SeeCalifornia.com

Photos: The Duke (John Wayne) bronze statue immortalizes this Hollywood legend. You can see it at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. On June 20, 1979, the Orange County Board of Supervisors renamed Orange County Airport to John Wayne Airport and sculptor Robert Summers created this bronze 9-foot statue as a symbol of the American West and traditional American values. The John Wayne statue is located on the Arrival (lower) level in the center of the Riley Terminal. Right photo: Duke Kananamoku statues abound. This particular bronze by Emdund Shumpert can be seen on 300 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA.

California has a long history of “Dukes”. Before The Duke, John Wayne, came upon the scene, the state adopted a love of a sport, surfing, thanks partially to the ambassadorship of Duke Kahanamoku, a Hawaiian surfer. In the world of surfing, most know or have heard of this guy who seems larger than life in the various statues you’ll find of him around surf cities.

But of course, The Duke is better known than Duke Kahanamoku, and John Wayne also seemed larger than life. You can still watch old movies on TV and see him acting in a variety or roles–but he became known for the parts he played in Westerns. When you arrive at Orange County Airport, be sure to head for the front lobby before you leave the place. You’ll enjoy the bronze statue of the this Duke.

Nearly forgotten among the younger crowd is former  California Governor George Deukmejian, who was known as a “Duke”. He served as governor between 1983 and 1991. The “tough on crime” Deuk (pronounced like Duke) didn’t take any guff, much like John Wayne’s cowboy persona in rough & ready western films. Deukmejian was strongly in favor of capital punishment, against marijuana legalization, against gay rights legislation, and in favor of big government. Though he successfully reduced the budget deficit by over $1 billion, he increased the general fund budget of California by nearly 100% and created a deficit of over $1 billion, once again.

Of course California has other Dukes. There’s “Gidget” actress Patty Duke, Duke Ellington who recorded many jazz albums and made musical appearances in California concert halls, and then there’s famed keyboardist, George Duke, who was born in San Rafael (Marin County.)  When you speak about the Duke in California, you’ll get different reactions from people based largely on their  age.