I am the Wagner House. I was born in 1920. My creators were Charles and Maude Wagner. I have been told that I bear a striking resemblance to the designs which Maude drew up. My good looks are attributed to the fine materials that were used to build me as well as Charles' quality craftsmanship. Wood was shipped from Oregon for my construction and 21 kegs of nails were used. Charles used three nails where ordinarily one would have been used. I remember hearing Charles say that he wanted me to look exactly the same 200 years after my completion.

My style is Colonial Revival and I am one of Placentia's finest and earliest ranch homes. My interior contains hardwood floors as well as oak book shelves and fireplaces that were built by a Carpenter from Germany. My facade boasts wooden columns topped with Tuscan capitals. I also have a porche cochere which was used to shield arriving guests from the rain.

When I was first built, two rooms upstairs were joined to sleeping porches which allowed Charles and Maude to sleep in the open air on hot California nights. I also had a sewing room, there was a small button on the floor which Maude could tap with her foot to summon the butler or the maid whose quarters were located just off the kitchen.

Later in my life, Charles added a sit-down elevator for Maude when she became ill. The elevator is gone now. It was removed, like an appendix in a routine operation, and I never saw it again.

I am 83 years old now and a lot has happened within my walls. Some of the events I was able to experience first hand. Others I know about through the countless stories that were told among my family in front of my fireplace or in the coziness of my kitchen.

As a youth, Charles Jr.'s father immigrated from Germany to Grand Rapids, Michigan. He came to California by ox cart in hopes of hitting a gold strike, which he did. Charles Jr.'s mother, Josephine Andrada was a native of Elizabeth Lake, CA, where she met Charles Sr. Charles, Jr. was born in Elizabeth Lake on November 22, 1873. His family moved to Placentia shortly thereafter. Charles Sr. and Josephine had five children: Charles Jr., Lucy, Josephine, and twin boys John and Joseph.

Charles Sr. raised sheep and with his profits purchased 150 acres of land in Placentia for $1.50 per acre. Charles Sr. also tried his hands at agriculture and began with grapes. Unfortunately, these were hit by the Anaheim grape disease and his crop, along with those of the vicinity, was destroyed. Charles Sr. then planted walnuts and citrus trees which proved to be very successful.

Charles Sr. met an untimely death while returning from Anaheim Landing (which is now Seal Beach) with a load of bricks. According to the Anaheim Gazette of 1880, Charles Wagner Sr. apparently fell asleep and was knocked off the high seat of his wagon.

Charles Jr. was 8 years old and his twin brothers were 2 months old at the time of their father's death. Charles Jr.'s mother continued farming and raising live stock. She later married John Wagner, her brother-in-law. The Wagner family continued to thrive and, in 1883, their oranges were "budded" over to Valencia Oranges. This made theirs the 3rd Valencia Orange orchard in Orange County. It is hard to imagine that over 100 acres of orange trees used to surround me! The Wagner children were also able to thrive and obtained not only a common school education but experience in the citrus industry. This would later enable Charles Jr., John, and Joseph to excel in this field.

Upon Josephine Wagner's death in 1901, each child received 27 acres of land. Charles Jr. and his wide Maude Taylor, whom he had married on September 19, 1899, settled into a brick house amidst their citrus orchard. Charles Jr. was very active in the citrus industry. He helped organize the Placentia Mutual Orange Associated and the Placentia Orange Growers Exchange. He also serviced on the board of the PMOA for 41 years.

In the early 1900's Maude Wagner, decided that she wanted a larger home to entertain members of the P.E.O. Round Table and members of the Presbyterian Church. Maude designed the house and Charles Jr. built it. This is when I came to be. I served Charles and Maude well. Not only was I able to host several of Maude's church events and meetings, but I also pulled off some spectacular holiday parties.

Charles and Maude's only son, Merwin, was raised with me. When he married, I was sad to see him go. Charles and Maude lived with me until Maude died in 1962. Charles stayed with me as long as he could; but in 1966, he retired to a convalescent home where he passed away a year later. I was comforted by the fact that Merwin and his wife came to live with me. They stayed until 1977 when I was sold to two couples who wanted to turn me into a fine restaurant. I think the neighbors knew that this was not what I wanted to be, so they fought to keep me residential. After about a year of struggle my new owners finally won their battle, but by that time, they had lost their financial backing.

I was sold again. This time to the Calvary Chapel Vineyard Ministries. They used me as their offices and library, and although they were trying to relate to the "rock generation" which I am not a part of, we got along well.

I started to worry when the Calvary Chapel Vineyard Ministries were speaking in my living room of their intention to sell me again. I had just gotten used to their routine when I was purchased by Collage, Inc. in 1989. They wanted to use me as a tea house and boutique. I underwent several changes some of them good, some of them not so good, but I liked having people fill the house enjoying tea, scones, and clotted cream. I also liked the array of items which were displayed in the boutique. Collage, Inc. stayed with me until 1990.

After they left, I sat alone feeling isolated and abandoned. I felt little consolation when the real estate agent came to spruce me up for prospective buyers. But I lifted myself up and put on the best show that I could. People came and people went, but no one seemed to want me. I began to wonder if it was something I had done. I longed for the times when Maude and Charles sat quietly in front of my fireplace.

In 1991, I was used for the set of "I Can't Lose", (also titled "Dreamrider") a film starring James Earl Jones. I felt like a part of Hollywood, a star. But after only 11 weeks, they left as well.

I began to lose confidence in myself and without anyone to take care of me, the weeds around me started to grow. I had some plumbing problems which seemed to take over. I was afraid. Only one man who had no home, would sneak inside and sleep here until morning when he would sneak out again. He cooked his meals in the fireplace and worried that a fire would burn me down. For three long years I stood alone, unwanted, unloved. I even heard rumors that they were thinking of tearing me down and I was coming to the point where I didn't care if they did. I was at my wits end.

Then in 1993, I was purchased by Gwen and Mark Fandel. They used me as professional offices for their consulting firm. They worked long hours with me filling not only the cracks in my walls but also my spirit. They learned a lot about restoration, repair, plastering, painting, caulking, carpeting, cleaning, and all around care.

In 1997, after additional restorations, I became the Wagner House Wedding Centre, a free resource to people planning their weddings. I enjoy having the displays of wedding professionals in each of my rooms, but most of all, I enjoy the excitement of the brides and grooms visiting me to plan the happiest day of their life. I think that I have found my calling.

Today, I stand proud and although there is always a lot of work to be done, I am confident that I have a future. People will not only notice me, but will want to know about my history and keep me as an important part of their heritage.