Sponsored Links








Add to Technorati Favorites


Garden Grove & Westminster in the 1950's and 1960's

by Steve
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Carol Kennedy submits her memories of growing up in Garden Grove, and going to school in Westminster. She also talks about the stores and restaurants she remembers...
What memories this site brings back! We moved to Garden Grove in 1954, and my parents bought a brand-new tract house the next year, on Florence Lane. There were still orange groves around us. Because we were the end house on a cul-de-sac, we had 1/3 acre. My dad fenced in a huge backyard, but that still left a triangular-shaped piece in back that stayed "wild." We used to build tumbleweed forts out there. We caught lizards and "horny toads" (horned lizards), and jackrabbits would leap across the lot.

My brother and I went to Blessed Sacrament grade school in Westminster, but all our neighbors went to public school: Marie L. Hare, which was a grade school at the time. Later we went to Mater Dei, and the neighbors went to Rancho.

I remember, just for starters: the A&W and the Pink Spot on Chapman; a truck farm where a number of Japanese-American families lived at Magnolia and Garden Grove Blvd.; the Gem Theater (in downtown); the Hiway 39 drive-in; a trampoline place where you could pay to jump by the half-hour or hour, on Chapman east of Gilbert; the polo grounds on Garden Grove Blvd. east of Magnolia.

I remember when the Sav-on was built on the southwest corner of Chapman and Brookhurst--ice cream cones there were 5 cents for a scoop, with a choice of about ten flavors, and candy bars were three for 10 cents; when the plaza on the northwest corner of that intersection was built, and my folks shopped at the Thriftimart; when St. Columban's school was built, and later St. Polycarp's; when the Grove Theater was built, and we started going there instead of the old Gem.

So many memories came flooding back as I read comments here! I wish your site had a "search" feature, but it's great as it is. Thanks!

If anyone thinks they remember me, they can email me at bigred_56@hotmail.com.

Carol Kennedy

Labels: ,

10 Comments:

  • I'd completely forgotten about the trampoline place. It must have gone when I was very young, because I have just a faint memory of it.

    That brings to mind the little "amusement park" that was next to a building in the shopping center on the south side of Garden Grove Blvd. just east of Gilbert (Garden Grove Plaza, maybe?) They had a small "train" that ran in circles and lots of animals (rabbits mostly, as I recall) in little cages. That must have been there until the mid to late 60's.

    By Blogger Dad, at October 25, 2007 3:53 PM  

  • "Kiddieland" was the name of of the little amusement park. It was rigfht off of GG Blvd - next to the Foster' Freeze - with the Grove Theatre further back. Judkin's Music, Priscilla's Bakery weere in the same shopping area. Wasn't there a bowling alley in the corner (to the right of the Grove Theatre if you were facing it? Coles' Grocery Store across the street...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at March 12, 2008 5:27 AM  

  • Good times in GG. In the same shopping center as Kiddieland there was Treon Drugs and Shi's Japanese store. For a while there was a take-out Chinese food place called Han-Hong. Maple Lanes bowling alley was east on GG Blvd before Nutwood. I believe it burned down in the 80's. Accross the street was Coles Grocery Store.

    By Anonymous Tetsujin808, at March 14, 2008 6:04 PM  

  • I went to Blessed Sacramnet first and second grade, then I went to St. Columban's - Father Murphy, Father Moran - Father Gearty. who died very young. Irish Sisters of Charity nuns....very Catholic. The big thrill was once a year (might have been at Easter)we would walk from St. Columbans to the Gem Theatre and see "The Ten Commandments." That was a neat day!

    Maple Lanes --- first time I was in there the pins were manually set! Must have been like 1956? Edo's Restaurant, on GG Blvd. WT Grant's; Leonards; Hamburger handout; Roller Skating rink at Haster & GG Blvd. What ever happened to Kid's Haven???

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at March 20, 2008 5:44 PM  

  • Does anybody remember Lance coffee shop across from the Grove Theater and All American grocery store in that shopping center? We went Earl Warren school and Garden Grove High. They were some really good days.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at March 23, 2008 6:22 PM  

  • Please somebody tell me the name of that trampoline game!! There was like a basketball hole in the back with walls separating the players. Very cool.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at April 01, 2008 10:36 PM  

  • I believe the trampoline game was called "Hi-Ball". It had 4 chambers with like an 8 foot divider net between them. I remember one version where all 4 people jumped on the same trampoline, and then a later version where each chamber had it's own. The object of the game was to chuck the "ball", more like a stuffed pillow, into the hole at the back of your opponents chamber. Great fun!

    Anyone remember the Copper Penny restaurant on the North side of Chapman west of Brookhurst? I also have a recollection of a diner/deli called Big Bernies??? on the South side of Chapman, west of Brookhurst, near where currently stands an IHOP.

    By Anonymous Tetsujin808, at April 05, 2008 5:12 PM  

  • I definitely remember the Copper Penny restuarant in "The Plaza".

    I do remember the other place you're talking about...it was back in the corner, behind the IHOP, right? I had to think about it, but I have a faint recollection.

    By Blogger Steve, at April 05, 2008 6:13 PM  

  • I don't know how I came accross this blog but how nice. I grew up in Garden Grove on Bluebell Ave, just a few steps from Harbor and Orangewood. I remeber everything y'all (in Texas now) are talking about. The Copper Penny was a regualr stop for my parents. I went to Parkview Elementary, Issac Walton Jr High, Santiago HS and UC Irvine.

    cheers

    Bryan Nelson

    By Blogger Bryan, at April 12, 2008 4:05 PM  

  • Please tell me about the "copper penny" restaurant!! I'm collection the ware and its almost impossible to find platters, plates and whatever else i can get. I have enough mugs.

    I wished I could find a menu from their also!!

    Penny

    By Blogger CopperPenny, at April 27, 2008 12:19 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home