Trabuco Canyon, California

History

Trabuco is Spanish for blunderbuss, a type of shotgun. Some credit a Franciscan friar traveling with the Gaspar de Portolá Expedition in 1769 with the story that a blunderbuss was lost in the canyon, after which the area was named. A mission was originally to be built in the canyon, but was instead established in San Juan Capistrano.

The Trabuco Adobe was built in 1810 next to the Acjachemen village of Alume that was also identified during the 1769 Portolá expedition, where Juan Crespí wrote, "we made camp close to a village of the most tractable and friendly heathens we have seen upon the whole way."

John (Don Juan) Forster received a Mexican land grant in 1846 and established Rancho Trabuco. The grant was bordered by Rancho Cañada de los Alisos on the west, and by Rancho Mission Viejo on the east.

Trabuco Canyon was the site of attempts to mine tin in the early 1900s. Mining remains from this activity include: tunnels into the sides of the canyon (closed for public safety); the stone foundation of an ore-processing stamp mill; and several dams on the creek.

The Trabuco Canyon National Forest was established in 1907, which was quickly combined into the Cleveland National Forest in 1908.

One of the last California grizzly bears was killed in Trabuco Canyon in 1908, a female bear thought to be the mate of the so-called "Monster of San Mateo."

On October 21, 2007, a large wildfire started in Silverado Canyon and spread to Trabuco Canyon. The Canyon was evacuated by the Fire Department.

On August 6, 2018, the Holy Fire started near Santiago Peak. It led to the canyon being evacuated, with 24 structures being burned down, mainly in Holy Jim. The fire spread to around 23,000 acres at its peak.

On August 23, 2023, it was the site of a mass shooting that resulted in four dead, including the perpetrator, and six injured.

On September 9, 2024, a spark from heavy equipment working near Trabuco Creek Road caused a wildfire within Trabuco Canyon, dubbed the Airport Fire. The fire spread to Santiago Peak. The Canyon and nearby residencies were evacuated by the local Fire Department.

Features

Fourth of July features an old-fashioned parade of locals riding horses and pulling home-made floats. A local landmark is the Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse, which was a favorite restaurant of former President Richard Nixon.

The Vedanta Society of Southern California has the Ramakrishna Mission monastery on 40 acre in the canyon, founded in 1942 by author and philosopher Gerald Heard. The Trabuco Canyon Community Church is located in the canyon also.

Demographics

2020

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau first listed Trabuco Canyon as a census-designated place (CDP) in the 2020 census.

2020 census

Notable people

• Matt Chapman, MLB player, San Francisco Giants

References

Updated news article as of 8-25-2023. Cook's Corner: 3 killed, 6 hospitalized in shooting at historic biker bar in Trabuco Canyon https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/cooks-corner-at-least-3-killed-6-hospitalized-in-shooting-at-historic-biker-bar-in-trabuco-canyon/

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files - California". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. {{cite GNIS. 2812660
3. Moodian, Michael A.. (2010). "Rancho Santa Margarita". Arcadia Pub.
4. Brigandi, Phil. (2013). "Orange County chronicles".
5. [http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/hb10000319/?&brand=oac Diseño del Rancho Trabuco]
6. [http://egov.ocgov.com/vgnfiles/ocgov/Clerk-Recorder/Docs/Archives/Spanish_and_Mexican_Ranchos.pdf Spanish and Mexican Ranchos of Orange County] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-07-26)
7. Newland, James D.. (2008). "Cleveland National Forest". Arcadia Pub.
8. Neely, Nick. (2019). "Alta California : from San Diego to San Francisco, a journey on foot to rediscover the Golden State".
9. "OCFA".
10. . (October 25, 2019). ["Holy Fire"](https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2018/8/6/holy-fire). *State of California*.
11. (August 23, 2023). "Cook's Corner: 4 killed, 6 hospitalized in shooting at historic biker bar in Trabuco Canyon - CBS Los Angeles".
12. (2023-08-25). "Cook's Corner: 3 killed, 6 hospitalized in shooting at historic biker bar in Trabuco Canyon - CBS Los Angeles".
13. (September 9, 2024). "Fast-moving Airport fire erupts near homes in Orange County; three people injured". Los Angeles Times.
14. "Trabuco Oaks Steak House - Orange County Restaurant Reviews - FoodieView".
15. [http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/20/248728/restaurant/OC/Rancho-Santa-Margarita/Trabuco-Oaks-Steak-House-Trabuco-Canyon Trabuco Oaks Steak House - Rancho Santa Margarita - Trabuco Canyon. Urbanspoon]
16. "Home {{!}} Vedanta Society of Southern California".
17. [http://www.trabuco-canyon.org Trabuco Canyon Community Church] {{Webarchive. link. (2008-10-31 ,)
18. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". [[US Census Bureau]].
19. "2020 Geography Changes". [[United States Census Bureau]].
20. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Trabuco Canyon CDP, California". United States Census Bureau.
21. "A's Select Third Baseman Matt Chapman in First Round of First-Year Player Draft". [[MLB.com]].