Dana Point History: The Woodruff Era

1926      Sidney Woodruff formed the Dana Point Syndicate, in partnership with the Chandler family of the L.A. Times and General M. H. Sherman, in order to purchase Anna Walters Walker's holdings and buy additional lands to develop a seacoast recreational community named Dana Point.

1928     Eventually, some 35 houses were built, 13 by Mr. Woodruff, the rest by purchasers of plots sold by Mr. Woodruff.

1930      Mr. Woodruff conducted a ground-breaking ceremony for the Dana Point Inn, but the Depression forced the termination of the building of the Inn.  A few features of the construction remain.

1939     The Dana Point Inn Syndicate was formally dissolved, and the land was sold off to the Chandler family, ending the Woodruff era in Dana Point.  

Developer Sidney Woodruff's Sales Office

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Save the Date!

2008 (the Ninth) Annual Home Tour

"A Romantic Stroll through Historic Homes & Gardens
on the Bluff above Dana Point Harbor"

Sunday, October 5, 2008

A walk along the historic streets of romantic Dana Point.
Visit the historic and contemporary homes on charming Santa Clara.
Walk the historic tree-lined El Camino Capistrano
with its bluff-top homes and lovely gardens.  

Be a Sponsor. .. Promote Your Business ... and the Society ... Click here!

The Historical Society, following its mission of preserving not only the historic buildings of Dana Point, but also the character of the city and, particularly, of its historic streets, is planning a walking tour of that area for its Ninth Annual Home Tour.  We visualize an afternoon similar to tours in other Orange County cities with a closed street, perhaps a vintage auto display, a few local restaurants providing a “Taste of Dana Point” and docents along the streets and in the homes to inform visitors of the significance of the street and the homes.  A printed program would guide the visitors along the streets and describe the various historic and interesting contemporary homes.

Homeowners may want to show their gardens, the ground floor of their homes or, if historically significant, the entire home and emphasize its part in the early development of Dana Point .  We believe that owners of historic homes would benefit from bringing to the attention of the public the value of these few homes that Dana Point has, and that the more exposure those homes have, the greater chance that they will be preserved by current and future owners.  Our Society and our city are grateful to owners of historic homes for their care of these local treasures and we would like to emphasize their importance, encourage the preservation of these homes, and show our appreciation of those homeowners who continue to participate in this preservation effort.

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Join us for our Regular Meetings featuring an entertaining and interesting speaker on a historical topic every 4th Wednesday at 7pm.

Our New Meeting Place for 2008

The Dana Point Historical Society will meet regularly on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except March and June) at:

Directions are here.

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Upcoming Events

Founders Day

The Dana Point Historical Society will celebrate its seventh annual Founders Day on May 28, 2008.  This event honors a Dana Point resident who has contributed to and been active in our community.  Past honorees have been Harry Otsubo, Colene Schwandt, Terri & Roxie Lucarelli, Liz & Bill Bamattre, Robert Moore and Helen & Mel Pierce.  This year’s honoree will be announced in our May newsletter, The News Drogher.  The event will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Dana Point Tennis Center , 24911 Calle De Tennis, Dana Point.  Phone 248-8121 for information.

 Scholarship Barbeque

June is the time for the special Doheny State Beach Barbecue on the 25^th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.  This is the annual fund raiser for the Dana Point Historical Society Scholarship Fund.  The Society awards two $750 scholarships each year, one to a Dana Point resident who attends Dana Hills High School and one to a Dana Point resident who attends San Clemente High School.  Please come to this fun event to support the scholarship fund and where you can, for a $15 advance purchase, enjoy a tri-tip & chicken BBQ meal.  Reserve by June 22.  Call 248-8121 for information on making reservations ($10 for children under 12).  Area “A” picnic pavilion at Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.  An interesting speaker will entertain you as you picnic.

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OUR LAST Eighth Annual Home Tour was "the best yet"!

Over 800 participants...Most Yet

"The Secret garden HOME TOUR"

See Great Photos of our latest home tour here!

Stay tuned for our Ninth Annual Home Tour!

Many thanks to all of our 2007 Home Tour Sponsors below:

	Dan & Diane Harkey
Tracy Frye, GRI,SRES,e-Pro 949.842.3300 Tracy@TracyFrye.com	Paul & Aileen Brazeau
Roy Kaminske		Scott Doll
San Juan Capistrano	Cathy McCool
Platinum Plus Sponsor Point Center Financial / Dan & Diane Harkey Founding Sponsor Coldwell Banker / Dan Raphael Golden Plus Sponsor Liquid Stucco of Orange County Golden Sponsors Chase Home Finance / Roy Kaminske Gelson's Markets Orange County Home / Coast Magazine San Clemente Villas by the Sea / Paul & Aileen Brazeau Tarbell Realtors / Tracy Frye Silver Sponsors Doll Capital Advisors / Scott Doll Lucarelli Family Makar Properties / St. Regis McCool Flowers / Cathy McCool Olvera Research / Carlos N. Olvera, PE Pacifica Stone, Tile and Hardwood Saddleback Memorial Medical Center - San Clemente Washington Mutual Home Loans / SJC Crystal Sponsors AMMCOR / Dianne Davega Bauman, Nancy J., CPA Beacon Brokerage Historic Properties / Dena Van Slyke Beal Business Law / Bruce Beal Burnes, Don & Lynn Chick's Plumbing , Chris & Ronda Edmondson Coffee Importers & Scoop Deck / Jim Miller Crowl, Mary & Frank Dana Wharf Sportfishing Ganahl Lumber Company Lucy's El Patio Cafe / Jack Saunderson Williams, Mary Copper Sponsors Abbinante, Marilyn Aperture Photo , Clive Jackman   Aronson, Leslie & Glen Bernheisel , Don & Donna Calmont Wire & Cable   Chilcote, Blanch Chotkevys, Douglas & Susan Dana Point Foreign Car Services European Optical Henderson, Buck & Judy Hinman, Susan Howorth, Rodney J. JT Tabor Construction Kathy Barnum Public Relations Kraft, Robert Kristjanson, Margaret Fay & David Livingston Realty Mertes, Mamie & Wayne Patric Communications, Inc. Photos by Michael / Michael Abbinante Rayfield , Wayne & Caroline Sels, Beverly & Glenn Simmons, Ted & Gwynne Stuft Pizza & Brewing of Dana Point Tabor, James Union Bank of California / Mark Eguchi Walsh, Terry & Lee Westland Brokers, Jerome Shalauta

Join us for our Annual Whale Festival Parade Shenanigans!
See our Award-Winning Parade Efforts Here

Here are pictures from past events:

Thank you for making our 8th Annual Home Tour such a success! 

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The Dana Point Historical Society is a California Non-Profit Corporation
and a Federal 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization: Tax ID# 33-0359288

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