Old-Time San Juan Had Clout Also
The story “Five Players Give San Juan a Quiet Clout” (Jan. 4) contains a historical clinker by saying that Capistrano “ . . . still has never had an elected legislative representative higher than a City Council member, not even a county supervisor.”
Wrong.
In 1879 Richard Egan of San Juan Capistrano was elected supervisor of Los Angeles County and served from 1880-84. His district covered the bulk of the “Santa Ana Valley,” the maiden name of Orange County before its deliverance from Los Angeles.
Egan’s perennial election as San Juan’s judge, clerk of the school board, surveyor, notary, telegrapher and the county’s Democratic kingpin marked him as a man of considerable clout for more than 50 years.
Moreover, Egan was instrumental in bringing the Santa Fe to Capo in ’88 and served as one of the state commissioners who established Orange County’s boundaries in ’89.
Needless to say, his presence is still recalled by San Juan’s most conspicuous red brick residence, opposite the El Adobe restaurant.
JIM SLEEPER
Tustin
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