Fullerton in 1949

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

The Local History Room of the Fullerton Public Library has microfilm from the Fullerton Daily News-Tribune newspaper stretching back to 1893. I am in the process of reading over the microfilm, year by year, to get a sense of what was happening in the town over the years, and creating a mini archive. Below are some news stories from 1949.

National and World News

In world news, the Russians tested their first atomic bomb–a pivotal event in the Cold War.

American planes were dropping food and aid into Russian-blockaded Berlin as part of the famous Berlin airlift.

The “Red Scare” was increasing in intensity, as famous Hollywood actors (including Frank Sinatra, Orson Welles, Charlie Chaplin, and Gregory Peck) were charged with being communists (they were not).

Although mass shootings are generally seen as a 21st century phenomenon, there was a mass shooting in Camden, New Jersey when a “Bible-carrying war veteran described as a near religious fanatic” shot and killed 12 people.

Local Pilots Set World Endurance Record

Perhaps the biggest local news event of 1949 was the flight endurance record set by local pilots Dick Reidel and Bill Barris who flew their plane the Sunkist Lady for 1008 hours.

Annexation Fight with Anaheim

The second biggest local news story of 1949 was an annexation fight between Fullerton and Anaheim over a strip of “no man’s land” that once separated the two towns. At stake was future tax dollars from housing and industrial development. After much legal maneuvering, court fights, resident protests, and council meetings, Fullerton won the fight over the coveted land.

Housing

After World War II, Fullerton entered a period of rapid growth, as housing subdivisions replaced orange and walnut groves.

Another notable housing issue in 1949 was the end of wartime era rent controls, which had been put in place to protect renters during a period of a housing shortage. Landlords were keen to end rent control, and they were successful.

Education

To accommodate the population growth, new schools were constructed. In 1949, Fullerton opened Valencia Park school.

New schools and expansion of existing schools were often paid for with bonds.

Infrastructure

As Orange County grew, new infrastructure was needed, including an expanded sewer system, paid for with a bond measure.

The 1940s and 1950s saw the dawn of freeways in Southern California which required using eminent domain to acquire land from property owners.

Culture and Entertainment

For culture and entertainment, Fullertonians went to see movies at the Fox Theater (which still exists) and the Wilshire Theater (which is now an apartment building).

Famous Broadway singer John Raitt, who was from Fullerton, returned to his hometown for a special concert.

Fullerton hosted a Fall Festival that drew thousands.

Sports

In sports news, professional baseball teams would play games at Amerige Park.

Hometown hero Del Crandall entered the big leagues.

Business

The pages of the Fullerton News-Tribune contain advertisements for some notable local brands that started in Fullerton and went on to be big national brands, including Hawaiian Punch.