New mural depicting Indigenous Orange County tribes is a celebration of America’s history

A Mission Viejo elementary school is getting a head start on America’s 250th birthday.

Viejo Elementary School unveiled a new mural ahead of its winter break depicting Indigenous groups in the south Orange County area.

Created by artist Maryann Herrera, the three-paneled display dives into the history of the Spanish missions and the presence of numerous Indigenous tribes in the area, including the Juaneños who inhabited Mission Viejo.

Each panel represents a distinct era in Orange County’s history. The first showcases the Juaneños tribe and a depiction of the tribe’s huts. The second panel showcases the 19th century, characterized by sprawling cattle ranches worked by Vaqueros, Spanish ranchers and the mascot of Viejo Elementary.

“This period was marked by the importation of steers from Spain, contributing to the region’s cultural tapestry,” said Herrera.

Moving into the 20th century, the third panel illustrates the transformation of the land as agriculture, including orange groves.

The mural includes the dates 1776 and 2026, the latter a nod to the country’s upcoming 250th birthday.

“Many children asked why the dates say 1776 to 2026. We are teaching them about the country, and that we have a huge birthday celebration in two and a half years,” said Penny Sander, the chapter regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution Mission Viejo.

The DAR chapter gifted Viejo Elementary with the mural on Friday, Dec. 8. DAR chapters around California, in celebration of the upcoming milestone for the country, are placing various art pieces and plaques throughout the state.

The mural at Viejo Elementary, said Herrera, “stimulates the children to think about where they are today and the differences from the past. The year 2026 then asks the question where will you be in two and a half years when our nation turns 250 years old.”