George Key Ranch, Placentia

Anonymous recalls running through George Key Ranch in Placentia while it was still owned by him...

Mr. Key's garden, Placentia early 1960's. I recall getting "caught" while running around in his large garden with it's massive trees and little dirt trails leading in many different directions. He was very nice to us, telling us we could play in his garden, but that we needed to stay on the dirt trails. Placentia was just starting to build new tract homes nearby. I found a website about the house and gardens. It's now part of the O.C.Parks Dpt. at 625 N. Bastanchury Rd.

There's a lot more to read about George Key Ranch here..
http://www.goodtime.net/pla/lcpla019.htm

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Gabrielli's Deli & Gilligan's Island Liquor

Janel asks if anyone remembers Gabrielli's Deli or Gilligan's Island Liquor in Placentia...

I grew up in Placentia in the early 1980's. Does anyone remember Gabrielli's Deli and Gilligan's Island liquor store located in the Toy City plaza at the corner of Palm and Valencia? I attended El Dorado High School and worked at the deli during my High School years. A lot of great memories and friend from those days!!

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Placentia, CA in the 1970s

OCThen reader Lou grew up in Placentia during the 1970s and remembers the Chicano Power riots, the Fender guitar factory in Fullerton, and little league games...

I was born in Orange and grew up in Placentia (1964 - 1989). I have memories of the police and National Guard marching down La Jolla Street (one of the older OC barrios) in the 70's during the Chicano Power riots. It was chaos and I remember all the tear gas and crazy people. My best memories were the Little League games played at Valencia HS and Placentia parks. I remember the old Knott's Berry Farm too. We used to go there and get on the train ride in the free park that they used to have across the street Knott's Berry Farm. I remember the monkey zoo off of Raymond too. My mom used to work for Leo Fender in Fullerton. I remember going to a lot of cool 70's concerts at the Fender factory. The 70's in Placentia were NEVER boring. So much crazy stuff, music, and so much to do! It was cool growing up in OC in the 70's and 80'!!! Lou

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