Yorba Linda History


Historic Documents

Search for specific termsBrowse alphabetical list of titlesBrowse by subject category

close this bookRichard Nixon Collection
View the documentRichard Nixon is Winning Orator
Yorba Linda Star March 29 1929 page 1
View the documentCongressman Tells Y. L. Audience How Communist Spy Ring Works
Yorba Linda Star October 8 1948 page 1
View the documentYorba Linda Does Her Little Part in Electing Favorite Son
Yorba Linda Star November 10 1950 page 1
View the documentYorba Linda Signally Honored by Visit of Favorite Son
Yorba Linda Star October 31 1952 page 1
View the documentResponsibility of Government Passes into Republican Hands as Voters Approve Ike and Dick
Yorba Linda Star November 10 1952 page 1
View the documentVice-President's Visit to Yorba Linda Enjoyed by Large Crowd
Yorba Linda Star November 4 1954 page 1
View the documentMany Yorba Lindans, Many Guests Pay Tribute to the Vice President
Yorba Linda Star January 15 1959 page 1
View the documentBig day for Yorba Lindans when the vice-president visits
Yorba Linda Star June 18 1959 page 1
View the documentYorba Linda leads nation with first “Nixon for President” Club
Yorba Linda Star September 3 1959 page 1
View the documentHome town gives Nixon big vote
Yorba Linda Star November 10 1960 page 1
View the documentBrown elected; Rafferty wins
Yorba Linda Star November 14 1962 page 1
View the documentCity Jubilant over Nixon victory
1968 page 1
View the documentForm committee to preserve Nixon birthplace
Yorba Linda Star November 20 1968
View the documentNorth Hollywood man pays $250 for president-elect Nixon's hat
Yorba Linda Star November 20 1968 page 1
View the documentNixon Birthplace Foundation organized here
Yorba Linda Star December 4 1968 page 1
View the documentDedication on President's birthday
Yorba Linda Star January 12 1972 page 1
View the documentNixon wins big in birthplace city
Yorba Linda Star November 15 1972 page 1
View the documentNixon Impeachment Rally Staged At Local Park
by Julia Carey,
Yorba Linda Star November 7 1973 page 1
View the documentResidents saddened by Nixon resignation
by Julia Carey,
Yorba Linda Star August 14 1974 page 1
View the document10-year effort ends with sale of Nixon home
by Margaret Anderson,
Yorba Linda Star July 15 1978 page 1
View the documentArchives Find Yorba Linda Home
by Janette Neumann,
Yorba Linda Star December 10 1987 page 1
View the documentNixon library site deemed historic by commission
Yorba Linda Star June 9 1988 page 3
View the documentLibrary groundbreaking date set
by Janette Neumann,
Yorba Linda Star July 21 1988 page 1
View the documentNixon Library to break ground
by Janette Neumann,
Yorba Linda Star December 1 1988 page 1
View the documentGround broken for Nixon library
by Janette Neumann,
Yorba Linda Star December 8 1988 page 1
View the documentFanfare greets Nixon Library
by Bruce Bailey,
Yorba Linda Star July 26 1990 page 1
View the document5,000 pay their respects to former first lady
Yorba Linda Star July 1 1993
View the documentTime for tears, celebration
by Bruce Bailey,
Yorba Linda Star July 1 1993 page 1
View the documentMan of vision, man of history
by David Montero,
Yorba Linda Star April 28 1994 page 3
View the documentResidents cherish Nixon's ties to city
by Bruce Bailey,
Yorba Linda Star April 28 1994 page 1

Fanfare greets Nixon Library

by Bruce Bailey,
Yorba Linda Star July 26 1990 page 1   Open this page in a new window

The dedication of the Richard M. Nixon Library and Birthplace was best summed up by Yorba Linda Mayor Gene Wisner when he said, “This is a day Yorba Linda will never forget.”

His mood was magnified by the estimated 50,000 cheering Nixonphiles who jammed the bleachers inside and massed along the site outside.

Despite the near-90 degree day, nobody complained about the long lines, the longer lines for soft drinks, or the longer, long lines for restrooms.

“It's total excitement,” said one Yorba Lindan—Kris Bittick, who, with her mother, Barbara, and their friends Barbara and Rick Buschine, arrived early and scrambled to a top bleacher seat.

The 2,000 VIPs had it a little better. Each of their seats came wit a program, and they all used them—as a fan.

Though not a VIP, 11-year-old Nancy Carmack of Yorba Linda, sat like one atop a barrel in the parking lot. Dressed in red, white and blue and waving a U.S. flag, she said the event was neat because she would be able to see other presidents besides Reagan, whom she had seen before.

Finally, shortly after 10 a.m., Hollywood's unofficial mayor, Johnny Grant, announced what everyone waited almost two years to hear, “The dedication ceremony will now begin.”

Pent-up cheers rose from the stands. The press, and those unable to find a seat, surged forward. Secret service personnel, wearing suits, dark glasses and stolid looks, seemed ubiquitous.

The four presidents and their wives then entered, waved and took their seats.

Former President Gerald Ford, in his comments, told the Nixons that “This is a celebration you richly deserve. It proved you can come home again.”

“Richard Nixon is a patriot who understands the world,” said former President Ronald Reagan.

President George Bush, at times talking over a band of demonstrators in the street outside, told the crowd more people voted for Nixon than for any other man in history.

“Nixon was middle America's president representing their values and dreams,” Bush said.

Then, before a sea of victory signs and cries of “welcome back,” former president Richard Nixon took the podium. Clearly moved, he cleared his throat a few times before saying that in all his travels, “Nothing matches this moment to be welcomed home again so warmly.”

Nixon summed up his political career by saying, “It's a long way from Yorba Linda to the White House.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

The 37th president of the United States waves to admirers who warmly welcomed him during ceremonies to dedicate the Richard M. Nixon Library and Birthplace. Yorba Linda resident Cherl Krystack (right) was one of the 50,000 spectators who witnessed the dedication. Yorba Linda Mayor Gene Wisner said “This is a day Yorba Linda will never forget.”

to previous section to next section

Top of page