Phil Brigandi

Phil Brigandi

For over a quarter of a century now, Phil Brigandi has been researching and writing the colorful history of Orange County. A native of Orange, California, he began his career as a local historian while still in high school, an by age eighteen had written his first book. He has written several books on his hometown, including A New Creation (1988), A Place Called Home (1990), and Orange, The City 'Round the Plaza (1997), the first full-length history of the community.

Beginning in 1978, he served twelve years on the board of directors of the Orange Community Historical Society, including ten years as archivist and one term as president. He also served on the Orange County Historical Commission from 1984-89, while the restoration of the Old Courthouse was underway.

His historical research has carried him beyond Orange County into Riverside and San Diego Counties, and other parts of California. He recently published a history of Temecula, California, and a book on the desert community of Borrego Springs is soon to follow. Since 1980 he has been associated with the historic Ramona Pageant, in Hemet, California--America's oldest outdoor drama. In 1990 he joined the staff as pageant historian and museum curator. He also recently accepted the role of curator of the San Jacinto Museum. Though he lives in Hemet, his heart still belongs to Orange County.