The History of the Kraemer Land Company

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  1865

  The Beginning

  Born in Bavaria, Germany, Daniel Kraemer emigrated to the United States in 1838. In 1865, Daniel traveled to Southern California to purchase land in Anaheim, California – a bustling and growing German enclave in the young state. With increasing demand and expensive land prices, Daniel traveled East and acquired a 3,900-acre land plot from Juan Pacifico Ontiveros Rancho San Juan Cajon de Santa Ana in the area presently known as Placentia and Fullerton, California. Daniel and his wife, Magdalena, had nine (9) children and became one of the first English-speaking settlers in the region.

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  1886

  The Marriage

  In 1886, Samuel Kraemer (son of Daniel Kraemer) rose to prominence through his marriage to Angelina Yorba – the last of the ‘Grand Yorbas’ descending from Don Jose Antonio Yorba. Through this marriage, parts of the ‘old’ Yorba lands (present day Yorba Linda) and the Kraemer land holdings were combined to create one of the largest ranches in Southern California.

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  1908

  Future Board of Directors

  Samuel and Angelina Kraemer’s family grew to include eight (8) children. Today, Kraemer Land Company’s Board of Directors are descendants from six of Samuel and Angelina’s children shown in this picture.

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  1919

  Discovery of Oil

  Union Oil Company discovered oil on Samuel Kraemer’s land in 1919. As a result, Samuel Kraemer emerged as one of the most prominent and influential businessmen in Southern California. His land holdings and new oil lease operations provided the foundation for Kraemer Land Company and future land development in and around Orange County, California.

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  1924

  Samuel Kraemer Building

  The Samuel Kraemer Building was the first high-rise building in Orange County, California. Recognized as an excellent example of ‘Renaissance Revival Architecture’, the building is one of few remaining structures in Anaheim that features extensive use of Terra Cotta glazed tile. The Samuel Kraemer Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and marks one the earliest commercial office buildings affiliated with Kraemer Land Company (building is presently under new ownership).

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  1972

  Shapell / Kraemer Joint Venture

  Nathan Shapell, Chairman of Shapell Industries, and Kraemer Land Company form a Joint Venture to develop the 860-acre master planned community of Eastlake Village - Yorba Linda, California. The successful partnership spanned over 40 years while developing the last portions of the Upper ‘K’ Ranch from the original Kraemer land holdings.

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  1979

  Company Formation

  Initially, two separate companies with overlapping boards were formed. In 1979, the two companies were merged. Kraemer Land Company (originally Founders K Corp. and then FKC Partners) began overseeing the entitlement and development of the family properties. Kraemer Land Company has benefited and grown from the sale of property for residential development and takes pride in the great communities of Placentia and Yorba Linda that have been built on family land. The family is bound together by the philosophy of family unity, and the belief that through adaptation its real estate holdings are capable of succeeding in all real estate cycles.

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  Present Day

  Kraemer Land Company

  Kraemer Land Company continues its 150-year tradition of building quality projects while preserving the spirit of the original ranch lands and early California history. With offices presently in Nevada and California, Kraemer Land Company has expanded affiliated offices in Arizona and Newport Beach, California.