Phil Brigandi

Phil Brigandi has been researching and writing local history since 1975. A native of Orange, he has written several books on the history of his hometown, and is considered to be the community historian. His interest in local history developed early, and while a student at Orange High School, he became the local historical society’s archivist and president. While attending California State University at Fullerton he conducted numerous valuable oral history interviews for the school. In 1990, Mr. Brigandi became the historian and museum curator for the Ramona Pageant in Hemet California. On March 31, 2003, Phil Brigandi took the position of Orange County Archivist, the first full-time since 1995. He will be an asset to all researchers focusing on the history of Orange County, and hopes to gather any historical items or artifacts that will add breadth to the County’s historical inventory. His published works include:

Orange: the city 'round the plaza /by Phil Brigandi.  1st ed. Encinitas, Calif.: Heritage Media Corp., 1997

"Out among the groves of Orange": a history of Orange Union High School, 1903-1953 /by Phil Brigandi. Orange, Calif.: Orange High All-Class Reunion Committee, 2003.

A place called home: Orange's architectural legacy / by Phil Brigandi & Karen Wilson Turnbull. Santa Ana, Calif.: Printed by McGinnis Printing, c1990.

First church: a 125th anniversary history of the First United Methodist Church of Orange / by Phil Brigandi. Orange, Calif.: First United Methodist Church of Orange, 1998.

The Plaza : a local drama in 5 acts / edited and annotated by Phil Brigandi ; [with a prologue by Don Meadows]. 
1st ed. Orange, Calif.: Wrangler Press, 1982.

Old Orange County Courthouse: a centennial history / by Phil Brigandi.  1st ed. San Antonio, Tex.: Historical Pub. Network, c2001.

The first 100 years of West Orange Elementary / by Phil Brigandi.  Orange, Calif.: Wrangler Press, 1990.

A new creation: the incorporation of the City of Orange, 1888/ by Phil Brigandi.  1st ed. Orange, Calif.: City of Orange Centennial Commission, c1988.

Watson's Drug Store : a downtown Orange tradition : a centennial history, 1899-1999 / by Phil Brigandi.  1st ed. [Orange, Calif.? s.n.], c1999.

100 years of headline news / presented by the Orange County Register; [annotations] researched and written by Phil Brigandi; edited by David Whiting.  Santa Ana, Calif.: Orange County Register, c2000.