Oral Histories

Interview of Arthur James McFadden

Director of the Irvine Company and member of the University of California Regents.
Subtitle:
Recollections of Arthur James McFadden
Series:
Z: Orphan Interviews pre 1999
Topic:
Agriculture
Business
Urban Planning and Land Use
Biographical Note:
Director of the Irvine Company and member of the University of California Regents.
Interviewer:
Schippers, Donald J.
Interviewee:
McFadden, Arthur James
Place Conducted:
McFadden's home in Santa Ana, California.
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Processing of Interview:
Donald J. Schippers edited the interview.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.
Abstract:
Uncle's arrival in Orange County, 1868; father follows in 1870; family's land holdings around Santa Ana; inner Newport Bay landing takeover; small ships able to enter bay at high tide; development of Newport Wharf and Lumber Company; Newport area populated by three families in 1880s; railroad built from Santa Ana to Newport; Irvine Ranch and Newport Bay; coastal ship traffic; Southern Pacific Railroad Company; Pacific Electric Railroad built to Newport; early education in Santa Ana; higher education at Pomona College and Harvard Law School; Wilfred Williston; brief legal practice; return to farming; history of Anaheim, Santa Ana, Tustin, Orange, and other towns in portion of Los Angeles County later designated Orange County; citrus, walnut, and grape growing; political influence of Southern Pacific Railroad; conflict between Irvine Ranch and South-ern Pacific Railroad; role in California Walnut Growers Association, California Fruit Exchange; Agriculture Council of California; California State Chamber of Commerce; president, California State Board of Agriculture, 1943-49; member, University of California Board of Regents as result of presidency of Board of Agriculture; promoting development of University of California, Davis, campus.