Mission Viejo was conceived and planned in the 1960’s. I find the history, planning, engineering, etc. very interesting since I have a background in Civil Engineering. Planning a community like Mission Viejo takes vision, ambition, talent, money and the right parcel of land. These newspaper stories and ads provide a vague outline of the planning and progress of Mission. The photo above is courtesy First American Title.
Mission Viejo 1960’s
From an Engineering Magazine; you can see Oso Creek how it crossed under the old 4-lane San Diego Freeway and emptied on the other side, abutted by the RR Tracks.
News story from 1961 noting the Rancho Mission Viejo land sale.
News story from 1964; Mission Viejo planning.
New City of Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo is Here!
Full page ad for Deane Homes 1966
Full page ad from 1966
La Paz Homes Ad from 1966
Construction begins on the Mission Viejo Golf Course; 1966
Ad for the Monterey Homes in Mission Viejo 1966
Another cool full page ad for the La Paz Homes from 1966
Publicity photo from 1967; plans for Marguerite O’Neill School
O’Neill School Groundbreaking 1967
Opening of Marguerite O’Neill School from 1967
Plans for Saddleback College 1968
Plans for Shopping Center at La Paz and Muirlands 1968
Old MacDonald’s Farm. This is where Kaleidescope is right now. I remember enjoying it when it was at Knott’s.
Publicity story about the 5000th Mission Viejo resident from 1968; old Mission Viejo sign in photo.
Beautiful Mission Viejo; did this young woman inspire this phrase? 1969
Granada Homes Opening 1969
Mission Viejo 1970’s
I remember growing up in Westminster in the 1960’s and 1970’s and going south to the San Diego Zoo with my family. We took the San Diego Freeway, of course, and I would see the old Mission Viejo sign with orange letters perched on the slope adjacent to the freeway, advertising the brand new city. I had learned about Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission San Luis Obispo and others, but I had never heard of Mission Viejo. True story.
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All of the newspaper stories and ads shown above were downloaded from public newspaper archives. Some of the photos below are by Gene Kennedy
Eastbrook Homes Newly Constructed 1985
View of Mission Viejo from La Paz in Laguna Hills; around 1979
Evergreen Homes Under Construction 1985
Homes in Canyon Crest Under Construction 1985
Freeway Billboard Advertising Mission Viejo
Safeway at Trabuco and Marguerite; Looks Like About 1978
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