Orange County Almanac

Tustin got its name from a charismatic 19th Century developer.

Columbus Tustin, who struck it rich in the Sierra Nevada gold mines, purchased 1,300 acres of land near what is today downtown Tustin. He dreamed of constructing a grand city that would serve as one of California’s major railroad hubs.

But in the 1880s, Southern Pacific decided to run its railroad line through Santa Ana, not Tustin. And in the 1890s, the railroad selected Santa Ana as the site of a large train depot, “relegating (Tustin) to a peaceful, sleepy village of trees,” according to the book “The Orange County Experience.”

As a result, Columbus Tustin offered free land to residents willing to build homes.

Today

The Golden West College Dance Department will present “Fools for Dance” at its annual spring concert.

The performance features works created by college faculty and student choreographers as well as guest artists.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. in the college’s Community Theater. General admission is $9.

The show will be repeated on April 1.

For information, call (714) 895-8376.