App Launch for the Women of El Toro

On June 17 the Women of El Toro, a new app supported by a grant from California Humanities, launched. The app was produced through a collaboration between Cal State Fullerton (CSUF), the Center for Oral Public History at CSUF, and the Orange County Great Park. With this free iOS app, users are able to walk the Orange County Great Park while listening to the stories of women Marines and Marine wives who lived and served at El Toro during World War II. 

Not only will visitors be able to hear the stories of military veterans and wives, but they will also be encouraged to add their own stories through social media. The app includes an interactive map so visitors will be able to participate in park activities while listening to these empowering stories. Each story relates to the activity --  for instance, the hot air balloon ride is accompanied by stories about flight, while the farmers’ market segment of the tour includes stories about life on a farm and the farmland in Orange County during the World War II era.

This project tells the history of Southern California through the under-represented voice of military women. Available right on your smartphone, users have the chance to visit the park and listen to the history at their own leisure. With feedback encouraged on social media, the history and stories of this park can continue to grow.