Burning Trash in the Backyard

Anonymous submits various memories of living in Garden Grove during the 1960s and 1970s, and interesting, includes a memory of using an incinerator to burn trash in the backyard...

I was born in Anaheim, Garden Park Hospital, a little local small hospital now gone, but grew up in Garden Grove in the 60's and 70's. Went to Gilbert Elementary (still there), Zeyen Elementary, Marie L. Hare, and Rancho Alamitos.

When I was really little I remember that our phone number had a word at the beginning. Ours was R-I and then the rest of the number. Our phone number area was called Richmond (R-I). Also, we had a party line on our phone, so we could overhear our neighbors conversations on the phone, of course, we were suppose to be respectful of their privacy, and you were not suppose to talk over 10 minutes at a time.

I also remember that we had an incinerator in our back yard to burn trash, eventually the city made it illegal, and then we took our trash to the dump, which is now Irvine!

I remember how Turtle Rock used to be very visible from miles around.

Some other memories:

Big Bernies Delicatessen: They had great sandwiches and pickles.

Piccolio's Shoe Repair: That man scared me as a child, he didn't like children.

Copper Penny: Both of my older sister worked as waitresses at that restaurant, everyone tried to dig the pennies out of the counter!

I really didn't think much at the time that I was living in such a wonderful community, but now that I think back, that was a wonderful time!

When we moved into Santa Ana in 1978, we had an incinerator in the backyard too. We didn't use it for trash burning however. But I thought it was cool we were one of the few houses left that still had one. My dad ended up converting it into a strawberry planter.

But I remember from 1969-1971, we lived in Yokohama, Japan, just on the outskirts of town. The city did not offer trash service out there. So, the neighbors would bring out their trash each week and dump it into a large steel bin, and then set it on fire.

This was the opportunity for neighbors to mingle and talk and get up to date with everybody. Neighbors would bring out snacks, drinks, and hors d'oeuvres they made specifically for the occasion. It was like having a block party. If we hadn't had the neighborhood trash-burn, I don't think neighbors would have ever gotten to know each other.

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The Bean Hut of Anaheim

The Bean Hut was a drive-in fast-food joint located in Anaheim on Anaheim Boulevard. During the 1950s and 1960s, it was the place for local youth to hang out and be seen, kinda like Mel's Drive In on the Happy Days sitcom.

This place was before my time, but had heard other people talk about it. It's a dentist office now.

A couple of OCThen readers submitted some brief mention of it...

Anonymous said...

60's, the Bean Hut in Anaheim or the Rhythm Room in Fullerton, anyone remember?

MicketyMick said...

Man I miss the Bean Hut! North end of Anaheim Blvd. I think it's a dentist's office now :(

Lots of great eating places like Belisle's shut down leaving us with only chain restaurants. Speaking of which, I'm happy to say that a NEW Farrell's is being built in Mission Viejo, and should be open at the end of October 2009. As much as I shouldn't have ice cream, I am SO going.

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Summer Love at Disneyland

I don't know if it still happens today, but it used to be that Disneyland was utilized as a babysitter of sorts. When parents wanted to free themselves of the kids and spend some time alone, they would drop them off at Disneyland.

The kids would have fun all day long, and the parents picked them back up in the evening.

My parents never dropped me off at Disneyland. I was 12 years old when we moved to Orange County, and my little brother was a year old. So I just old enough to take care of myself, and take care of my little brother. My parents took advantage of that.

Mark of Cabernet and Chocolate submits his memories of getting dropped off at Disneyland and meeting his girlfriend there...

I believe I was in Junior High when I discovered that Disney was a great place. Why? Well, you could get dropped off at the "Park" and parents thought it was safe. Remember, they had those giant security guards in the sixties. Even better, was that the parents of girls thought Disney was safe. No parents, safe place and girls, Disney was a great place.

In the summer of 1965 I met Sharon. She was from Granada Hills. Her parents thought Disney was safe and would drive down the 5 to drop her off and then would go to a local spot they like for "dinner and dancing". Sharon was gorgeous, blond, tan and so very cute. It was puppy love at first sight. We rode rides, we watched can can dancers and even better we rode the "dark" rides.

If you lived in Orange County you know what I mean. How many times can you co "up up and away" on the Peter Pan ride in one night.

Every Saturday I would meet her at 7pm at the gate. And at 11pm she would scamper like Cinderella out the gate and back to Granada Hills. She was my first romantic, bells and whistles kiss. I feel for her. Then one Saturday she did not show. I found out later her parents had found she was hanging out with older boys. I was 14 she was 13. I called her and she professed her love and frustration but I never saw her again. I called her once, still had the phone number, she had a boyfriend and I was in love with a girl from Santiago, but wow, those Disney Delights.

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Doctor's Hospital of Santa Ana

A couple of OCThen readers submitted memories of Doctor's Hospital in Santa Ana, on 17th Street. I don't particularly remember this place, but based on my Googling, I think they're talking about the building where Kindred Hospital now sits, in the old Honer Plaza, across from Santa Ana College.

Kindred is now a long term acute care facility. But I do remember there being a county-run clinic nearby, or sharing the same building.

Anonymous said...

I was stationed at El Toro 56-57-58 and shopped at the Market Basket grocery in Tustin. Is it still there? Red Hill Ave in Tustin you could see the base on a clear( El Toro) day. Also does anyone know if the Doctor's Hospital on 17th street in Santa Ana is still there or not? My oldest son was born there in Feb,1958. I took him there on one of my trips and took his picture in front of the hospital. Dr. N. John Thysell was his Dr. Just curious. Loved southern California back then. Went to Newport Beach and Laguna Beach a lot. Lots of good memories

Leslie said...

How well I remember Dr's hospital. All four of my children were born there, and Dr. Thysell was my doctor also.

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The Little Diner at Orange County Airport

Back when John Wayne Airport was still Orange County Airport, the old Eddie Martin Terminal was also a place where people could go just to watch the planes take off and land. There was a diner inside the little terminal that offered people a view of the landing strip.

I remember as a kid in the 1970s I would take flights up to Seattle, and sit inside the terminal watching the planes. In those days, I wanted to become an airline pilot. We would walk out on the runway, and climb the stairs to a waiting AirCal Boeing 737.

I remember in the late 1980s, in last years of the terminal, my girlfriend (now my wife) went there one night just to do that, eat a little something and watch the planes.

The new Thomas F. Riley Terminal has eateries inside too, but because of heightened security, and costly parking fees, airports are no longer a place to marvel the airplanes anymore.

A couple of OCThen readers share their memories of eating inside the old Eddie Martin Terminal, and watching planes take off...

Mr Vintage said...

Does anyone else remember the little diner at Orange County airport back on the early 60s that had a lunch counter and booths? There were many model airplanes hanging from the ceiling and we used to go there just for lunch and to watch the planes. I also remember that there were stables down at the end of the runway where we would go and visit and feed carrots to the the horses in the stalls. Of course all of the area around the airport was mostly grassy rolling fields. It has certainly changed.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I remember the diner! When sitting at the booths you had the best view of the airplanes coming and going. And you walked right out to the planes to board. There were no tunnels to walk thru. Long Beach airport was similar until a few short years ago. Now John Wayne airport is fancy and hectic...but still way better than LAX. (Unless your plane is late and because of the sound curfew (10 or 11pm) you must land at LAX and your friend who is supposed to pick you up is waiting at John Wayne or the taxi you were going to hail to take you 10 minutes to your home now will cost over $100 to deliver you from LAX to OC) Other than that, like the convenience of the new airport!

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The Roller Garden in Garden Grove

Anyone remember skating at the Roller Garden in Garden Grove? It was located on Haster & Garden Grove Blvd, right by the 22 Freeway. I never went there, but drove past it all the time. Since I lived in Santa Ana, I always went to the Skate Ranch, though I also visited an outdoor skating rink at Camelot (Scamalot).

I've seen references to this skating rink being called both Roller Garden and Roller Dome. I'm not sure which was the official name, or if this rink had different names over time. Maybe someone knows the answer to that.

A couple of OCThen readers share their memories of the Roller Garden...

Chris said...

Does anyone remember a steakhouse in Garden Grove or Westminster called Mother, Jugs, Beef and Brew? My friend Kathy Lester used to sing there occasionally. I lost contact with her years ago so if you know of her please let me know.

Also, are there any skaters from Roller Garden in Garden Grove at GG Blvd. and Haster? It's gone now but in the late 60's and early 70's we had a blast on the weekends there.It was such a big part of our lives.

I want to say this is my favorite site. Love reading about all the things I forgot about but it breaks my heart that they're gone forever.

Pat /pismo beach said...

Chris, I remember the Roller Dome skating rink on gg blvd and haster. All of us from that general area would skate there on Friday and Saturday night in the late 50's and 60's. I couldn't wait until I was old enough to stay for the second session starting at 10:30pm. My parents bought my sister Melody the best high top percision skates from their skate store in the office area. Our friend Jody use to sing live sometimes while the owner played an organ up in the attic. We would go to "sock hops" once in awhile and dance in our socks on the rink floor during special times of the year. Remember the snack bar where you could get pizza or a sucide drink ( coke, rootbeer, orange mixed together). That was bad tasting, but we ordered it anyway. The men's bathroom offered black plastic combs from a machine for 10 cents and they would always break when you sat on them. My sis took lessons and entered several skating tournments (doubles) where we would travel to other cities like Bakersfield for competitions. Do remember any names of the people you knew there? Thanks for the post.

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Remembering Pup 'N' Taco

Pup 'N' Taco was one of those "crossover" fastfood joints that came up during the 1950s when fastfood mexican was an experiment. The chain offered hot dogs and tacos.

Wikipedia has some more history on Pup 'N' Taco.

I never liked the place, I seem to recall the french fries being very salty. And at the time, my dad was really into Taco Bell, back when they still had those faux adobe buildings, and the "Bell Beef" (I can't remember exact name) sandwich, which was basically a taco meat sloppy joe.

I remember a Pup 'N' Taco in Santa Ana on the corner of Harbor and Edinger. I think a Taco Bell sits there now.

Anyways, a couple of OCThen readers share their memories of Pup 'N' Taco...

JJohnson said...

One of my vivid childhood are the Pup 'n Taco food chain and Taco Tio food chains. I did a Google search and Wikipedia has some pretty cool links on Pup 'n Taco. You can even get buy retro Pup 'n Taco t-shirts there. Anybody else remember Pup 'n Taco these?

Lee said...

I remember the old Pup 'n Taco commercial jingle, "I'm Pup, he's Pup, I'm Taco!" The animated hot dog and taco would be singing and dancing around on TV. I actually applied for a job at Pup 'n Taco on Westminster Blvd, but instead took a job at the Mobil gas station on Westminster and Beach Blvd.

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Remembering Capistrano Beach Club

Doug offers his memories of Capistrano Beach Club...

Does anyone remember the old Capistrano Beach Club in the 1960's, located at 35001 Beach Road, where the basket ball and other courts are today. This is where the olympic size swimming pool once was. The club was one of William Doheneys mansions back in the early part of the 20th. Century, The building was torn down in about 1970 due to repair needs. My parents belonged to that club and would take my brother and Me there every week during the summer in the early to mid 1960's. They had a wonderful seafood buffet and a band. My parents would dance there and enjoy the evening and my brother and I would explore the beach at night.

The California State Parks has a pamphlet regarding Doheny State Beach which mentions Capistrano Beach Club...

During the 1920s, his son Edward L. (Ned) Doheny, Jr. began development of 1,000 acres in the Capistrano Beach area and built several large residences and three local landmarks: Capistrano Beach Club, a pier and a gazebo. The son died in 1929 in a tragic shooting at the home his father had built for him, the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. The father's health suffered from events of the 1920s, and he died in 1935.

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Robert Schuller's Drive-In Church

I didn't know this, but before Robert Schuller occupied the Crystal Cathedral, he used to lead his congregation at a drive-in movie theater. A couple of OCThen readers share their memories...

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember the old drive-in in Garden Grove where Dr. Schuller used to hold his church services on the roof of the snack bar? When you went into the drive-in you would stop a get one of the speakers for your car. I remember this being back in the late 40's.

Pat / pb said...

Old drive-in-church in Garden Grove. In the 60's we would walk through the orange grove across GG Blvd from where we lived and explore.Somewhere in the middle between gg blvd and chapman we came upon an old drive-in that looked like a ghost town. No signs of life and run down. I was 12 years old and went to Riverdale Elementary School. I think the entrance was off of Luis? Sometime around then and 1966 , Robert Shuller leased or bought the drive-in and turned it into his church. When we were in the 10th grade at Santigo High, we would drive to the church service sometimes on Sunday, grab a speaker for our window and listen and watch Shuller deliver his sermon standing on the roof of the snack bar with a single mike. Smoke and be in church at the same time, at a drive-in during the daytime. What a trip!

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Blue Note Music in Santa Ana

An anonymous OCThen reader submitted the following memory of a favorite little shop in downtown Santa Ana...

After school in 1967 and 68 I sometimes wandered around downtown Santa Ana, "exploring." There was a marvelous place called The Little Shop, which featured an amazingly random collection of items such as used comic books and 10-cent popcorn. There was also a "psych shop" (on Third or Fourth Street I believe) with an excellent blacklight poster room as well as pipes and papers and where one could meet real Hippies as well as the occasional Hell's Angel....

This jogged my memory of a small music store I used to frequent in my high school days called "Blue Note Music" also in downtown Santa Ana. I haven't been in a long time, so I don't know if it's still there. But it was on Broadway and 3rd street. This would have been the early 1980s.

But it sold musical equipment, all acoustic stuff, as well as old sheet music and old LPs. I still have some old 1930s era sheet music framed and hanging from my office wall from that place. The store was always dark inside and smelled like a musty old attic.

I bought a harmonica from that store too.

The guy that used to mind the store was this old guy who seemed like he had seen it all and done it all and was now content to sit inside this little store, with a cup of coffee, and look through the window and watch the world the pass by.

I wonder if there are still stores like this?

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