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| The O'Neils pose for a family photo at O'Neil Park. |
You drive the streets of Mission Viejo every day, but do you know what’s behind their names? Much of Southeast Orange County was once part of the large cattle ranch that's still owned by the O'Neill/Avery/Moiso family. Since 1882, the family has been the steward of this land, managing cattle herds, growing all sorts of crops, and creating the communities of Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Las Flores, and Ladera Ranch. According to legend and local lore, as a tribute to family founders of the original land, and as a way of ensuring the ongoing legacy of the land that has been so good to them, the O’Neill/Avery/ Moiso family has named various streets found throughout Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and now Ladera Ranch after key family members.
Avery Parkway
Named after the late Douglas Avery and Alice O’Neill Avery who is the granddaughter of the founding Richard O’Neill, sister of the recently deceased Richard J. O’Neill (Rancho Mission Viejo Chairman of the Board ), and mother of Anthony R. Moiso, Jerome Moiso and Douglas Avery.
Alicia Parkway
Named after Alice O’Neill Avery (see above.)
Marguerite Parkway
Named after Richard O’Neill, Jr. (son of the founding O’Neill), mother of Alice O’Neill Avery and Richard J. O’Neill, and grandmother of Anthony R. Moiso, Jerome Moiso and Douglas Avery.
Antonio Parkway
Named after Anthony R. Moiso, CEO and President of Rancho Mission Viejo, managers of the remaining family ranch lands.
Jeronimo Road
Named after Jerome Moiso.
Olympiad
Was originally named O’Neill yet was changed when the Olympics came to Mission Viejo in 1984.
Oso Parkway (an exit on the I-5 Freeway)
Named after Oso Canyon, the canyon that was filled with water to become Lake Mission Viejo.
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