Monday, April 14, 2008

Prospect Plaza, Sea Monkeys, Orange, SJC, etc.

Today's photos show Prospect Plaza, at Chapman & Prospect in Orange, around May of 1966. The top photo is particularly large, so "click to enlarge" with the knowledge that it may take a while. I wanted to squeeze in as much detail as possible, which is why I also added the inset larger version of the sign. (Is it just me, or is the top of the sign reminiscent of those old ads for "Sea Monkeys?")
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The Orange Unified School District had decided to put the old Villa Park Elementary School buildings (the two oldest buildings in the city) up for sale. But the owner will be required to move the buildings -- which probably means they'll have to leave town. At least they're no longer planning to demolish them outright. Read more about it in today's Register.
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Today's Register also covers the ongoing debate over proposed changes to San Juan Capistrano's historic downtown.
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The LDS will host a Family History Fair at their Orange Family History Center on April 26, 8am-5pm. For details, visit their website. If you want go, you'll need to sign up by Wednesday.
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On this day, in 1908, the Orange Daily News began publication.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Chris for sharing all of these wonderful photos of historical places. You have an outstanding web site. I was wondering, out of curiousity, if you have any good quality photos of the old Shore Shop clothing store building in Seal Beach? It was located at 321 Seal Beach Boulevard before it was demolished sometime around 1999.

Anonymous said...

I'm fascinated by retail history and have never heard of Michael's Market. Does anyone know if this was a local chain? Was this the only location? Did it become something else? What is it now?
Thanks for posting this!

Chris Jepsen said...

I have not seen any photos of the Shore Shop building. I'll try to keep an eye out.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the response, it would be terrific if you found a photo of the old Shore Shop building and posted it. I have a feeling that some people around the Seal Beach area photographed it before it was torn down, probably some individuals, who like yourself, are long-time Orange County residents interested in historical preservation.

Chris Jepsen said...

I think the only now-demolished buildings on Seal Beach Blvd I've photographed are the Rossmoor Lanes bowling alley, and of course The Parasol Coffee Shop.

I did, however, find a reference online to Shore Shop Inc. (same company name as the one in Seal Beach), at 14443 Culver Dr, Irvine, CA 92604. Phone:(949) 733-2700.

If it's the same business, maybe they'd have photos for you.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for that information, I'll have to check into that business in Irvine which has the same name. Loved the design of that old building with the dark wood with the views of the ocean from the outside. I haven't lived in Orange County in 20 years, but have many fond memories of the Shore Shop and other places.

Anonymous said...

For anonymous #2, yes, Michaels Market must have been a chain supermarket as there once was another on Palm Drive and Valencia in Placentia. Torn down years ago for more homes.

Anonymous said...

There was also a Michael's in Lido, in Newport Beach.

Evan said...

Is the Michael's Market building currently occupied by Blockbuster Video? Looking at the 1972 view of Prospect Plaza on HistoricalAerials.com, the same buildings are there now that were there then, with obvious remodels. Just wondering if I'm looking at the same shopping center. Awesome site, by the way!

JFS in IL said...

That is MY Michael's (the top photo) it was across the street from Schaffer park. We lived on Chestnut and my mom took us there all the time to shop in the 60's. I remember the drug store, too.

John Gezelius said...

The Michaels Market shown was at Chapman and Prospect. It was most recently the Blockbuster store. The buildings in that strip mall are the same; the ones on the west side are original (pre-'62) and the buildings east of the market were added mid-sixties. Michael's was a local chain with 8 or maybe 10 stores. Behind the stand of eucalyptus trees in the back there now stands a long term care facility.

Anonymous said...

Morrison Drugs was next to Michaels... I went to school with the son Carter Morrison. I remember going to see Sand Pepples Movie, Staring Steve McQueen, at about age 12 years old with Carter. Owner Of Morrison Drugs Died young. My mother was best friend with his wife and Carter's mom