Past Disneyland, past the long stretch of resort hotels on Harbor Boulevard, past the new Anaheim--the Anaheim of tomorrow--sits the last agricultural vestige of the original Anaheim colony: an orange grove.
This two-acre stretch of green in downtown Anaheim is the last working orange grove in a city where once there were acres upon acres of orchards. It is not for sale, at least for now. But many Anaheim residents are lobbying city officials to help them preserve the grove.
A lot next to the grove was recently sold, prompting fear that an office building or apartments will soon border the orange trees. To prevent that, local history buffs are urging the City Council to buy the lot and come up with a plan for the orange grove.
They envision an educational site and a park dedicated to Anaheim's agricultural history. A park where city children can pick the oranges and see farm equipment up close.
"I believe all things are possible, especially when you're talking about preserving history," said Gail Eastman, secretary of the Anaheim Historical Society. "This is an important part of Anaheim's history that needs to be preserved."
It's all part of what residents call a historical renaissance in downtown Anaheim.
This month, the city began installing monuments that mark the boundaries of the original Anaheim colony at North, South, East and West streets. The Redevelopment Agency recently bought Anaheim's last citrus packing plant, a few blocks from the remaining orange grove. They hope to turn that into a museum, restaurant or some combination. And residents have surveyed and registered hundreds of old homes in the area.
Park officials reported to the City Council on the issue last week, saying that the land is most valuable if the orange grove and empty lot can be combined.
But the city is still a long way from a decision.
The community services department is preparing a second report for the council that seeks to answer some questions:
* Who is buying the empty lot, currently in escrow, and would they sell the property?
* Do members of the Pressel family, the longtime owners of the grove, intend to maintain the orange trees, or do they want to sell?
* If the Pressels and the lot owner decide to sell, where would the city find the estimated $1.9 million to buy them?
Ed Pressel, 78, whose grandfather settled in Anaheim more than 100 years ago, said he plans to keep the oranges, at least for now.
