26 Comments:

• Does anyone remember a Country Day School in Huntington Beach in the late 60's and into the 70's....my brother attended one and I need some information on it....

  By  Anonymous, at March 29, 2005 5:35 PM  

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• I heard this about Katella when visiting Bowers Museum, 10 or 15 years ago.

  By  Anonymous, at March 29, 2005 6:18 PM  

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• I collect old Anaheim postcards. I got one a few months ago of the old City Hall building (3 buildings ago) that was mailed in 1909 to Miss Ella Ray at the Institute for the Deaf in Berkeley. After some quick research with the Anaheim Historical Society, I confirmed that it indeed was sent to the Ella of Katella fame.

  By  Anonymous, at April 09, 2005 2:05 PM  

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• I went to Katella Elementary School the first year it opened sometime in the early 60's. At the back of the playground was an old home that faced Katella Street just west of Wanda. We were told that there were 2 girls that grew up in the house who's names were Kate and Ella. As I recall, this was a beautiful green house with a large circular look out on top of it. Today that piece of property is a playground but you can still see the trees that were on the property before they tore it down. The school is now the Orange Unified School District offices. Does anyone remember Bruno's market on the corner of Katella and Wanda? There is a mural of it inside the Coffe Grove coffee house in the Ralph's shopping center in Villa Park.

  By  Anonymous, at April 29, 2005 2:18 PM  

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• According to the 1900 Census District 397, Berkeley Ward 3, Alameda Co., CA:
  
  Rea, John, head, b. April 1848 Canada, immigrated in 1873, married 25 yrs, occupation Rancher.
  
  Rea, Margaret, wife, b. January 1840 Canada, immigrated in 1875, married 25 yrs, 2 children with 2 surviving.
  
  Rea, Kate, daughter, b. March 1876, California, single, student at university.
  
  Rea, Ella, daughter, b. September 1881, California, single, at school.

  By  Anonymous, at August 07, 2005 6:17 PM  

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• Correction: I mis-posted Margaret's date of birth. The census lists it as January 1849, NOT Januray 1840.

  By  Janis Oakes, at August 07, 2005 6:23 PM  

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• My older brother and sister went to Katella Elementary. My other brother and I went to Paul Revere Elementary. When I was young the story was told that their Mom and Dad would stand out on the porch and yell "Kate...Ella" to inform them to come home. Someone heard them and decided to name the street after them. Or so they say. I went to Ball Jr High, but moved to Missouri between 8th and 9th Grade. I would have gone to Katella High School. I went to Center Senior High in KCMO instead.

  By  Anonymous, at October 02, 2005 4:51 PM  

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• I went to Katella Elementary from 1958 to 1964. The original school was torn down to build a motel, the Space Age Motel. I haven't been back in years to see if that motel is even still there.
  
  I remember the "itching powder" tree in the middle of the playground. The seed pods would make you itch. I have no idea what type of tree it was. Most of the classrooms were "portables". I think there were only about 4 classrooms in the original brick part. In the 5th & 6th grade we would go to the Resource Room and some of our subjects were presented through close circuit TV. We were told the name of the school was named after the 2 girls, Kate and Ella. The neighborhood I grew up in, all the streets had names such as, Janette, Norma, Stella, Gail... Does anyone know if these were other family members?

  By  Wendy Mansell Holmes, at November 05, 2005 10:41 PM  

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• I went to Katella Elem. in the late 60's/early 70's and remember the tree that is still on that property. I also remember Bruno's market and the big open field between Handy and Wanda right where that market used to be. My mom still lives on Coolidge in the Presidental Street's area (Jackson, Adams, Wilson etc..) and I see that school everytime when I drive to see her.
  
  Ruben

  By  Anonymous, at December 02, 2005 1:37 PM  

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• I remember the "Itching powder" tree at Katella elementary and the Janitor who would burn trash and rubbish in the incenerator periodically. It seemed to me that the old school had two newer portions, one stucco and the others temporary buildings.
  
  To address Wendy Mansell Homes, whom I vaguely remember, I lived on Gail Lane from 1959 to 1974 I was told those street names were chosen by the developer who built that tract.
  
  I remember siting in Mrs. Johnson's multipurpose room taking most information from a closed circuit TV (Which was some kind of progressive education back then). I remember when they tore down Katella Elementary to build the "Inn of Tomorrow".

  By  Jan Taylor, at June 01, 2006 9:37 PM  

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• I do remember the "itching powder" from several trees on campus that kids would gather and drop down your shirt or blouse sometime around 1961-62. The best I can remember from these itching substances is that they were about the size of a golf ball and were soft, furry, fuzzy, or spikey round balls that itched like hell when dropped down your back. They looked like little soft brownish or blondish balls that would dissipate or fall apart when touched.
  
  Let me know what you think.
  
  Katella ex
  
  1961,
  
  Philip Pennington

  By  Philip Pennington, at August 25, 2006 12:48 AM  

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• This is very intersting to me personally since I just named my newborn daughter Katella, after Katella Ave in Anaheim. I thought it would be interesting to see where the name originally came from and found this site. It's so neat to learn about Kate and Ella so I can tell my daugher about the origin of her name one day!

  By  Amy, at September 13, 2006 11:03 PM  

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• I also atteneded Katella Elementary in the mid 1970's. Although the house that has been referred to was no longer there at the time I attended, The trees were still there along with a beautiful monument that gave tribute to the history of that home.

  By  HOUSTON, at October 15, 2006 2:00 AM  

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• I attended Katella Elementary school along with my brother Jimmy, and sister Kathy. I use to go over to Wendy's house to "play" or to bug her. I would love to here from her.
  
  Doris Bonifacio
  dorismperry@yahoo.com

  By  Doris Bonifacio (Perry), at November 11, 2006 10:07 PM  

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• Wow! What a trip down memory lane. I remember going to Wendy's house after school with my sister Kathy.
  I remember Mrs. Taft was my teacher in fifth and sixth grade. i also remember going to the resource room where Miss Jenkins and a a male teacher, can't recall his name, taught social studies and science.
  I went to Katella from 1959 until1963. I too, remember the itching powder. It was lots of fun throwing it at the boys.
  Doris Bonifacio (perry)
  Dorismperry@yahoo.com

  By  Doris Bonifacio (Perry), at November 11, 2006 10:15 PM  

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• My name is Bob Hickman. email bobhickman99@yahoo.com. Please email me if you know me!!! I went to Katella Elementary from 1955 thru 1958. We used to play knife throwing games (stretch & mumble dee peg?) and marbles right under that itchy tree. That tree seems to be a center for many of us, either getting it stuffed down us, or stuffing it down our friends! I remember Mrs. Taft (2 years!), and a pretty teacher I think named Miss Allen? Friends Mike Adams, Bob Bittenbender, Steve Schapel, Bobby Phillips (the first true red head kid I ever met!). Debbie Donkerbrook chased me and then kissed me. Debbie where are you now? Janet Ford, Suzanne Potts, all the pretty little girls!

  By  Bob Hickman, at March 15, 2007 6:16 PM  

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• I went to Katella High School in 1966. It was a brand new school. The Angels had just moved to Anaheim. My friend, Rick and I sold peanuts at the Big "A". I took a trip to the old neighborhood a couple weeks ago, and it hadn't changed that much. The jet at Boysen Park is still there.

  By  bingobum90630, at June 19, 2007 9:43 AM  

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• I remember Bruno's Market quite well. Never thought of it being located at Katella And Wanda - We just referred to that intersection as Bruno's Junction. Still recall the train that ran parallel to Wanda, pulling refigerated cars to the Villa Park packing house. Although the chores were usually handled by diesel locomotives, once in a blue moon an old steam locomotive was pressed into service. I can still hear it chugging down the tracks, belching out smoke like there was no tomorrow.
  
  Vince

  By  Anonymous, at July 03, 2007 9:45 PM  

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• Hi,
  I went to Katella back in the 1963-1964, I remember the day John F. Kennedy was shot and killed and someone came into our classroom to tell us the news.
  Our principal was a Mr. Kennedy and I couldn't imagine why someone shot him. Our 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Dorthy Ruffing cried and cried.
  I don't remember the itchy tree, I remember the portable buildings.
  I love the story of how Katella was named, I never knew that before.

  By  Bren, at September 17, 2007 12:22 PM  

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• I went to Katella Elementary(the original one) from 1st to 5th grade ('60-'65). The school was torn down to build the present day "Inn of Tomorrow" and "Coco's Restaurant". I remember the itching powder tree too. Mrs. Raney was the 1st grade teacher, she wore bright red lipstick. The principal was Mr. Johnson too. When Kennedy was killed we thought our principal was going to be president. We had some friends, the Edward's family, they lived on the small parcels of property across the street on the Disneyland parking lot. Katella was named for two daughters, Kate and Ella. I am sure you could find more information by visiting the Old Colonial house in downtown Anaheim.

  By  Carolyn Thompson Hinderberger, at September 24, 2007 10:32 PM  

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• I went to Katella Elementary School from 1964 to 1967 (kindergarten through second grade). Then, in third grade we went to Stoddard Elementary. I think they closed Katella and sent everyone to Stoddard---would that be correct? My kindergarten teacher's name was Mrs. Hines. She was an older ,thin woman with her hair in a beehive. My first grade teacher was Mrs. Myhre. I won the first grade science fair. I have the certificate that she and Mr. Johnson, our principal, signed. I cannot remember my second grade teacher's name. When I was in first grade, I had a tremendous crush on a boy named Bobby Farrell. My best friend was Julia McCormick. In 1968 we moved to North Dakota.

  By  Rita, at October 27, 2007 9:10 PM  

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• I remember Katella. I went there when it opened brand new. My sister and I were going to Handy Elem. until Katella was completed. We were at Handy when Pres. Kennedy was shot. They sent everyone home from school. I was in 5th grade, Mr. Fischer's class.I remember how everything was so new at Katella. I do remember Bruno's market and the old house up the street. We lived right by the school in a new housing tract.

  By  lisa, at December 14, 2007 7:50 PM  

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• I attended Katella Elementary from 1962 (kindergarten, forget my teacher's name) until 1965 when I moved to Riverside. I lived on Madris Street abiut a mile south of Disneyland off of Harbor.
  
  I remember the big tree on the playground but don't recall the "itching" part of it. Mrs. raney was my first grade teacher and I remember it was her daughter who told us Kennedy had been shot. I remember thinking it was our principal who was going to be president as well.
  
  Mrs. Travers was my second grade teacher. I don't remember too many names from those days but Kevin Carlson was my best friend.
  
  Richard Kincaid

  By  Richard Kincaid, at June 08, 2008 12:12 PM  

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• I remember Brunos market as being the candy haven for all of us kids. I went to Handy elementary which was not to far from there. Grew up living on Monroe st.

  By  Anonymous, at August 07, 2008 1:36 PM  

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• Hey Lisa, I saw your post just a couple up from the bottom. I also was at Handy when President Kennedy was shot. Do you remember Mr Brown or Mrs Butler or maybe even Mr hamilton, he use to smoke and watch us at recess. Do you remeber all the carnivals and paper drives we use to have there. Those were some good times growing up. My familly lived on Monroe st not far from the school.
  
  My name is Tom my sister Sandy and Brother Greg all went to Handy.

  By  Anonymous, at August 29, 2008 11:13 AM  

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• The memories of Katella Elementary school are precious to me. I went the school from Kinder to 5th grade 1961 -1967 when they decided to tear it down in 1967 and send us to new school Stoddard. I use to stay after school and help the custodians. I remember the itchy powder trees, the wonderful carnivals (I won a golfish) and almost all my teachers. Mrs. Hines was Kinder. Mrs. Monitor was 1st, Mrs. Edwards 2nd. My favorite in 3rd was Miss. Foskie, Mrs. Taft (kind sweet with red nail polish and red lips and drove a pink cadillac, and Mrs. Phillipian in 5. The brick portion of the school contained the offices and the kindergarten rooms. When JFK was assassinated, all the stdents went home. My family lived on West st. a few doors down from the school. Sweet Memories!

  By  Anonymous, at August 31, 2008 8:20 PM  

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