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Tustin Area Museum


Tustin Area Museum




The Tustin Area Museum has a number of displays highlighting the history of the early days of Tustin and the surrounding area. The displays are informative, and they have a very professional look.



Tustin's first fire engine


Tustin's first fire engine Tustin's first fire engine

Sam Tustin, son of founder Columbus Tustin, donated his 1912 Buick car to the Tustin Chamber of Commerce in the early 1920's to be made into a fire engine. After being remodeled to accommodate the chemical tanks and other equipment, it fought Tustin fires until 1936.

The copper tanks on the back work the same way as the large fire extinguisher.

The crank on the front is for starting the engine.

The helmet and buckets are made of leather.

The gas tank is under the front seat.

Fire fighting equipment and memorabilia Volunteer Firemen from 1929



The Utt Juice Company


Utt Juice Company location in downtown Tustin Display of Utt company photos and products

Around 1918, Ed Utt harvested grapes from his vineyard on Lemon Heights and Peters' Canyon. Unable to find a buyer, he started bottling grape juice on his back porch.

It was so successful, shortly after 1920 he moved the operation into his building at Main and Prospect, taking Arcy Schellhous as his partner. They built the plant in back and purchased all the needed equipment.

Schellhous took over the operations, becoming the sole owner in 1932. He built the business up to where they bottled over 200,000 gallons of a wide variety of juices each year.

Arcy and Mary Schellhous died in an accident in 1970. The plant closed in 1973, unable to find close suppliers or to compete with large companies.

Display of Utt company photos and products   The Utt Juice company produced juices, jellies, jams or preserves, along with hot cake & punch syrups, under the Queen Isabella brand.

The flavors included; Apple, Cactus Apple, Apricot, Wild Blackberry, Boysenberry, Cider, Feijoa, Concord Grape, Muscat Grape, Guava, Loganberry, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Peach, Pear, Persimmon, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Prune, Quince, Red Raspberry, Black Raspberry, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Tomato, and Watermellon.



The Irvine Ranch


Irvine Ranch display Map of the Ranchos

Spanish and Mexican land grants marked the end of the Indian/Mission period as the Mission lands were secularized.

In 1810, the King of Spain granted 62,516 acres to Jose Antonio Yorba and Juan Pablo Peralta, who established the Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. After Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, all grants came from the Mexican governors.

The Irvine Ranch is composed of a long strip of the Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, all of the Rancho Lomas de Santiago (47,226 acres granted to Teodocio Yorba in 1846) and the Rancho San Joaquin (48,803 acres granted to Jose Sepulveda in 1837).



Other Displays


Transportation display Transportation display
Kitchen display Kitchen display
Furniture display Furniture display
Acting and stage display Acting and stage display



The Tustin Area Museum is located at 395 South El Camino Real, in the heart of old town Tustin. See map.



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