Old World Village is a German enclave in Huntington Beach, California. It features shops, restaurants, a chapel, and a hotel.[1][2] Many of the proprietors of its businesses live above their establishments. This live-work arrangement is unusual for Orange County.[3][4]
Old World Village | |
|---|---|
Neighborhood | |
 Old World Village in 2021 | |
  Old World Village | |
| Coordinates: 33°44′05″N 117°59′49″W / 33.7347096°N 117.9969182°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Orange County |
| City | Huntington Beach |
| Founded | 1978[1] |
| Founded by | Josef Bischof[1] |
| Government | |
| • Body | Old World Owners Association[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 8 acres (3 ha) |
| • Land | 8 acres (3 ha) |
| Population | |
• Total | 150 (approx.) |
| ZIP code | 92647 |
| Area code | 714 |
| Website | visitoldworld |
About 40 families live in the village.[5] When it opened in 1978, the proprietors were primarily from Germany and Austria, but the Village has become more ethnically diverse over time.[6]
History
editIn 1952, Josef Bischof emigrated from Germany to the United States.[1] He was inspired by Ports O' Call Village in San Pedro, to create the shopping center Alpine Village in Torrance in 1965.[1] Wanting to have spaces to both live and work in the same place, he split with his business partners from Alpine Village to found Old World Village in 1978.[1][7]
In the 1980s, the Village had an internal feud, with owners of the live-work establishments accusing Bischof of a "reign of terror".[7] An initial $2.1 million judgment in favor of the merchants was later reduced to $1.25 million (equivalent to $3,474,000 in 2023).[8]
Festivals
editThe Village holds annual German events, including an Oktoberfest[9] and dachshund races.[10] Over time, events for other ethnic and cultural groups have been held at the Village, including Greek,[11] Irish,[12] Scottish,[13] and South American[14] festivals. The village also hosts weddings[15] and quinceañeras.[16]
Legacy
editOld World Village was parodied in the television show Arrested Development as the English enclave "Wee Britain".[17] It also served as Switzerland in the Hulu series Welcome to Chippendales.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Burris, Annie (March 18, 2008). "What's to become of Huntington's Old World Village?". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on March 22, 2008.
- ^ Lee, Gregory (1993). The Best of Orange County California. Jasi. ISBN 978-1-881409-05-2.
- ^ Young, Karen (June 10, 1988). "Old World Village Captures Bavarian Flavor". Los Angeles Times. p. OC_E5.
- ^ O'Dell, John (February 23, 1991). "Piggyback Apartments Work Elsewhere in County". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif. p. 5.
- ^ "Old World Village". Los Angeles Times. September 16, 1989. p. OC_G2.
- ^ Westcott, John (September 22, 1988). "Old World village brings a taste of Europe to OC". Orange County Register. Santa Ana, Calif. p. b02.
- ^ a b Lucas, Greg (April 29, 1986). "Old World Village Suit to Go to Jury: Business Owners Accuse Developer of 'Reign of Terror'". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Spano, John (June 18, 1986). "Shopping Center Award Excessive, Judge Rules". Los Angeles Times. p. OC_A2.
- ^ Kinsler, Robert (September 29, 1995). "Old World's Oktoberfest a Deutsch treat". Orange County Register. Santa Ana, Calif. p. 63.
- ^ "Corrections". The Orange County Register. Santa Ana, Calif. October 28, 1994. p. A02.
- ^ "Old World Village". Los Angeles Times. June 8, 1990. p. OCF22.
- ^ Perry, Susan (March 17, 1988). "Ways to Go for the Green: Irish-Heritage Celebrations Take a Festive Turn". Los Angeles Times. p. G12.
- ^ "Old World Village Scottish Festival (advertisement)". Los Angeles Times. February 14, 1988. p. OC_A6.
- ^ Pasles, Chris (July 20, 1988). "Harpist Taps a Multi-Ethnic Background to Make His Music". Los Angeles Times. p. EOC13.
- ^ "Old World Village Serves as Wedding Center". Los Angeles Times. February 14, 1992. p. OCE12.
- ^ "Heels over head". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif. March 29, 2000. p. 5.
- ^ Coker, Matt (May 23, 2013). "Arrested Development's Orange County". OC Weekly.