent buildings, a symbol of strength and continuity.
From its construction in 1901, the Old Courthouse has been the traditional home of County government. From far reaching court cases to the everyday activities of government, the Old courthouse has touched the lives of many. After a lengthy restoration, it continues to house several County offices as well as the Old Courthouse Museum. Please use this brochure as a guide to the building and its grounds.
You may wish to start your tour in the orientation exhibit area in the first floor lobby.
Orientation Area
The orientation area may be reached by entering the building from the north (parking lot) side or by taking the elevator to the first floor. This level is a partial basement. Walk through the elevator lobby into the main lobby. This floor now houses Orange County Archives. The orientation area is located at the south end of the main lobby.
The orientation area provides visitors with an overview of the history of the Old Courthouse, utilizing photographs and historic artifacts. For many years the space served as a press room.
In the narrow room beyond the orientation area, note the ceiling. Prismatic lens panels embedded in the porch above permit light to travel below. From here, you may walk to the south facing exit or make use of the north exit at the elevator lobby.
Exterior and Grounds
Many of Orange County's turn-of-the-century residents were new arrivals from the East and Midwest who had been lured by low railroad fares and tales of health and wealth. They helped forge a sense of community in their new home with the construction of Orange County's first permanent courthouse.
Santa Ana was selected as the County seat after Orange County was formed in 1889. By 1893, William Spurgeon, the founder of Santa Ana, sold to the County this parcel of land on the condition that "a courthouse be erected on the property within ten years." In 1898 the County constructed its first jail on the northern portion of the lot and landscaped the block with trees, some of which are still in existence on the Santa Ana Boulevard side of the block. The location of the old jail is outlined in the north parking lot.
By 1900, the Board of Supervisors selected Los Angeles architect C.L. Strange to prepare plans for the building. Strange selected a building style now called Richardsonian Romanesque, which had fallen out of favor some fifteen years previous. Yet, it was the traditional courthouse style many of the residents could recall from their days back home. The original ink-on-linen architectural drawings prepared by Strange are on display on the lower floor lobby.
The massive horizontality of the building, the ornamented capitals of the columns, the rhythm of semicircular arches are all characteristics of the Richardsonian Romanesque style; While many public buildings were built in this style throughout the United States, the Old Courthouse is one of the few remaining examples of the style in Southern California.
The building was constructed of brick with a steel superstructure. Veneers of granite and Arizona sandstone sheaths the entire building. Stonemasons created a variety of stone finishes:
rusticated, smooth, carefully dressed corners. Of special note are the elaborate carvings still visible on three sides of the building. Above the main entrance is an example of tracery with stylized images of twining leaves, flowers, and animal heads. On the east (Sycamore Street side) of the building remains a carved balcony featuring a female face, possibly that of the Goddess of Justice. A carved image of the scales of justice is visible on the carved balcony on the west (Broadway) side. The gable ends, which are now covered with painted stucco, were originally faced with matching red sandstone. This stone was badly damaged during the 1933 earthquake and never replaced. A tower-like cupola made of pressed metal once graced the top of the building until it was removed shortly after the 1933 quake.
Main Floor and Lobby
Walk up the front exterior stairs or take the elevator from the lower floor elevator lobby.
For over ninety years, many thousands of citizens have passed through this space to obtain a marriage license, pay taxes, or observe their government at work. Through the years the Board of Supervisors, Auditor, Treasurer, County Clerk, Coroner, Public Administrator, Tax Collector, and Assessor have maintained offices on this floor. Today, this area is occupied by the Public Services Division (Marriage Licences and Fictitious Business Names) of the County Clerk and the hearing rooms of Assessment Appeals.
The lobby looks much as it did at the turn of the Century. The grand staircase features monumental Corinthian columns, Tennessee marble air treads, and oak handrails. The open ironwork in the stair risers was designed to let air bow throughout the building's core, from basement to cupola, for ventilation.
The remaining original floor tile can be seen on the landing. The tile on the lobby floor was produced to match the original, as was the tile wainscoting.
Third Floor Lobby Rotunda
Walk up the grand staircase or take the elevator to the third floor. The widespread use of electrical lighting was still in its infancy when the Old Courthouse was constructed. Though the building was among the first in the area to be de-signed for electrical use, power was available for limited times during the day. To compensate for this, a large skylight illuminates the rotunda. Wall sconces, called gasolierelectroliers, as well as the chandeliers elsewhere in the building, accommodated both electrical and gas lamps.
Superior Court Department One and Adjacent Rooms
The Old Courthouse has been the site of many far reaching court cases. Department One was the County's only Superior Courtroom from the building's opening until 1914 when a second department was added across the lobby in the area which is now the exhibit gallery.
Department One looks much as it did when the building was constructed. Woodwork, including the judge's bench, is original, as is most of the furniture. Lighting fixtures are reproductions based on historical photographs.
The door to the north side of the rear of the courtroom opens to the Court Reporter's Office. It was the responsibility of the court reporter to record and transcribe the proceedings of a trial for the public record. In 1901, the court reporter would read his shorthand trial notes into the new Edison dictating machine, which would "image" sounds onto wax cylinders. A person listening to the cylinder's would type the trial transcripts. To make the cylinders reusable, one "erased" or shaved off with a cylinder shaving machine a very thin layer of wax (in truth, a resin). It was state of the art court reporting at the turn of the century. Many arti- facts in this room are original and belonged to the County's first court reporter, Lester Slaback. The oriental rugs in the office, the Jury Room, and Judge's Chambers are all similar to the 1901 floor coverings.
Behind the jury box at the front of the courtroom is the Jury Room. Twelve jurors decided cases in this room, a process which often took hours or days. For their comfort, a rest room and a large coat closet were placed off this room. In 1901, one men's rest room was sufficient since women were not registered voters and accordingly could not serve on juries. After the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1920 and women were consequently enfranchised, a ladies room was added.
Across the courtroom from the jury box is the Judge's Chambers. This room served as the judge's office as well as a place for private hearings and meetings. Furnishings in this room are from the turn of the century.
Old Courthouse Museum Exhibit Gallery
Across the foyer from the Department One Courtroom is the exhibit gallery of the Old Courthouse Museum. The former Department Two courtroom, the exhibit gallery features temporary and traveling history exhibits. The museum is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Fact Sheet
Construction: 1900-1901. Dedicated November 12, 1901.
Historic Resources Designation: National Register of Historic Places, California State Historic Landmark No. 837: Rededication: November 12, 1987.
The Old Orange County Courthouse is a facility of County of Orange Harbors, Beaches and Parks.
You are invited to support the Old Orange County Courthouse and Old Courthouse Museum by becoming a member of the Old Courthouse Museum Society. For further information, please request a membership brochure at Room 304, or write to:
Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, or of handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any way should rite to:
For a unique and central location to hold your special event, consider the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana. This landmark provides the gracious and distinguished atmosphere of historic architecture, with facilities suitable to many of today's special events.
Operated by the County of Orange, this monumental building has been restored to its original turn-of-the-century appearance. The lobby rotunda, courtroom, exhibit gallery, and jury room are suitable for virtually every function. Set in a historic park-like setting, the Old Courthouse provides a charming ambiance for business meetings, conferences, seminars, weddings, receptions, classes and many other business, social, and civic events.
Yesterday and Today
The Old County Courthouse is
the oldest courthouse in Southern California. Completed in 1901 in the
Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style, this three story building was the
pride of a young Orange County. Festivities marking the building's opening were
an all-day celebration, a musical program, banquet, and a "grand
illumination" which demonstrated the building's ornate dual electric and
gas lighting system. The celebrants were justifiably proud of the new red
sandstone and granite building, which was the center of county government. They
could boast that their new courthouse included then, as it does today, beautiful
tile, oak wainscoting, and a grand stairway of marble, wrought iron, and oak.
The courthouse soon became a favorite place for weddings and the scene of famous
trials. It is now the scene of movie making, receptions, meetings and
conferences, as well as housing a museum of Orange County history and several
county offices.
Substantial portions of the Old Courthouse are available for rental. They include:
Foyers and Staircase --- This restored 1901 space is the primary public area in the building and provides a beautiful setting for receptions. The staircase, with; its marble stairs, oak rails, and iron grilles' joins the third floor foyer and the main floor foyer. The third floor foyer is approximately 900 square feet in size and features a skylight, oak wainscoting, and replica light fixtures. The main floor-foyer, which spills into two corridors and the, entry, features replica light fixtures and beautifully replicated ceramic tile wainscoting and floor tile to match the original.
Exhibit Gallery --- This 1914 courtroom space which has been adapted to a history museum exhibit gallery features oak wainscoting, a skylight, replica light fixtures and wall-to-wall carpeting. The gallery, which is approximately 2,000 square feet, has a capacity of seventy-five persons and would be suitable for small receptions and for use in conjunction with other rooms.
Historic Courtroom --- This restored 1901 courtroom features complete original oak furnishings, oak wainscoting, a high coved ceiling, replica light fixtures, and skylight. The courtroom is approximately 2,000 square feet in size with theater seating for 76 people; there is additional seating for 24 persons. The courtroom is suitable for wedding ceremonies, lectures, seminars, presentations, and meetings.
Historic Courtroom --- The 1901 jury room, adjacent to the historic courtroom, is twenty-six by fifteen feet in size and contains replica light fixtures and two nine foot original oak conference tables with sixteen antique chairs. The jury room is suitable for small group meetings of up to eighteen persons.
Grounds --- The 1.3 acres of grounds are suitable for outdoor presentations or festivals. They contain magnificent magnolia, camphor, and palm trees.
Fee Schedule
| Group I | Group II | Group III | |
| Historic Courtroom | |||
| Meetings/Workshops | No Charge | $90 | $350 |
| Weddings/Ceremonies | No Charge | N/A | $250 |
| Museum Exhibit Room | |||
| Receptions | No Charge | $100 | $400 |
| (Museum conference room available for reception set-up at no additional charge.) | |||
| Main Foyer Staircase | |||
| Receptions | No Charge | $ 50 | $200 |
| (In conjunction with larger receptions on upper floor.) | |||
| Jury Room | |||
| Meetings/Workshops | No Charge | $25 for 4 hours | $100 for 4 hours |
| $40 for 8 hours | $150 for 8 hours | ||
| Exterior | No Charge | $150 | $500 |
User Categories
Group I: County of
Orange sponsored or co-sponsored events; governmental agencies (local or
regional) serving Orange County residents.
Group II: Non-profit civic, social, educational, and historical organizations, conducting non-profit community-oriented services, activities, events, or forums open to the public.
Group III: All other groups, profit-making or non-profit making, commercial businesses and organizations, political and religious groups or individuals conducting activities that are either profit or non-profit making oriented and are either open or closed to the public.
Additional fees are charged for staff time and parking. Staff costs will be determined according to rates approved by the Board of Supervisors.
The County of Orange reserves the right to prohibit activities which may not be consistent with the preservation of the property or its collection or a positive public image of the County of Orange.
Rates are subject to change.
Marshall Duell
Curator
Old Courthouse Museum, EMA
Historical
Programs
(714) 834-2280
Old Orange County Courthouse
211 W. Santa Ana Boulevard
P.O. Box
4048, Santa Ana, CA 92702
(714) 834-3703, 834-5536
The Old Courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. The Old Courthouse Museum is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. The building is normally closed weekends and holidays.
Tours are offered to walk-in visitors on Tuesdays between 10 am and 2 pm. Tours begin on the third floor lobby rotunda. Group and school tours are arranged by appointment. Pre-visit packets for school groups are available.
Disabled access to the Old Courthouse is at the north (Civic Center Drive) side of the building. The lower level elevator lobby is located inside the north doorway.
The Old Courthouse Museum hosts temporary and traveling exhibits and programs. Please call for details.
The Old Courthouse may be reserved for conferences and picture photography.