In 1860, the land was sold for $7,000 to a trader named William Wolfskill, and changed hands for the same price again in 1860, this time to sheepmen from Monterey County.

In 1876, the grove and the surrounding rancho came into the possession of James Irvine who wanted to the area to become a park, and gifted the 160-acre (65 ha) plot of land to the County of Orange on October 5, 1897, for $1.

Improvements to the park followed over the next 20 years, including a caretaker's house, outdoor stoves, outhouses, a roofed concessions stand, and a boat pond.

As a result, Irvine Park was closed to the public, and during this time was utilized by the Santa Ana Army Air Base for training troops in field and command post exercises.

Mock battles were held with Camp Commander, and Army training and rehabilitation center at nearby Peters Canyon.