NEWS
HISTORY OF WALNUT SQUARE
A View from the Past to the Present
As we look through the original advertising brochure dated August 1972, it is interesting to read what Pacesetter, the builder, had to say about Walnut Square. Here are some excerpts:
"Walnut Square is an exciting new dimension in carefree townhome living for growing families - thanks to Pacesetter Homes. A decade ago, a series of homes introduced in Orange County became the design leaders for thousands of homes built during the 1960's. They stressed texture, natural woods and masonry. Pacesetter has brought a uniquely contemporary California styling to Walnut Square. This could be just what your family has been searching for. It's in the fabulous central Irvine area, close to everything, even fresh, clean air.
Select your new Walnut Square townhome from three (originally 5) breathtaking exterior designs, all very different in concept, all equally eye-catching. Striking townhome designs feature huge windows that let in plenty of light, soaring roof lines, massive rough-hewn timbers, richly shingled exteriors, bold wood accents, extra-heavy cedar shake roofs with wide overhangs, and upper-level outdoor decks. Lush landscaping. Large fenced rear yards, enclosed garages with huge storage spaces, complete carpeting.
A large, landscaped plot at the heart of Walnut Square is reserved just for family fun and recreation. Name your game. Basketball anyone? Or plop a big, thick steak on a gas-fired barbecue. Walnut Square has a huge swimming pool and a wading pool for toddlers, tot's sand lot, even courts for tether ball, hop scotch and four square.
Walnut Square is located in the fabulous central Irvine area, close to fine schools and universities, and only fast freeway minutes from major employment complexes, shopping centers, ocean beaches and marinas - and all the fantastic leisure-time attractions that Southern California has to offer."
Back when this brochure advertised the 3rd phase of Walnut Square, orange groves lined the north side of Walnut Avenue from Culver Drive to Jeffrey Road.
As we turned onto Kazan, we discovered Walnut Square Townhouses. The full-page ads in the real estate section of the paper did not do it justice.
It looked like a community transported from Lake Arrowhead. All the buildings then were natural wood color. The shake shingle
siding and roofs, the trees everywhere - we felt like we were up in the mountains.
At that time, only half of the buildings were completed and phase 3 of 4 was just going on sale that week-end, while still under construction.
The central park was complete as well as homes on both sides of Kazan. Oval Road only went as far as the first two buildings on each side from Kazan. A wooden fence blocked off the tract that was under construction. The south end of Oval and Elksford were
the final phase of Walnut Square, to come later.
The architect's scale model of the development was on a large table in the sales office. While we looked over the tree-lined streets and central park to decide which we would choose for our first (and only) home purchase, the sales agent was finishing up a big $100,000. transaction with a buyer who was investing in 4 units.
Then the sales agent turned to us and walked us through the decision we have never regretted. We wrote out the deposit check and made the first visit to see our new home, just in framing at that time. Each week-end we would drop by with our camera to heck on how our first home was coming along.
The trees today do not look anything like the little saplings planted. Heavy El Nino rains and winds back then whipped loose the small trees along Oval Road. We kept green plastic tape handy and would go down Oval Road to fasten them back to their supports. (Today we cannot even reach around those same trees.)
Window Box is also a good description of Walnut Square. We are made up a beautiful mix of flowers of all ages and from all over the world in our little community. You see this as you go for a walk, as you enjoy the park and the swimming pool. We are an international bouquet of community members.
Barranca Avenue was a narrow two lane road that followed the row of eucalyptus trees along the creek side. It only went from Jeffrey Road to Culver Drive and was great for a quiet bike ride.
The salesman explained to us that Walnut Square is a Window Box community. Some of the Irvine Company employees would receive a gift of land when they retired. Walnut Square is built on some of this land, so we are not on land leased from the Irvine Company, but each of us actually own a part of Walnut Square.
Window Box is also a good description of Walnut Square. We are made up a beautiful mix of flowers of all ages and from all over the world in our little community. You see this as you go for a walk, as you enjoy the park and the swimming pool. We are an international bouquet of community members.
There have been many changes since we moved in November 1972. The natural wood has been painted. Storage room doors have been replaced. And most recently the upgrading of the garage doors has been completed. Even the swimming pool has a new filtering machine.
No longer are there asparagus and tomato fields going down Jeffrey Road and Culver Drive. The duck ponds that used to attract hunters along Irvine Center Drive between Harvard and Culver are a faded memory. Meadow Larks and coyotes no longer visit the orange groves along Walnut and Jeffrey, nor do the large fans spinning in the groves during frost warnings keep us awake at night.
Barranca Avenue was a narrow two lane road that followed the row of eucalyptus trees along the creek side. It only went from Jeffrey Road to Culver Drive and was great for a quiet bike ride.
Yes, there have been many changes in these 30 years of enjoying Walnut Square. Would we live anywhere else? Not on your life!
Jack and Pat Scroggins (2002)