Remembering Doris Walker-Smith, Dana Point Historian and Writer

A two-alarm house fire early Sunday morning took the lives of Dana Point resident Doris Walker-Smith—a well-known local historian and writer—and her husband Jack Pierson Smith, 81.

Doris, 78, died late Monday afternoon after suffering critical injuries "with her family by her side," the Dana Point Times reported.

If it had to do with history in Dana Point, Walker-Smith, could probably tell you whatever you wanted or needed to know. During her lengthy career, she had written more than a dozen books including: Images of America: Dana Point;  Orange County Then and Now, Adventurer’s Guide to Dana Point; and Orange County Adventures With Children, to name a few.

Former Laguna Niguel resident and local historian, Mary Decker, who wrote the book, Laguna Niguel: The Legacy and the Progress, with her husband Donald, said, “We worked with Doris many times and I have a lot of respect for her. She was a wonderful local historian and she really knew Dana Point, as well as everyone. I am saddened by the news.”

Here is my interview with Doris from 2009 as it appeared in the OC Register's community paper, the Dana Point News. It is reprinted with permission from the OC Register:

Q: When did you become interested in writing about history?

A: I have been writing for publications since I was 8 years of age; I wrote, produced and distributed a newsletter for my first school, which is still operating, named Nathaniel Hawthorne, an author!

Q: What do you mainly write about and why?

A:  Orange County and California history and lore, and a children’s view of nature.

Q: What is the most fascinating bit of history you have learned about the Orange County? 

A: Orange County’s break with Los Angeles leading up to O.C. in 1889; and the slaughter of otter’s right in our historic Dana Point coves.

Q: What's the best part of what you do?

A: I love the actual act (and art) of choosing and writing down the most appropriate words I can to inform and entertain readers.

Q: The most challenging?

A: Being sure of the facts that I record – and deciding what not to include.

Q: Who do you look up to?

A:  My two sons, who have pursued challenging and quite interesting careers. Brent is a movie historian, published author and script writer for Robert Osborne’s movie introductions on Turner Classic Movies Channel; and a Long Beach resident. Blair is a biomedical engineer, with his name on several dozen patents for medical devices.

Q: What are your favorite Dana Point places?

A: Dana Point harbor, Ocean Institute, Dana Point Library and Friends Bookstore; and anywhere I can see the sea or Saddleback Mountains. They both play roles in my 13th book – Orange County, a Natural History.

Q: What is one thing that you have never done, but would like to in the near future?

A: Circumnavigate South America, including a stop at the legendary and dangerous Cape Horn. We hope to visit New Zealand, a repeat for me.

Q: Why is history important to you?

A: I was always fascinated with foreign languages, having studied French for 13 years starting at age 6 and all the way through college. I added French history and literature courses, and then did the same when I studied the Russian language in college. Latin, too, in high school. The diversity of national and international history and literature is fascinating to me.

Q: How did California inspire your writings?

A: When I arrived in California in 1960, I realized that this state has the multi-cultural history that I was meant for. So, as a writer, that became my theme. I have also written some children’s books about nature, but have not had time to see them published. The history—of our family, our city, our county, our country—is all our roots. My four grandparents all immigrated to the U.S. from England and Germany. I emigrated from the Great Lakes area to California, matching their uprooting from one culture to another. I guess it has determined my philosophy of life.

Q: Who would you like to meet?

A: I would like to meet and interview Richard Henry Dana. I have written so much about him that I would like him to review what I have said and add to my knowledge of him and his times.

Q: Future goals?

A:  I want to continue to write until my fingers stiffen or my brain quits.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A:  Married to Marine Major Jack P. Smith, Retired; two sons.

Q: Any community volunteering?

A: Co-founded the Dana Point Historical Society and have been on the board of directors for 20 years. Also co-founder of the Dana Point Festival of Whales and organized its first parades, which were limited to children.

Q: Hobbies?

A: Getting away with husband on intriguing adventures. 

Q: Education?

A: Arts Baccalaureate in English and Journalism from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, then did graduate work at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Illinois.

An autopsy of both victims may be completed as early as Wednesday, the sheriff's department said.

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