The Truth Behind El Toro's English Colony

With the nuptials of Prince William of Wales and his intended, Kate Middleton, just days away, I’d like to talk about our community’s connection to Great Britain.

What? You’ve never heard about English colony?

Not to worry. Although very little from that period in El Toro history still exists, it should be noted that the “very little” is nevertheless impressive. St. George’s Episcopal Mission, one of four historic buildings in Heritage Hill Park at Serrano Road and Lake Forest Drive, was dedicated in 1891, moved from its original location (south of the train tracks along Orange Avenue) in 1976 and, speaking of weddings, continues to serve in that capacity to this day. 

But back to our story.

Calling All Gentleman Farmers

Dwight Whiting, as we’ve learned, was the wheeler-dealer rancher entrepreneur who wanted the community that sat on a portion of his land to become more than a collection of farmhouses. To that end, he persuaded the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to build a nearby train depot. He also spearheaded the move to establish a local school and school district.

Whiting’s most intriguing project, however, involved his efforts to turn the little whistle-stop of El Toro into what historian Joe Osterman called “a colony of gentlemen farmers.” To recruit said farmers, Whiting wrote a 111-page book, Fruit Farming for Profit In California.  That the book was published in 1893 London, and that the author's byline read “Dwight Whiting, El Toro, Orange County, California” is telling, for he was specifically interested in luring the disenfranchised second and third sons of wealthy British families to immigrate to El Toro.

Here are a few selling points from Whiting’s book:

• “Transportation is unsurpassed (several trains pass through daily) and there is a fine grammar grade public school in flourishing condition.”
• “An English reverend, late of London, now presides over the spiritual needs of the inhabitants in a newly erected Episcopal church.”
• “For recreation there will be a library of standard agricultural works, billiard room, tennis court, cricket, trout and sea fishing, boating and bathing, as there are two watering places within nine miles of El Toro.”
• “There is no place where wines and spirits are sold within nine miles. There is no need of pistols or revolvers.”

That final point, by the way, might have been a clever way of glossing over a notorious local murder from the previous year, some 10 miles away, at the ranch of world-famous Polish-born actress.

Whiting's Folly?

According to Clara Mason Fox’s  Whiting's first trip to England on behalf of his fledgling community occurred in 1889, and “a second trip was made later.” It’s fair to speculate that the second trip happened right around the time Whiting’s book was published, and it should be acknowledged that his efforts did garner some success. But as Osterman states in The Old El Toro Reader, “very few of the ‘colonists’ were from England. Several were of English descent, but they came from Texas.”

All the same, Osterman adds, “Those who came made some strong contributions. They grew fruit crops such as apricots, peaches, plums, and prunes [and] they built beautiful homes on the small hills of the area.” And, Osterman continues, “The women formed a Ladies’ Aid Society, which helped the people of the community.”

Fox notes, “The first English settler in El Toro was S. H. Cope. He did not come here directly from England, but had been living in Tustin, arriving there in 1888.” Eventually, Cope found his way to El Toro, purchased 10 acres from lesser-known land promoters E. D. Cook and J. N. Victor and, being a skilled carpenter, built a home on his property’s knoll.

But, Fox adds, “The first English colonist on the Whiting tract was Dr. E. Petrie Hoyle,” another ex-Texan. Interestingly enough, soon after arriving in the Saddleback Valley, Hoyle purchased Whiting’s original home and 300 surrounding acres.

Another Englishman, born and raised in London, was A. C. Twist, who, along with his new wife, arrived in 1893 to work for Hoyle and eventually build his own home. Twist would stay in El Toro 14 years, his many acres of apricot orchards causing him to become fairly wealthy. Eventually he sold his property to the and moved to Santa Ana.

But perhaps the most notable British transplant was Capt. George R. Huddy. He arrived in 1893, purchased land fromWhiting and built a home “up on a knoll adjacent to Aliso Road, then planted his place to apricots, walnuts, peaches and apples.” The well-regarded captain, Fox adds, was “a fine gentleman of the old school, had followed the sea for 30 years, first in sailing ships, between England and Australia; then in auxiliary ships, then in full-powered ones.” We’ll be learning more about Huddy in a future installment of El Toro & More.

The Cottages and Their Demise

What ever happened to all those wonderful homes built by the English colony? As with many early Orange County structures, each eventually fell victim to new development. Fortunately, a number of photos remain, testament to the grace and beauty of these homes, which were typically Greek revival or Queen Anne Victorian style, their only concession to California heritage being verandas that wrapped around two or three sides. It also should be noted that the homes were constructed on raised foundations and, because of their locations on knolls, had wonderful views and took excellent advantage of whatever cool breezes happened to waft through the Saddleback Valley.

So if you happen to be glued to your telly this coming week, watching the royal wedding and its attendant pageantry, consider raising your cuppa tea not only to toast William and Kate, but also the enterprising British souls who—whether via Texas, Tustin or Timbuktu—somehow made it to El Toro and helped develop the community we now call our own.

After You Get Your Brit Fix

After the wedding, when April officially morphs into May, don't forget Heritage Hill’s annual Rancho Days Fiesta. Set for May 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., it will feature Ballet Folklorico, rancho-era dance demonstrations, hands-on activities and crafts, mid-19th-century music,  tours of all four historic Heritage Hill buildings and, for a nominal cost, refreshments. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children (free for ages 2 years and younger). Call 949-923-2230 for more information, or go online at www.ocparks.com/heritagehill..