Does any one remember the Weber Bread Bakery on North Main Street in Santa Ana? It was about two blocks north of the Santiago Creek bridge and just south of what is now the Main Place Mall. The aroma coming from the bakery was always in the air for blocks and blocks around this building. What a wonderful memory it was in the mid- to late-60s to peer through the large plate glass windows of this bakery while standing on the sidewalk and watching the bakers hard at work.That motorcycle dealership he recalls, I believe, was Irv Seaver BMW, which has since moved (or more correctly, moved back) to Orange. Seaver has published a history of his dealership on his site, noting all the places it was located, and previous ownerships. (link)
Other memories include a Santa Ana Ana Dog and Cat Hospital, also on North Main Street, located across the street from Weber Bread Bakery, where we would take the family cats and dogs for their annual shots, etc.
There was also a park in the area called Santiago Park, where bike riding and hiking were great fun.
Two other memories include the English Motel, also on North Main Street in Santa Ana, just north of the bridge that went over the 5 Freeway and the tall Bekins Moving and Storage Building across the street from the the English Motel. There was also a motorcycle dealership there, too.
I lived in Santa ana from 59-76, and then my family moved to Texas; howevver, I returned to Orange County (McDonnell Douglas in Huntington Beach) in 86 and established residence in Santa Ana very near the Bower's Museum on Main Street. Upon returning to Santa Ana in 86, and living there through 99, the bakery, veterinarian's office, and motorcycle dealership were all gone. The old mall, where Bullock's was, had been gutted and converted to the Main Place Mall, with an entirely new appearance and feel that I thought was kind of sad.
Anyone having memories or these landmarks, please post a reply. Thanks.
Austin Cooper
Decatur, Alabama
And what of that "old mall" that used to be where Main Place now sits? The OC Archives has a photo of "Fashion Square" on its Flickr site (link)
I remember seeing Fashion Square, but never ventured in there, since we lived closer to South Coast Plaza.
I'm a blogger and internet marketer, motorcycle rider, and craft beer lover.
10 comments:
I also grew up in Santa Ana. I lived in the city from 1955 to 1971. I had a friend who lived directly across the street from the Webers Bakery. I will never forget going to his house and smelling that great bread aroma. Also that was Irv Seaver motorcycles near that same area. I worked there while I went to Santa Ana High School. It was a "work experience" class. I too have great memories of that beautiful park along the creek. My dad was a S.A. fireman and we had department parties there every year.
I don't remember the actual bakery but I do remember the Weber Bread Trucks that drove through our neighborhood in the 1960's. The driver would stop and pull out wooden shelves of fresh bread.
Do you remember the truck that would come once a year and we would have our family photos taken in the back of the truck? I think it was Foremost Milk Company.
I lived in Santa Ana, near Flower and 17th streets during that time. Nothing like getting up early on a Saturday morning and you could smell that bread baking so many blocks away. Such a wonderful memory! Also does anyone else remember the Skate Ranch? It was right next to the creek, they had chickens and roosters running around in their parking lot. Lots of birthday parties at the Skate Ranch.
I worked at the Bullocks (now Macy's)in Fashion Square in 1976. They have still kept the same brass door pulls on the entrances that were used back then.
I was just going through old photos and came across one that had been taken in the Foremost Milk truck.. and I wondered if anyone else had memories of that. Mine is of my brother and I and it is printed on a 1962 calendar. We lived in Long Beach. It is still in the original frame and my mom has had it all these years.
I remember that bread baking smell too. Fantastic! Used to go to Irv Seaver's for parts for my Suzuki 90.
Motel English:The last of the great art deco motels
Is Weber Bread made anymore? I am doing a Sam Shepard play and am looking for about 6 Weber Bread wrappers. Can anyone help with this? Our theatre is in Pennsylvania. Thank you in advance for your help.
I lived in Orange and we always went past Weber's on the way to Santa Ana. I remember how good it smelled when we drove by. I grew up in the 50's so here are a few more memories. Hall's Drive Inn, Mary's Malt Shop, the Hula Hut in Anaheim, Merle's Drive Inn in Corona Del Mar (I think), and there was a Hall's DRive Inn clear down at the what we called the triangle I think. Just before you turned to go to the LIghter than Air blimp base. Marlene
I live in Frazier Park now, and was sitting at the Jack in the Box right near the 5 Fry. amd glanced up and a Weber's Bread Truck went by. And I wasn't dreaming, because the person I was with saw it too. Does anyone know anything about this? Marlene
I lived kitty corner from the backery from when I was born 1934, to 1945 when my folks bought the Santa Ana Motel right across Main St.from our house on the East side of Main.
I spent a LOT of time in and around the Weber Backery. When ever a deformed loaf of bread came out of the oven a sorter would throw it in a bin while it was still warm and I would get it and eat it. Boy was that good! I also loved to see Oscar, the man that delivered the flower, pull up to the side door as I would run over to "Help" him unload. He would pay me a quater to stay in the spot he pointed out.
The motel abutted Santiago Creek on the north, to the South was Karl and Marian Loerch House and then Julian Heims auto repair shop on the corner across the side Street from the Backery. The skate ranch was built after the war.
mrwetz@aol.com
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