Founders’ Park preserves two impressive historic homes from Anaheim’s German-American heritage. The 1857 Mother Colony House is one of Anaheim's earliest homes, and the Woelke-Stoffel House is a two-story Queen Anne built in 1894 during Anaheim's citrus era. An enormous heritage Moreton Bay Fig tree provides expansive shade.
Recently added to the property are a large Carriage House, and a new Pump House and windmill reminiscent of the citrus era. The new outbuildings were typical in 19th century Anaheim. Nearby, the windmill and orange grove demonstrate the vital relationship between water and agricultural prosperity. A vegetable garden, working water pump, clothesline and sundial supply opportunities for hands-on activities.
Founders’ Park is located on the western boundary of the original Anaheim Colony, comprising approximately one acre, of the original 20-acre Vineyard Lot C-7. The Anaheim Colony was originally founded in 1857, with fifty 20-acre Vineyard Lots planted with primarily Mission grapes. Having built a successful viticulture industry, the colonists were devastated when an unknown blight (now called Pierce’s Disease) wiped out 400,000 grapevines between 1884 and 1888. By the 1890s citrus groves had replaced the original vineyards. Additional successful crops included walnuts, Anaheim chili peppers, sugar beets, lima beans, potatoes, cabbages, and strawberries.
The Mother Colony House, the oldest remaining wood-framed building in Orange County, still stands as a symbol of Anaheim’s viticulture era. George Hansen, superintendent of the Los Angeles Vineyard Society, built the house in 1857. Originally located at 235 N. Anaheim Blvd, the structure was saved from demolition by the Mother Colony Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and moved 1928 from Anaheim Boulevard to its current location. The property was donated by the descendant of one of Anaheim’s pioneer families, Marie Horstmann Dwyer. On June 15, 1929 the Mother Colony House was officially dedicated as Orange County’s first historical museum and in 1935 the house was designated a California State Historical Landmark. In 1954 the City of Anaheim accepted the deed to the Mother Colony House from the DAR.
Outside areas open to visits anytime, the inside areas of the historic homes are only open on the first Saturday of the month from 9am-12 noon.
anaheim.net/2475/Founders-Park

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Elevation 10 m

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Friday 7 November

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Location: Anaheim, Orange County, California, United States

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