Morgan Hilton was a notable figure in Tustin, California, who served both as a local business owner
and as a pioneering fire chief.

Paint Store Owner: From 1959 to 1964, Morgan Hilton operated Morgan Hilton's Paint Store at
333–339 El Camino Real in Old Town Tustin. The building had previously housed The Tustin News
and later became a photography studio.


Fire Chief: Hilton served as Volunteer Fire Department Chief from 1959 to 1962. On December 1, 1962, he became Tustin's first full-time paid Fire Chief, a position he held until 1975. During his tenure, the department expanded with new apparatus and professionalized its operations before eventually becoming part of the Orange County Fire Authority in 1978

His dual role as a local merchant and fire chief made him an important figure in Tustin's mid-20th century history, reflecting the era when many civic leaders were also local business owners..

In 1927, the City of Tustin was incorporated with a population of 500
According to the 1940 U.S. Census, the population of Tustin, California, was 953
In 1953 the population of Tustin had increased to 1,134 and still had 15 volunteer firefighters. 
In 1962 a new Rescue and Salvage truck replaced the 1949 pickup truck as the “rescue squad”. 
On December 1, 1962, Chief Hilton was appointed full time and was the first paid fire chief of Tustin
In 1965, a 1250 GPM pumper was purchased and Chief Hilton drove it back from the factory in Clintonville, Wisconsin.... Morgan Hilton remained Fire Chief until 1975.