OC Weekly archive

Donated by journalist Gustavo Arellano, the OC Weekly archive documents three decades of alternative journalism in Orange County, California, spanning the publication's entire run from its debut on September 16, 1995, through its cessation in 2019. Launched as a spin-off from LA Weekly, the publication brought progressive politics to Orange County and found success in a market previously dominated by conservative voices. The collection provides comprehensive documentation of the OC Weekly's evolution from a modest 58-page first issue into a vital community voice averaging 120 pages by 2005.

Materials chronicle the paper's remarkable impact on Orange County journalism and politics under various editorial leadership, particularly during Gustavo Arellano's tenure as food editor (starting in 2002), staff writer, and editor (2011-2017). The collection notably documents the origins and development of Arellano's groundbreaking "¡Ask a Mexican!" column, launched in November 2004.

The collection comprises 43 boxes and is arranged in five series: Print Issues, Records, Media, Memorabilia, and Oral Histories. Print issues span volumes 1-25 (1995-2019), with complete runs organized chronologically by volume and year, as well as scattered issues from across the publication's history. Office records provide documentation of the publication's operations. Media materials include CDs covering volumes 2-9 and miscellaneous digital content. Memorabilia includes promotional items, a print on wood from Woodsnap.com, an OC Weeklings drawing in the style of a Saturday morning cartoon, matchbooks, lanyards, a mannequin with dress, hat and cape, and metal and wire newsstands. The collection also includes oral histories documenting the experiences of staff and contributors, and issues of The District Weekly publication (volumes 1-2, 2007-2008), a related publication.

Materials are primarily in English, with some content in Spanish, particularly in materials related to the "¡Ask a Mexican!" column. The archive serves as an resource for researchers studying alternative media, Orange County history, the evolution of local journalism in the digital age, Latino journalism and representation in media, and the role of progressive voices in conservative political environments