The history of Orange County teaches us an important lesson. Things change.

Irvine was once a sheep farm.

Anaheim was once the wine capital of California.

Newport Beach was a shipping mecca.

Beachfront property was disdained – until trains came. Property with oil bubbling up was disdained – until cars came.

Click the photo to start the slide show of Orange County History, Part 1.

In Fullerton, they raced ostriches. In Los Alamitos, they made sugar. Where John Wayne Airport sits, they hunted ducks. Before we grew oranges, Orange County was known for celery. Walnuts. And apricots.

And get this – our beloved Valencia orange groves all started with a barrel of rotten fruit from Tahiti.

These pictures come from the Orange County Historical Photo Archive of First American, in Santa Ana, which has more than 12,500 photographs, dating back to the late 1800s.

Take a look. You might be surprised by what Orange County once was. And what it became.

Contact the writer: tberg@ocregister.com