Old World Village is a German enclave in Huntington Beach, California. It features shops, restaurants, a chapel, and a hotel.[1][2] Many of the proprietors of its businesses live above their establishments. This live-work arrangement is unusual for Orange County.[3][4]

Old World Village
Neighborhood
Old World Village in 2021
Old World Village
Coordinates: 33.7347096°N 117.9969182°W / 33.7347096; -117.9969182
Country	United States
State	California
County	Orange County
City	Huntington Beach
Founded	1978[1]
Founded by	Josef Bischof[1]
Government
• Body	Old World Owners Association[1]
Area [1]
• Total	8 acres (3 ha)
• Land	8 acres (3 ha)
Population [1]
• Total	150 (approx.)
ZIP code	92647
Area code(s)	714
Website	visitoldworld.com

About 40 families live in the village.[5] When it opened in 1978, the proprietors were primarily from Germany and Austria, but the Village has become more ethnically diverse over time.[6]

History

In 1952, Josef Bischof emigrated from Germany to the United States.[1] He was inspired by Ports O' Call Village in San Pedro, to create the shopping center Alpine Village in Torrance in 1965.[1] Wanting to have spaces to both live and work in the same place, he split with his business partners from Alpine Village to found Old World Village in 1978.[1][7]

In the 1980s, the Village had an internal feud, with owners of the live-work establishments accusing Bischof of a "reign of terror".[7] An initial $2.1 million judgment in favor of the merchants was later reduced to $1.25 million (equivalent to $3,090,000 in 2021).[8]

Festivals

The Village holds annual German events, including an Oktoberfest[9] and dachshund races.[10] Over time, events for other ethnic and cultural groups have been held at the Village, including Greek,[11] Irish,[12] Scottish,[13] and South American[14] festivals. The village also hosts weddings[15] and quinceañeras.[16]

Legacy

Old World Village was parodied in the television show Arrested Development as the English enclave "Wee Britain".[17]

References