Jackie Hanson
Jackie Hanson

Built in 1911, the Craftsman bungalow features a cozy front porch where Jackie enjoys visiting with family, friends and neighbors.

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Known for the Pirate-themed extravaganza on display in her front yard every Halloween, Jackie Hanson’s historic Craftsman bungalow on East Maple Ave. showcases an undeniable charm every month of the year.

Built in 1911, the home—affectionately dubbed the Pirate House—has had just two owners in its entire 113-year history.  In fact, when Jackie and her late husband, Lou, bought the property in 1970, the original owner’s sister was still living there.

Located in Old Towne’s Historic District, the three-bedroom, one-bath bungalow includes a garage that, according to Jackie, was a meeting place for a rogue motorcycle group in the 1950s.  The spacious backyard offers a fenced-in lawn and BBQ area perfect for family gatherings.

Jackie and her boyfriend, Bob Soth, a former Olympic long-distance runner.

Three mirrors help expand the living room, which showcases the original fireplace flanked by bookshelves containing family photos.  The hardback chair is 100 years old and came from Wild Bill Hickok’s family in Wisconsin.

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“We originally bought this house for Lou’s parents to live near us when we lived in Orange,” says Jackie.  “We didn’t move in until 2001 after we sold our other home to our youngest daughter, Susan, and her husband, Gabe.  I love this house and its many memories and the fact that I have great neighbors.”

When Lou passed away in 2014, Jackie, now 90, continued to live at East Maple, staying productive professionally and creatively, as well as being active in the community.  She is close to her four adult children, Judy, John, Scott and Susie, three of whom live within 15 minutes of her.  She has 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Never too old to enjoy life to the fullest, Jackie met her current partner, former Olympic track star Bob Soth, age 91, via a dating app for seniors.

On the front porch (from left) are Susan, John, Gabe, Susie, Jackie, Bob, Cheryl, Scott and Remi (Susie’s dog).  Daughter Judy and her husband David (inset).

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“We met in our late 80s,” says Jackie.  “The kids had no idea I did online dating!”

According to Jackie, her 1911 Craftsman bungalow was a mail-order kit home delivered in pre-cut parts by Sears/Roebuck.  The beautiful hardwood floors are original to the home, as are most of the windows.  The original pocket doors divide the living room and the dining room, where a beautiful built-in redwood china cabinet is set flush to the wall.  Beneath a lovely chandelier, the dining table opens up to accommodate 12 people.

“The fireplace in the living room is closed off but we have electric logs,” she says.  “The windows on either side of the fireplace bring a nice cross breeze inside during the summer.”

Jackie’s interiors feature many consignment pieces she obtained with the help of a decorator friend.  More than 100 years old, the curved hardback chair came from someone who was related to Wild Bill Hickok and had it stored under their house in Wisconsin.

A successful business owner, Jackie has a contractor’s license and is also a notary. She stays active in the community volunteering for First United Methodist Church of Orange. 

Jackie and Lou with their children at Capistrano Beach (from left) Scott, Judy, Susie and John.

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Volunteering with the First United Methodist Church of Orange since 1970, Jackie just retired from serving on the board for four years.  She helped to start the preschool there, coming full circle from when she and her husband opened a business selling playground equipment, park benches and outdoor fitness stations for parcourses.

“It was successful for 30 years,” Jackie says.  “We started in our laundry room, got a small office, and then moved to a bigger location with a warehouse and crew.  We still see a lot of the park benches in various towns, and some of the old playground equipment.  When Lou retired, I worked for a construction company and got my contractor’s license.  I’m also a notary. You have to keep your mind going and not rely on your laurels!”

Speaking of minds, the mastermind behind the annual Halloween pirate décor is Jackie’s son Scott, a retired construction superintendent and a Habitat For Humanity volunteer.  Not only does he help with repairs to the centuries-old house, he has crafted the ever-evolving Halloween pirate décor for the last 18 years and counting.

The last family photo taken in 2011 before Jackie’s late-husband, Lou, passed away in 2014.  Pictured are all of Jackie’s adult children and spouses, plus her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On Halloween, Jackie’s front yard is transformed into a pirate-themed extravaganza built and designed by Scott. 

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“This is such a great neighborhood for trick-or-treating, so when my kids were younger, we did our first displays,” says Scott.  “Through the years, my imagination just started taking over.  We added cannons that light up and a car across the street that lights up simultaneously.  I built the pirate ship and got creative with the ‘mayor’s house’ that includes a dunk tank that dunks him when the wife opens and closes the shutters.  The decorations have a dozen motors, half-a-dozen stereos, two laptops, cannons on sleds, and smoke coming out from windows.  I’ve gotten help from the more than a dozen retired or active Disney imagineers who I’ve met along the way.  They are such a fun group of people.  It’s just a fun Halloween gathering time with friends and family.”

Meanwhile, Scott’s partner Cheryl, is HR director for Kaiser Hospital.  Jackie’s other son, John, is a licensed contractor and owner of a construction company.  He and his wife, Susan, raise three bee hives and several chickens that keep them busy with delicious honey and fresh eggs.  Jackie’s daughter Susan is a Chapman graduate who currently works as a resource teacher at Palmyra GATE Magnet, while her husband, Gabe, is a CHP officer.  Her other daughter Judy lives in Joshua Tree with her husband David (retired from Boeing  Aircraft) where they are renovating their new home.

Scott and Jackie grill burgers on the backyard barbecue.  A collection of bird houses are displayed on the fence behind them.

The family relaxes in the backyard after a barbecue.  Pictured here are (from left) Susie, Bob, Cheryl, Scott, Jackie, Susan, John and Gabe.

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These days whenever the family gets together, everyone enjoys hearing Bob’s stories of his days as a long-distance runner at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and other elite events.  Not only did he break the American record for the six-mile run, he won the Bronze Medal in the 10K at the 1959 Pan American Games and finished fourth in the 5,000 Meters in 1956 and 1960.

“We like to travel and go on short cruises together,” says Jackie.  “We go to the Elks Club in Santa Ana, and also go to concerts.  We recently attended the Hot Air Balloon Festival in New Mexico and it was an outstanding trip.”

Jackie’s favorite pastime is having all the family together for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, or just sitting on the front porch admiring the scenery and chatting with neighbors who walk by.

“We refer to Old Towne as our little piece of Mayberry because the people here are so great and friendly,” says Jackie.  “My family being so close is a true joy, and I am so proud of all of them.” 

Article Published in the
Jan / Feb 25 edition of the Old Towne Orange Plaza Review
Written by Karen Anderson Photo by Kristin Smetona
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