Tracing its history back to two Northern California colleges from the mid-1800s – Hesperian College and Pierce Christian College – Chapman University moved into its Orange campus in 1954, replacing Orange High School before erecting a series of modern-looking dorms, libraries, sports facilities, business and law schools. Named for leading benefactor Charles Chapman, orange grower, first mayor of Fullerton, and former Bank of America chairman, the university today hosts the Hilbert Museum of California Art, a smaller Guggenheim Gallery, and the Escalette Permanent Collection of Art, part of which is on display in the campus’s business school, funded by Bush Administation ambassador George Argyros. Outdoor sculptures include busts of historical figures and not exclusively (but frequently) conservative thinkers.
Like Aliso Viejo’s Soka University, Chapman’s campus is beautiful and interesting enough to visit even if you’re not studying or teaching there. It’s also only streets away from Old Towne Orange, home to numerous restaurants, antique stores, and outdoor vintage auto shows. On-campus parking is restricted to permit holders, with two- to 12-hour temporary parking available to visitors at reasonably low prices.
