Dick Gerber sends us his memories of living in Anaheim during the 1960's, and mentions his favorite eateries, the people he knew, and the places he shopped...
Greetings!
When I got out of the military in 1960, I ended up in a tiny town named Anaheim. I met my bride to be at the California Bldg. at Center and Los Angeles Streets. We too went to the Bean Hut, Carl's, The Clock, Harmony Park and Oscars at Harbor and Katella. We ate a lot at Chung Kings on Center Street because it was cheap. We also went to the Roberts Room on Euclid when we had any money. Otherwsie it was the Kit Kat on Center Street accoss the street from the Kramer Building. They were right next to Ritz Cleaners and across the street from the Murray dance studio.
Downtown, we went to Leos' Cafe where you could always find Anaheim Police Trike Motor Officer, Joe Miranda getting a cup of free coffee. That is, if he wasn't at one of the Winchell's Doughnuts getting free coffee! Movies at the Garden or Fox, and great hamburgers at Armstrong's on W. Center Street
15 cent Hamburgers from the Burger Chef on State College, and then to the Anaheim Drive Inn. $1.50 a car load. That got you three movies if you were lucky.
First car from Casey Beckman Pontiac on Los Angels Street. Jerry Lamar promoted to Detective, APD Juvenile, and worked for Sgt. Heaton who later hit the Irish Sweepstakes. Our first apartment was on North Lemon Street not far from La Palma Park, and then on Mills Drive. Owned a house on Clementine back in the late 60's. Jerry Lamar bought a new home on the west side in about 1962 and still lives there! He did retire sometime ago from APD.
Great hardware store downtown along with the SQR department store. The old Valencia Hotel was managed by Emile Schab. Another hotel was the old Pickwick, which was also the Greyhound bus station if I recall right. The Pancake House on Lincoln was a favorite, and still is from what I hear. East Anaheim was the new Anaheim, and my wife's folks bought a home there brand new in 1958. Her Aunt and Uncle bought one on the next street over and now my youngest son, 38, owns it.
I really miss the "old Anaheim" from those days. While there are small pockets where memories flood back, it's a changed town for me. It seems like only yesterday that Stillwell's Studebaker was right around the corner from Leo's on Los Angeles Street. I collected bricks from several blgs as there were being torn down because of Keith Murdock's vast plan for a new Anaheim. Speaking of Keith, that just reminded me of old Calvin Pebley and Jerry Sneegas, former councilmen.
Dick Gerber
I'm a blogger and internet marketer, motorcycle rider, and craft beer lover.
Ha! I lived on Mills Drive for a few years, 1979 thru 1983. Small world.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness what great memories. I grew up in what is now "old East Anaheim" but it was soooo new in the 1960s. My siblings and I went to Lincoln Elementary school before they tore down the old buildings, what a beautiful school. I attended The First Presbyterian Church on Broadway and Clementine; met my husband there. I remember eating at Chung Kings Downtown as well as Las Casitas. Movies at the Fox were regular entertainment. Does any one else remember downtown decorated for Halloween. All of the stores, the Banks the City Hall had painted windows. I remember a haunted walk through City Hall one year and trick or treating at the bank building after the Kiddie Parade. I rode on a float a few years on a row during the nighttime Halloween parade. It would truly be scary on some of those streets at night now, how sad is that. I also remember swimming in Pearson Park and a kiddie fishing derby in the ponds there. What a great place to have grown up. I still work in Anaheim, and while there are still some nice things about it, it is just not the same.
ReplyDeleteBurger Chef, now that place sure holds memories. My family moved to Anaheim in 1964. I was in the
ReplyDelete2nd graduation class of Katella High, class of 1969!
By the corner of State College and Lincoln there was a ThriftyMart grocery store and down from there was a terrific bakery shop. That's where my wedding cake was from, in 1972.
I moved from Orange county in 1980, moved up to Sacramento. I now live in Dallas, TX but I still miss Orange county.
robert Bertram, I do miss Anaheim, We moved there in the early 1960's in a new house off of rio vista. Went to Guinn elementry school after i went to Lincoln in first grade. Then on to south Jr. high and then 1 year at Katella high school.Fantastic Memories to numerous to mention. Was great place to grow up.Loved the Helms truck and the dairy truck (can't remember the name) coming every week .Really miss my child hood
ReplyDeleteBorn and raised 632 S. Chantilly St. Went to Guinn, South and Katella. Still go to Angelo's before Angel games. Grew up with the Fregosi's. The area/demographics have changed since I lived there (64 - 77) then go back to the area every once and awhile. Go to Katella basketball games every so often. Cannot belive the peopl who still live in the neighborhood..I have great memories of growing up in East Anaheim when the 57 fwy was orange groves/dirt fields..Farrell's on Tustin. Chili Pepper on Main St. Pheonix Club etc. Does anyone remember the old Buffalo Bill restaurant at Chapman/Main?
ReplyDeleteBoy- Do you bring back memories. I moved to Anaheim in 1963. Graduated from Loara High School in 1968. I knew Jerry LaMar's son Dennis LaMar. I understand Dennis died a couple of years ago. I don't think people who live in Anaheim today,know the Anaheim we grew up in. It was a great time to live in Anaheim. We spent many hours playing at Crone park. I can remember we all had to go home after the Disneyland fireworks went off about 9 P.M. I no longer live in Anaheim, but I have fond memories growing up there. I can remember going with my dad on Sat. to Linbrook Hardware Store.
ReplyDeleteAdohr!
ReplyDeleteMy family moved to anaheim in Jan 1957, lived on cris avenue...First graduation class of Brookhurst Jr High...Attended the AUHS, at the time the only high school in Anaheim, played football c's, b's, JV's and Varsity...Coached by the great Dutchman, Clare Van Hoorbeke...Other coaches, Don Liebart, George Russos, Jack Lee, Trainer John Donnely. Worked on the Yearbook, Mr Larry Quille, and had Ms Faye K Shultz for Senior Problems...The best years of my life....Lived only 5 or 6 blocks from Disneyland, when it was a cheap place to go on a Saturdy Night date.
ReplyDeleteIn 1957-58 there was a drive through burger joint across the street from AUHS. They had a great big juicy burger with everything on it - very yummy. Do any of you remember the name of that place? I left Anaheim in 1960 for the Midwest and have very fond memories of my years in Stanton and Anaheim.
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