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Posted in Southern California Attractions, Small Towns January 21, 2017 by Angela

These Rare Vintage Photos Of This Southern California Town Are Beyond Charming

Vintage photos of this Southern California city will make you long for the good ol’ days. Or…it’s possible that seeing just how many things have changed might make you appreciate everything we have today.

Here’s a rare look at one of our favorite SoCal towns from the 1800’s through 1974. It’s truly delightful to see the transformation of Santa Ana. Do you have any fond memories from any of these spots?

1. 1974 -- A vintage shot taken at First Street and Daisy of the A&W Root Beer Drive-In. This sure makes me crave a root beer float!

2. 1974 -- Who remembers the Alpha Beta on Tustin Avenue? Seems like only yesterday...

3. 1974 -- The historic Yost Theatre in downtown Santa Ana back in the 1970s. The more things change the more they stay the same!

4. 1973 -- Santa Fe Depot as it was in the '70s. Just take a look at those cars!

5. 1960s -- Long before it was MainPlace Mall, this stretch of land used to be Santa Ana Fashion Square way back when.

6. 1940 -- Off we go...on our way to Santa Ana circa 1940.

7. 1927 -- Sawyer's White Garage along 4th Street shows a different side of Santa Ana a long, long time ago.

8. 1911 -- The Santa Fe Depot in Santa Ana looks absolutely quaint.

9. 1910 -- Photo captured on the corner of 4th and Main Street in Santa Ana during a Ringling Bros. Circus parade.

10. 1891 -- Back when there wasn't a single car on the road. Things sure look a lot more peaceful without modern-day traffic clogging up the streets.

11. 1891 -- This group photo at the Santa Ana Fire Department captures a rare moment in time with the town's firefighters.

13. 1887 -- A rare photo of 4th street that captures what life was like in Santa Ana in the 1800s.

Now that was a blast from the past! For more vintage photos of Southern California, take a look at these rare images from the 1950’s.

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Angela

Angela is the staff writer for Only in Your State - Southern California.