Another Successful Pikin Chixs Affaire
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Tuesday, January 25, 2005
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Tuesday, January 25, 2005
If you want to send me a note, or tell me about your memories of Orange County, e-mail them to: steve@cleardigitalmedia.com
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I'm a blogger and internet marketer, motorcycle rider, and craft beer lover.
38 comments:
Hi Steve,what a wonderful project your site is, I thought I was the only person to miss the landmarks of OC,especially Santa Ana. I was born and raised there in 1953. I was born at Santa Ana Community Hospital, on Washington Street. Back then, your Birth Certificate came with the baby's "footprints",sadly mine didn't survive the Taffolla family mementos,but I still remember looking at all of our 5 sets.
We lived on 2nd/Bristol,across the street from the "Key" hamburger joint,which was next to Johnson Chapel.On 1st street,there was a place just East of Bristol that you could rent time on a trampling,it was every kids dream to jump on them.We did all our family grocery shopping at "Reds Ranch Market on Harbor Blvd,but did our day to day shopping at "Norris Superette" on St .Andrews street once we moved to Evergreen St. close to the Kerr Glass/Cherry Rivet plant near Standard/Warner Ave.What I remember most about the old days is the Helms Bakery Truck,that used to cruise the neighbor hoods in a bright yellow van/truck,what I wouldn't give for one of those Cream Puffs! The way the driver would stop the truck,get out and come around the back to swing open those two back doors,pull out the deep shelves while we waited anxiously to see all the different donuts,chocolate cupcake,and best of all,those light as air cream puffs!
Once again,thank you for providing a place for us old cronies to reminisce of the good ole days,too bad these simple things are a thing of the past!
Gloria Taffolla, Anaheimmom@AOL.com
South Coast Plaza had just opened when my family and I left Costa Mesa for Fresno in summer of 1967 (we were there in C.M from 1963 to summer 1967). At that time, South Coast Plaza was Sears at one end, May Company at the other end, and various smaller specialty shops in the enclosed mall in between. There also was a J.C. Penney's, Woolworth's, Thrifty Drugs, Food Giant, Jolly Roger Restaurant, and various other specialty shops in the Harbor Center, Harbor and Wilson, right behind our home in the College Park District. I was just down that way last week to visit a lifelong friend (who since relocated to San Juan Capistrano), and if she wasn't in the car with me to direct me, I wouldn't have known where I was. The 17th Street area near the apartments in which my family and my friend and her late husband first lived was all but unrecognizable to me, though the apartments on Ogle Street, happily, were just about as I remember them over 40 years ago.
The Harbor Center I remember at Harbor and Wilson in Costa Mesa has been leveled and what was in its place looked like alien space ships ready to take off for the mother ship. They also added a 15-foot block wall to the six-foot block wall that used to separate the back yards of the homes on College Drive (where my family lived; my friend and her husband lived on Fordham, one street over) from the center's parking lot, and they blocked off the entrance to the parking lot from the neighborhood. If we were living there today, we'd basically feel as though we were living under an overpass. I also couldn’t help but notice that NONE of the individually-owned businesses in the Harbor Center, or anywhere else for that matter, have survived, but I can’t say that phenomenon is unique to Costa Mesa.
Something about the College Park neighborhood looked very lackluster and drab to me, and it dawned on me later in the evening on the day I visited my old “stomping grounds,” it is because in the days in which I remembered it, the neighborhood had homes in the bright pastel colors or yesteryear; there were pink houses, yellow houses, turquoise houses, mint green houses, blue/grey houses (ours), and now there is little but white, tan, beige and maybe a muted gold.
Sad to learn that the beautiful Fashion Square in Santa Ana is replaced by an ugly strip mall (can’t even recall the name) and I understand the Buffum’s store in downtown Santa Ana now houses State of California offices.
All I can say to summarize my trip to Orange County is, it brings new meaning to the old adage, “You can’t go home again.” I’d rather close my eyes and remember it the way I knew it.
Sincerely,
George Hewett
This is a wonderful project!
Does anyone remember a restaurant that was located inside South Coast Plaza from the 80's called 20th Century Limited? It was a restaurant inside an actual railroad car. I remember this only vaguely from childhood.
I remember 20th Century Limited. I had lunch there with a friend and her mom when I was about 8 or so. The sugar bowls had multicolored sugar in them and I thought the whole train concept was so sophisticated!
This is a great website!! It brings back so many memories and reminds me of everything that made us what we are today!! Does anyone remember a miniature golf course on Glassell St. in Orange, just off of the 22 fwy, across from Hart Park? It had a Hawaiian or Polynesian theme and sat where the Yen Ching restaurant is today. Does anyone have pictures? How can I find out more about it?
Wow! A quick glance around this site has brought back alot of images. I was born in Anaheim in 1966. My brother and myself lived with our Grandparents at 322 N. Harbor until 75 or so. I can still remember the phone number, JE-10823. We attended Hazard Elementary. My Grandfather, John M. Deck, had a small engine shop next door. It had a big black clock on the roof. I wouldn't be surprised if somebody here remembers it. Kona Hawaii and the Crows Nest were just down the street along with Crocker bank. In those days my brother and I would walk to the bank with my Grandmother to make the deposit. I doubt you would even dare think about that now. Once in a while we would walk down to McDonalds and take our lunch on down to Prentice Park to see the monkeys. There were a few years were I lived in Westminister as well as Garden Grove. That pic of HWY 39 Drive-In is awesome. I remember being devasted when I went back for a visit and saw the Wal-Mart. How about the slot car track at Hobby City? Or all the cool things that used to go on at Mile Square Park? Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble. I could go on and on. It was fun.
Regards,
James A. Deck
I WENT TO SAVHS AND GRADUATED IN 1964. THERE WERE A FEW FIGHTS, BUT THEY WERE ARRANGED. BEST I EVER SAW WAS TOMMY MARTIN AND JOE PRYNE. WE CRUISED MAIN STREET, WENT TO THE LEGION, WENT TO THE SHOW, SNUCK PEOPLE IN THE DRIVE IN BY PUTTING THEM IN THE TRUNK, AND DRANK COUNTRY CLUB STUBBIES WHENEVER WE COULD GET SOMEONE TO BUY THEM. MY BUDS WERE KARL GIERKE, LARRY "WEASLE" WILLIAMS, BOB THOMPSON, RON CLOYD, PUFFY, TIM COX AND A HOST OF OTHERS. VALLEY WAS GREAT. IF IT"S BAD NOW, IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF DISRESPECTFUL PUNKS THAT MAKE IT THAT WAY. TOO BAD. I ALSO REMEMBER MRS. MINARD.
One morecomment about 1967. I had a brother in-law that played in the Chantays. Three older (2)sisters and (1)brother. Remember Mike Grey and Steve Grey I thinkin a great fight. Both became good friends after beating the crap out of each other. (A DRAW)My sister graduated in 66 and brother in 65. I had many secret loves and Julia R. was one and Linda W. was another. Treasure your memories. My oldest sister was in the 3rd graduating class of SAV class of 63.RIP
I was born at Santa Ana Community Hospital, on Washington Street in 1947. Back then, your Birth Certificate came with the baby's "footprints", I still have mine one of the few things that survived. But I found out that it is not a legal document because it doesn’t have the Californian Stamp on it. The new ones are very simple with no finger or foot prints & look like there easy to forge. My feet are bigger now, size 13 LOL but I’m sure my foot prints haven’t changed.
BTW, Neat site, thanks.
I wonder if anybody remembers "The Haunted House" in Santa Ana. It was boarded up and had hub caps and crosses nailed to trees and walls. At night you'd see an old lady through the slats of the window. I don't remember the street it was on, but it was a corner house that faced a major street and a residential street. People would drive by out of curiosity. I was a teenager at the time but I never forgot how creepy that house was. Some of the neighbors on the street would shoo the kids AND adults off, because EVERYBODY would slow down, stop cars, or get out and take a peek around the house...
A search function might be in order. I wanted to look up gilmore's restaurant in Anaheim to see if there were pix of the t-rex that was part of the old mini golf course behind the old restaurant (it has since been rebuilt). I wanted to see if there were maybe behind the scenes pix of mickey rooney aound the 'set' of saint catherine military school. I forget the name of the movie though. I think it was 'Boy's Town'. Speaking about movies, what about drive-ins???
I know that I may not be near as old as most of the posters and readers here, but I must say this is probably the best site that I have ever come across. I have lived in OC my whole life and have only heard of the old days and how things used to be. This is the best time capsule I have ever seen.
Anyone remember Rosemary Shea (Shay?), a 1956 employee at Vandermast's in the second floor accounting office. That fall she enroled at Scripps College in Claremont. And then...?
Does anyone remember a small furniture store on Main st in Santa Ana about 4 blocks from Chestnut that was ran by an older man named Harry and his niece Rita. I think his last name could have been Taylor. Rita had two children a son named Remey and a daughter that I do not remember her name. I bought furniture from them in 1978. How would I look up the business license records?
Kelly Campbell
I do not have a history of ever going to the farm, but I do have some history if you are interested. I do know that Walter Knott's parents are buried in Iowa and I know the town. My fathers Grandmother was Walters sister who stayed in Iowa with her parents while Walter was on the Mormon
Trail on his way to Ca. If the family would like more information, please contact me.
I am looking for some history on the Greenbriar Inn. My mother & grandmother both worked there. Mom seems to remember that one of the owners murdered the other one, and that, some years later he was also murdered. How do I find out the real story?
We live in Oregon now, but I grew up in Orange County in the 60s. I spent many great hours at Knott's Berry Farm, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and at Disneyland. Does anyone remember the ticket books you used to get for the rides at Disneyland? There were tons of "A" tickets for the lesser attractions, and very few "E" tickets for the best rides.
How different it all is now.
Steve, what a great project! Thanks for walking us all down memory lane!
Joanne
I grew up in Huntington Beach in the 1960's.One day we were playing army on the hill that is located at Beach Blvd. and Ellis ave. it used to be old farm land and nothing but fields going down the hill on Ellis ave. digging our army foxholes we came across a large indian burial site, you can emagine the look on our parents faces when we returned with pottery and human bones!!! It was all donated to the Bowers museu in Santa Ana. Today there are condos covering that grave site,I wonder if the owners know whats under them? reguards Rick
This truly is a wonderful site. I stumbled on to it, looking for information about the The Jolly Knight, my husband and I would go there for special occasions. Any way it lead me to Orange County Memories. This site has brought back so many memories and takes me back home, if just for awhile. I live in Pennslyvania and long for my sunny home near the sea. I grew up in Santa Ana and went to George Washington Elamentary and McFadden Jr. HIgh as well as Saddleback High, Beep Beep!!! As little kids growing up on Baker Street near Menmorial Park we had a good child hood. With so many good memories, hanging out at the park was a very cool thing to do, near the handballl courts of course! Any one remember Lovers Lane? Any way we spent many hours at the skate ranch, and peaple talking about the Old West Coast theater on Main street along with the Broadway. It cost us .50 cents to get in. I remember watching the Plantet of the Apes there with my Mother and going to see Yellow Submarine and of course The night of the living Dead there, with other nieghborhhod kids. I could go on and on about our life in Orange County, to many memories to list, but I tell you what, when ever I come home for a summer visit, I bearly recognize it. It has changed so much. Thank goodness though for the Orange County Market Place, or as we called it when I was in High school the Orange County Swap meet,It stays un changing and we love to visit it, and of course our OC Fair, best fair in the united States, well at least to be anyway. It brings me home.
Suzie CA
Hi SuzyCA!
I grew up in OC and now live in PA as well! I long for California. I had the time of my life growing up in OC! I went to Killybrooke Elementary, Tewinkle Middle School and then graduated from Costa Mesa High in 1988.
I find if funny that I have trouble sometimes remembering my name but I have glimpses of attending Small World Preschool in Costa Mesa, competing in parades as a member of the Costa Mesa Westernettes drill team ( I think our biggest rival was the Westminster Coronettes?) and many, many other great times.
I am grateful to have come across this site. Thanks to all who post for the wonderful memories.
Sincerely,
Nicole Prevenslik Bosley
does anyone have any pics of the old shopping center in costa mesa in the 60's pantry market carnation ice cream parlor whats was the name of the dime store in the center.pixiejae@hotmail.com
I am looking for a photo of St. George & the Dragon - for an upcoming anniversary. Does anyone have one?
What a very cool site. Having lived in Southern California (Orange County, primarily) since 1941, I know and can remember a ton of restaurants and bars that I frequented. No time now to reminisce, but at a later date, I'll post some comments about a number of restaurants .... and people, too. majskyking@gmail.com
Does anyone have the Rueben's Restaurant recipe for Vinaigrette Dressing? If so, will you please post? Thanks!
Thanks for this blog. I can read all the experiences and relive the places. I look every now and then for a site like this. This is it. May it prosper. If people could submit photos.
I miss the open fields, groves, etc. Thanks.
PETE PETE PETE
anybody out there remember eddie munoz? from buena park lookn for old lost comrades from winds of the old days....jaywalker62@hotmail.com
someone was looking for the recipe for Bullock's TeaRoom chicken salad. I ran across this one and it sounds as close as we're going to get.
1 qt. baked chicken, cut in bite sezed pieces
1 sm can water chestnuts, drained and sliced
2 C. chopped celery
1 1/2 lb. red grapes cut in half
1/2C. toasted slivered almonds
Sauce: 1 1/2 C. mayonnaise
2T. soy sauce (?) may not have been in original recipe
1 level tsp curry powder
Mix well, pour over salad, mix and refrigerate
Hope this is close. As for the popovers, I have made just a simple recipe and they taste just like the large ones from the TeaRoom.
Enjoy! Dorothy
I stumbled across this site while trying to find something on the Charioteers Car Club of Tustin in the early to mid 1960's. My older brother belonged to it and lived for that club.
This is an amazing walk down memory lane - certainly tickles the memory bank.
Lowell, Lathrop & Santa Ana High - I remember seeing West Side Story at the Broadway theater & watching Keith, Earl, Denny & other Jr. High guys reinacting the Jet's & Shark's scene in the alley next to the theater - Couldn't get much cooler than that - at least we girls thought so.
Summer Days spent hanging out at 17th St. in Newport. Taking the ferry from the peninsula to Balboa Island - Eating Frozen Bananas,sno-cones and ordering custom made bikinis.
Wow! This is great! We moved to Santa Ana in 1968 Lived off of Chestnut street near 1st St and Jackson. Remember the Barracade fence on Jackson so No cars could drive through from 1st street to Mcfadden. How about the Dichondra farm behind Harbor Drive in? They would shoot you with Salt rifles if they caught you cutting through. How about Orie Tuckers Horse rides corner of 17th and Fairview. Remember in 69 or 70 when the Riverbed almost overflowed? We used to play on the train track bridge in the riverbed btwn 5th and 17th street. Red Ranch. Consumer city, How about a store named CAL that used to be on Westminster and Brookhurst? We lived right next to the ABC store which closed in 1970. My dad would buy me matchbox cars there.The gas station stayed open a couple more years. I remember gas being 29 cents a gallon in 72. How about Crown Department store on Warner and Harbor? Or the tr"A"tel trailor park on the corner of GG Blvd and Harbor.. I remember being at Zodys grand opening in 68 Lilac and Harbor. How about Woolco? I remember when Santa Anita park was built. I was at Mile Square Park on opening day.. Years later moved to Euclid and Edinger. Remember in the Alpha Beta parking lot there was a sign for years say Pioneer Chicken coming soon. Does anyone remember the sky slide and trampoline pits on 17th street? Also miniature golf? I could keep going on and on Thanks for letting me remember the fond memories..Oh yeah how about the House of Suzuki on Harbor? Or the Go carts on Harbor?
Anyone remember the Boathouse on main st. Santa ana, with all the junk inside and 25 cent beer nights. Sawdust on the floors. I remember going to Buffums downtown shopping with my mom, dressing up. And the Christmas manger scene at the Bullocks on main in the fountain outside.
Ahhhh, the Boathouse, 515 s. Main (someone used a marker to add a "0", making it "5150"). Cops, Marines, office gatherings, rats running across the rafters, Jerry the bouncer/bartender, cheap beer, those new things called video games :), wildest St. Patrick's party in town!!!
Just want to Thank You so much for this website. So many memories. During the recent lapse in new posts I was worried the Blog had gone to Blog Heaven. So glad that is not the case. Mark from Cowan Heights here.
Hey Steve,
Just found your site cruising the net. I grew-up with the Fisher family. Great people, great history. Anaheim would not be the same without the Fisher family.
Dan Rea
Just wanted to say to James A. Beck; Yes I do remember the slot car track at Hobby City. Spent many a young evening there. No beer required for fun, only lots of quarters. Great memories.
Back in 1955, my family moved from Kula, Maui to Linwood Street,Santa Ana, a 12 house cul-de-sac off Fourth Street to begin a properous life,when there was hope for the future. Dad landed a job with Kerr Glass Company on Standard Street, who took us for a tour of how how Ball Mason Canning Jars were made. On Wednesday evening's, we looked forward to the Helm's Bakery truck to pull up in front of the house,toot his whistle. Before we could get to the sidewalk, the driver pulled out his donut and sweet roll drawers that were lined also other pastries. By 5pm in the autumn or winter,the driver faithfully showed up,holding an umbrella in the rain too. Between the bread man and the Fuller Brush who generally showed up monthly, offering his FREE lint brush with the hopes you'd purchase his products. Those were the days my friends, and we really did feel they would never end. My parents being of the Big Band era, made a monthly purchase of 45 records at Gracy Records on Broadway St.,where you could go into a booth to listen to the sample on the record player. And on the way home it was a real treat to have a piece of pie at the 302 Cafe on Main Street and watch the patrol cars leave the police station, like on the Dragnet Show. On a typical day after school, my sister's and I would sit on the floor to watch Black and White TV on the floor, no one grumbling at each other and see our favorite member of the Mickey Mouse Club Show.
So where the Mousecateer's today? Annette is very ill with MS,but Disney is still a big deal. What use to cost a whopping $14.00 for a tickets to the Magical land, a package is outlandishly over $100.00 p.p today. It's better to take a hike today at Newport's Back Bay where nature is still FREE to embrace.
Anyone know the name of the cute craft boutique/candy store in the Vons shopping center at Magnolia and Atlanta in Huntington Beach during the 1990's? It was in the corner, closest to Vons.. They sold homemade crafty knick knacks and had all kinds of candy in glass jars.. Two women friends owned it together and it was such a cute shop.. I cant remember the name.. Ughh... I just drove by there and the store is no longer there :-(
This will be the longest long shot ever! I remember a restaurant 'somewhere' in OC, big claim to fame was their desserts. They were in a big glass cylinder that turned so you could see all of them. My husband dragged me there and then a few years later, back again and now he cannot remember it at all! It was what I would call an "old fashioned" type place and very possibly could have been inland, half an hour from Huntington Beach, maybe even over the line into LA county...Bellflower? They had meat loaf and lots of what I would call mid-western type food but the dessert was the thing. Any ideas would be welcome, maybe it will jog my memory.
I graduated in 1961- I always thought there would be a class reunion- never happened- I am now in Lebanon,Oregon- anybody remember Broadway Blvd? Well, I lived right across from the Broadway Baptist Church- Lathrop Junior High was close by-My folks ran South Main Beverage-It sounds like things have really changed down there- I wish I could get aquainted again with some of my classmates-Anybody remember Mr. Anderson from Choir? well, that is it for me
The restaurant you're referring to is Belisles. They were on the corner of Harbor and Chapman. It was a family tradition to go there after visiting Disneyland.
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