From Ranchland to a Picturesque Tree-lined City, "Mission Viejo: A Living Legacy" - Margot Ferron

More than 100 people including dignitaries attended the free, Feb. 6 screening of "Mission Viejo: A Living Legacy."  Bob Breton, Director of the documentary welcomed the crowd.  It only seems fitting that Breton would tackle such an enormous project. He was the founder of the Heritage Committee that houses a museum at Melinda Park, past Mission Viejo Mayor and currently Commissioner.

The audience watched 2/3 of script one.  There are seven scripts in all.  Various executives were interviewed from the Mission Viejo Company, but Donald Bren was the dreamer.  The master planners were also the master builders of 11,000 acres of raw land.

“We felt like Mission Viejo should be preserved through oral history, films, slides and prints,” stated Breton.  Mission Viejo library staff and the Mission Viejo Heritage Committee have started to digitize photos through funding from a Library Service and Technology grant, but funding is still needed to complete “Mission Viejo: A Living Legacy.”  Please write your city council members and let them know you want to preserve the history of Mission Viejo.

The audience was given instructions on how to view these interviews from the comfort of their own homes.  To take a virtual tour of more than 400 photographs of community events, you can go to www.cityofmissionviejo.org.  When you have reached the city’s web page, under Home (on the left hand-side in the blue panel) highlight, “See all Departments.”   Scroll down to the “Library” (click on it), scroll down again to “Local History” (click on it), then highlight, “Research It.”  

You are almost there- go to “Local History” (click on it).”   Yeah—you have reached a vast compilation of interviews, photos and history!  Let your finger tips guide you through the “Local History Digital Collections.” Check out Billie Jean King, Greg Louganis, President Gerald Ford or Ronald Reagan and don’t forget the Challenges of the Sexes.

If you have any questions regarding the history of Mission Viejo call (949) 830-7100, ext. 5110 or email them at localhistory@cityofmissionviejo.org.