Names Orange County

Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach were once part of an extensive property known as Las Bolsas, which was deeded to Catarina Nieto in 1834 by Spanish Gov. Figueroa. The word bolsas, Spanish for pockets, referred to patches of dry land scattered across the swampy region. Source: "Historic Place Names in Orange County," by Don Meadows

Yorba Linda was named for the area surrounding the home of Don Bernardo Yorba. The adobe home, built in 1834 and considered among the finest in Southern California, was razed in 1926. Nothing remains of the structure today but a stone and bronze marker, which is registered as a California Landmark. Source: "Historic Place Names in Orange County," by Don Meadows

The highest point in the Santa Ana Mountains, Santiago Peak, was known to early Native Americans as Kalawpa, meaning a wooded place. According to Indian lore, the peak was the resting place of Chiningchinish, a god who watched over the local people from his lofty vantage point among the spruce, pine and maple trees. Source: "Historic Place Names in Orange County," by Don Meadows.

Charles Lindbergh had fans in Orange County. He was so popular, in fact, that one town tried unsuccessfully to name itself after the famous aviator. It happen in 1927, soon after Lindbergh had completed his solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Residents of what today is Cypress applied for a post office under the city name of Lindbergh, according to the book "Historic Place Names in Orange County." But for reasons that are unknown, the name was rejected.

An Orange County fund-raising group has been barred from soliciting more money until it provides a full accounting of the money it has raised, Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren announced Friday. The ruling names Orange County Charitable Services of Irvine; its owner, Mitchell D. Gold; his father, Herb Gold; his sister, Cindy Seide, and a business associate, J.P. Cohen. It also names American Veterans Assistance Corp.

To commemorate World AIDS Day on Monday, Placentia Presbyterian Church will display part of the AIDS Memorial Quilt from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The quilt section, on loan through Names Project Orange County, includes panels made in remembrance of people worldwide who have died of AIDS.