Relocating and Preserving FV's Oldest Building

Courreges Ranch 1910

Courreges Range (circa 1910)

HISTORY ON THE MOVE!
1898 Courreges Tank House to be moved to Heritage Park on Saturday, Aug. 27 Starting at 10:00 a.m.
Ceremony at FV City Hall at 10:30 a.m.

The Fountain Valley Historical Society invites the entire community out to view the historic crosstown move of FV's oldest building, the 1898 Courreges Tank House.   The 118-year old water tower, which has been a centerpiece of the Courreges Ranch at Talbert Avenue and Newland Street, will take its journey to a new home at Heritage Park, next to the library.

Hazel Courreges, who passed away in 2011, was on the first board of directors for the Fountain Valley Historical Society.  It was Hazel's wish to see the Courreges water tank tower, known as the "Tank House," eventually moved to Heritage Park, where it could be preserved by the Historical Society and available for the community to enjoy for generations to come.

The Tank House will then be reconstructed and ready for its Ribbon Cutting in a few weeks.

Ron Courreges, Hazel and Joe Courreges' son, along with the Historical Society board, have spearheaded the fundraising, construction coordination and permits process.   

Fundraising efforts kicked off in January.  
  • Hyundai Motor America is donating $25,000 toward the costs of the move and reconstruction
  • Rainbow Environmental has already donated $10,000.
  • The Historical Society has donated $20,000.
  • The Woman's Club has donated more than $1,300; and about 20 individuals have each donated $1,000 or more. A number of individuals have donated anywhere from $25 to $900.    
  • Donors giving $1,000 or more are invited to accompany the Tank House on its route through town on Aug. 27 and will have their names inscribed on the permanent donor plaque next to the Tank House at Heritage Park.
Two great spots to view the Tank House parade:
  1. In front of the Senior Center at Bushard and Talbert. PCTA will be there with a TV camera.  Bring your beach chairs and your flags and cheer on history as it moves down the street!  (Stay on the sidewalk in front of the senior center)
  2. In front of the Police Station on Slater Avenue. Again, bring your flags and your cheering voices!  
If you join us at the Police Station / City Hall, please park across the street at the school district.    You'll get a special treat by joining us at this location.  PCTA will have TV cameras here, and you'll also get to be part of the end of the parade as we all walk together from City Hall back to Heritage Park to greet the Tank House for the "Arrival Ceremony!"   We'll have a couple key speeches there and your chance to see the Tank House up close.

AFTERWARD:  Join us a  the FV Sports Park right after that for the celebration, hosted by Hyundai. 
(Heritage Park will be hogged up with moving trucks and 118-year-old building parts, so no room there for a party yet.)   
So we're moving the party over to the FV Sports Park, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Food trucks, music, vendors, face painting, family fun!  All free!

Information about the Tank House move:  (714) 847-7714 or www.facebook.com/FountainValleyHistoricalSociety
Information about the Hyundai Fun Day in the Park:  www.facebook.com/events/1076966279019791/