Postcards, paper, books, maps, Bowers & Newport

Today's image is a postcard, depicting the Newport wharf (a.k.a. Newport Pier) around 1900. If you'd like to see (and buy) interesting historic postcards like this, be sure to check out the Vintage Paper Fair, at the Glendale Civic Auditorium. Feb. 16 & 17. It's sometimes amazing what great stuff you can get for a few bucks. (Note: This is Hal Lutzky's show, which used to be held in Pasadena.)
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The California International Antiquarian Book Fair will be held that same weekend (Feb. 15-17) at the Century Plaza Hotel in West Los Angeles. 250 dealers will have lots of rare books, prints, maps, etc. But be prepared to spend lots of money.
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The Bowers Museum and some of the other museums implicated in the recent federal sting operation, seem to have found a convenient scapegoat: Armand Labbé, Bowers' longtime chief curator. Why is he convenient? Well, it helps that the evidence actually points to his involvement. But it's even more convenient that he's dead. In a recent San Diego Union-Tribune article, Chapman University professor Paul Apodaca quite appropriately expressed "fears that critics will focus on Labbé's role in the scandal rather than the people involved who are still alive."
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The latest development in the Bowers case is the news that they've also been displaying art on loan from convicted smugglers. The story continues to unfold...

Disneyland parking lot

When legendary Disney designer/engineer John Hench first saw Disney's California Adventure, he reportedly said, "I liked it better as a parking lot." As it turns out, he wasn't the only one. In fact, the old Disneyland parking lot had a lot to recommend it. The first half of the lot was designed in 1954, and it was quite innovative for its time. Never before had there been such a concerted, well-choreographed system for parking such a massive sea of vehicles.

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The lot featured trained teams of attendants guiding each car into place, named parking zones, ("I think we're parked in Dumbo,") continuously operating parking trams, ample lighting, and every other element needed to make everything run like clockwork. Like Robert Schuller's Drive-In Church, (just a few miles away,) it was an innovative product of California's burgeoning car culture.

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Historian Jim Sleeper has long joked about doing a book called "Historic Parking Lots of Orange County," but this lot might actually qualify.

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Once again, today's photos come from the Tucker family, via Mike Tucker.

Capistrano, Anaheim High School, and pioneers

Today's photo (again courtesy Mike Tucker,) shows Mission San Juan Capistrano in the 1960s. Someone more familiar with the Mission's recent history could probably tell us the exact year based on the construction in the background. I believe that's Mike's mom in the dark blue coat.
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Anaheim High School's well-worn Cook Auditorium (1936) may get a new lease on life. Eighty-one-year-old alumnus Reggie Massie began a movement to restore the building and started a foundation to raise funds. Other Anaheim alumni on the foundation's board include realtor Paul Kott and former Anaheim mayor (now Orange County Clerk-Recorder) Tom Daly.
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The O.C. Agricultural & Nikkei Heritage Museum will open a new exhibit, “A Determined Lot: Resilient Pioneers Forge a New County’s Future,” on Feb. 16.

Knott's and Villa Park Elementary School

Today's photos of Knott's Berry Farm in the 1960s came to me from my old friend Mike Tucker who created the Anaheim Colony website long ago. The first (top) photo shows Bud Hurlbut's "Antique Auto Ride," which was later re-named "Tijuana Taxi." (For more about this attraction, you'll want to read the comments in a recent related post on Gorilla's Don't Blog.) The second image shows the Burro Ride attraction when the trail still ran past Calico Square. Eventually, the burro rides were moved across Beach Blvd, to the Jungle Island area, until being discontinued entirely.

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A public hearing for the EIR (environmental impact report) for the old Villa Park Elementary School will be held Wednesday, Feb. 13, 7pm, at the school itself: 10551 Center Dr. The two original 1920s Spanish Revival buildings on the campus do not currently meet earthquake codes, and the district wants to tear them down rather than retrofitting them. The school is one of only two sites in Villa Park listed on the national Register of Historic Places, the other being the Smith & Clark Brothers Ranch (1880s) off Santiago Blvd.

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However, locals have banded together to offer an alternative plan: Retrofit, update the interiors, and reuse the space as a library, a performing arts classroom, a computer lab, and other learning facilities. Preliminary plans have already been prepared by an architect, but the Orange Unified School District must be dissuaded from tearing everything down. The following website has some additional information and photos, but is quite out of date: Link

Milford Zornes, Port Theater, Bowers & Orange

Yesterday was the 100th birthday of the last of the original great California School watercolor painters: Milford Zornes. He celebrated by doing a demonstration before a live audience -- creating a scene (from memory) of the Laguna Beach coastline. In fact, Zornes taught his craft in what amounted to a two hour workshop before the paints were finally put away and the birthday cake was brought out. In the first photo (top) Zornes paints and describes the spot just below the bluffs adjacent to the Laguna Art Museum. The second photo shows (L to R) me, Zornes, and noted artist Henry Fukahara. (Many thanks to the Schroeders for bringing me along on this adventure!)
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It looks like Newport Beach's once-doomed Port Theater has been spared, thanks to public outcry. Read about it in the Register.

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The Register also features an update on the post-raid situation at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.

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The History Center at Orange Public Library hasn’t yet replaced Rosemarie Williams, who retired at the end of December. Consequently, they have been forced to reduce their hours. For current hours, please see their website.

Anaheim Plaza, El Camino Real, Maag House, etc.

Today's photo shows Anaheim Plaza at Euclid Ave and the 5 Freeway in Anaheim, around 1960. Notice how the train tracks parallel the freeway. It's interesting how each new mode of transportation often just follows the trail of the old. In this case, the stage coach road followed the line of the old El Camino Real. In turn, the train followed the path of the stage road. Eventually the State Highway paralleled the train tracks. And finally, the highway was mostly overlaid by the 5 Freeway. No, you're not stuck in traffic -- You're visiting a historic trail!
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Joyce Chapman, Frank Chapman’s granddaughter, continues to donate materials to Chapman University's Leatherby Library. Donated artifacts from the family include Charles Chapman’s first wife’s wedding ensemble, dolls, and a diary of Ethel Chapman Wickett.
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The Centennial Heritage Museum in Santa Ana has a new board, and they've brought with them a renewed interest in raising the funds to restore the Maag House. The house was moved to it's current site on the museum grounds in 1981. I remember walking around inside it when I worked at the museum (in the 1990s) and thinking how much potential the old place had.

Raiders of Thailand, etc.

"Federal agents raid Bowers Museum for smuggled antiquities." (O.C. Register)
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For really interesting reading, also see the search warrant (PDF). This is all shocking, but not entirely a surprise.
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Also see more in the L.A. Times, on the Orange Juice Blog, and in video coverage on KABC-TV.
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Oddly enough, before this story broke I was going to write that Bowers' blog has a feature on O.C.'s pre-historic cogstones. But clearly, this is bigger news.

Huntington Beach, OCMAHS calendars, Tustin, etc

Today's "before and after" photos were taken near the base of the Huntington Beach Pier. In the distance, you can see the intersection of Main St. and Pacific Coast Highway (formerly known in H.B. as Ocean Ave.) The first photo was taken around 1910 and prominently displays a special "Huntington Beach Excursion" car on the Pacific Electric line. I took the second photo in 2007, and tried to match the angle as best I could.

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As you can see, very little remains of the 1910 landscape. However, you can still see a corner of the old Huntington Beach Co. office building (circa 1905) on the left edge of the frame. Today, its most prominent tenant is El Don Liquor. This building also once served as the City's first movie theater.

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Tuesday's Register included a feature on the O.C. Mexican American Historical Society's annual calendar. These are always pretty cool.

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Also in the news, a 1915 garage in Old Town Tustin has found a new life as a BBQ restaurant. Three cheers for adaptive reuse!

Mystery tikis, Logan Barrio, Register & Mary Garcia

Today may be the first in an occasionally recurring "Mystery Photo" series -- assuming there's any interest. The photo comes from the O.C. Archives and was shot by an employee of the O.C. Planning Dept. in Nov. 1961. Unfortunately, I don't know the location of this outstanding tiki-themed apartment complex. There were many one-story faux-Polynesian complexes in Southern California in those days, which makes it tricky to pinpoint. My first thought was The Islander Apartments, at the northern edge of Santa Ana -- but it's really not a perfect match. The odds are good that it's in O.C., but even that's not 100% certain. Please post a comment if you recognize the tikis or the buildings, or if you have any other clues to share.

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Today's image is also an excellent excuse to dwell on what Sven Kirsten calls "Polynesian Pop." I love this stuff, and once even created a small website dedicated to it. Interestingly, the tikis in the photo above each serve a purpose: The first holds a torch, which undoubtedly lit up with a gas-fed flame at night; and the second seems to hold a map or directory of the complex.

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On an unrelated note, yesterday's Register featured an article about the past, present and future of Santa Ana's Logan Barrio. Local historian Mary Garcia and her new book about Logan's history are prominently featured. Once again, good job, Mary!

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Speaking of the Register, I'm disappointed to hear that they're breaking their local coverage into six separate regions. Under the new system, my morning paper won't include most of the news I'm interested in. Some of us care about Orange County -- not just the little corner of it we happen to live in.

Buena Park, Dean Dixon and alligators

Today's photo shows the California Alligator Farm in Buena Park, around 1955. Opened in Lincoln Heights in 1907, and moved next to Knott's Berry Farm in 1953, the Alligator Farm finally closed its doors forever in 1984. Insert your own handbag jokes here, folks.
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Speaking of Buena Park, Dean Dixon was recently named the new curator of the Buena Park Historical Society. Mr. Dixon has been involved in local history since at least the 1970s, and is well-respected in the field. Dixon will replace Jane Mueller, who is retiring.

Santa Ana, Knotts' house, Dana Point, tile, etc.

Here's another set of "before and after" photos -- This time of the northwest corner of Broadway and Santa Ana Blvd, in Santa Ana. The 1925 photo shows the First Christian Church, while the modern photo shows the Orange County Hall of Administration. The County Supervisors have their offices on the fifth floor of this building.

Want to go backstage at Knott's Berry Farm to see what remains of the old Knott family home? Apparently, an employee posted some footage of the building's exterior on YouTube. He also posted video of the interior, which is now an employee break room. Unfortunately, this movie wasn't shot to show us the interior -- it was shot to show us two knucklehead teenagers goofing around. Oh well.

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The City of Dana Point's Planning Commission recently approved two more homes for inclusion on the City's Historic Local Register. It's estimated that 75 buildings in town are eligible for the register, but only 21 are currently listed. Of those 21, about 16 have been approved for (or are awaiting approval for) inclusion in the Mills Act property tax abatement program.

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The Dana Point Historical Society's annual meeting will be held Jan. 23, 7pm, at the Dana Point Tennis Center, 24911 Calle De Tenis. Brian Kaiser will present a slideshow and talk about vintage ceramic tile in California homes. He will discuss such tile manufacturers as Calco, Malibu Potteries, and tilemaker Rufus B. Keeler. For more information about the meeting, send email or call (949) 248-8121.

W. O. Hart Park, Orange

Today's image is a postcard depicting W.O. Hart Park around 1950. If you don't count the Plaza, Hart Park was the City of Orange's first park. Originally called Orange City Park, it was created in the 1930s by the City, working in conjunction with the State Emergency Relief Agency (SERA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). It was renamed in 1964 for longtime Orange Daily News editor William O. Hart.
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In his book Orange: The City 'Round the Plaza, Phil Brigandi writes, "In 1927 the Chamber of Commerce led a major push to build a city park in Orange, but the proposed bond issue was defeated by local voters. In 1933, the city took up the challenge, acquiring 17 acres along the Santiago Creek east of Glassell Street."
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After some serious cleanup of the area, construction began in 1935. Phil continues, "The biggest project was channeling the Santiago Creek. Arroyo stone retaining walls were built by hand on both sides of the creek . The Orange Plunge was built jointly by the city and the WPA in 1935-1936 and was officially dedicated along with the rest of the park on May 1, 1937. A year later, the bandshell was added west of the Plunge and in 1949 the National Guard Armory was built at the East end of the park."
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Even before the park was completed, it became the home of the Orange Lionettes, a celebrated women's softball team organized in 1936 by the Orange Lions Club. Phil quotes the team's first manager and coach, Carl Schroeder: "I put the team together,... by going out and calling on young girls. My wife didn't much care for that."
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The world has an odd way of bringing threads together. Case in point: When screaming kids drove Phil Brigandi and I out of Del Taco at lunch on Wednesday, we went up the street and ate our tacos at Hart Park. Then today, out of the blue, Cynthia Ward asked if I'd post some historical info on Hart Park. And as for Carl Schroeder's somewhat skeptical wife,... I'm planning to have lunch with her (although not at Hart Park) in a week or two.

Knott's, the Yorbas, Orange, Alfred Aguirre, etc.

Today's "before & after" photos show Main St. in Ghost Town at Knott's Berry Farm in 1941 and 2007. In the 1941 photo, notice that Goldie's Place (far right), and the Print Shop (behind the mule) are still under construction. Also note the dirt streets and the lack of trees. In the 2007 photo, notice that the Silver Dollar Saloon (which pre-dated the Calico Saloon by a decade) has been turned into a shooting gallery. If you visit Knott's, look inside the shooting gallery and you'll see many reminders of its earlier incarnation, including a sign that reads, "All Nations Welcome, Except Carrie."

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The pioneer Yorba family was inducted into the Anaheim/O.C. Walk of Stars, located next to Disneyland. That certainly seems appropriate. The Walk of Stars has also been attracting some attention lately for the flowers and other items left on Carl Karcher's star.

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It looks like Phil Brigandi's upcoming talk in Orange on the 24th is getting some press.

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There's also been a lot of coverage of the death of Alfred Aguirre of Placentia, who fought for desegregation, served in WWII, and was a city councilmember.
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The Nixon Library is looking for volunteer docents to greet guests, conduct tours, escort VIPs and more. For more information call (714) 364-1168 or email docent@nixonlibrary.org.

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Andrea McCullough -- who does major background research for Orange's historical home tours -- appeared in yesterday's Register. It turns out she also volunteers to help maintain Hart Park's 69-year-old rose garden.

Newport, trains, O.C. Historical Commission, etc.

Today's photo was taken Aug. 20, 1890, at the Santa Ana River near Newport Beach. James and Robert McFadden (with contractor Joseph Bright on the left) are watching their Santa Ana Rail Road being built. Once completed, the line brought frieght from the landing at Newport Beach into Santa Ana. Today, Hoag Hospital sits on the hill behind the pile driver. (Some background info from Donaldson & Myer's excellent book, Rails Through the Orange Groves, Vol. 1)
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There are currently two vacancies on the Orange County Historical Commission: One in the 5th Supervisorial District and another in the 3rd. The new opening in the 5th is to replace Don Tryon of San Juan Capistrano.

Several people have sent me links to this article about preservation and the fate of an old Mid-Century Modern coffee shop in Seattle. Although non-O.C., I present this story to you in the spirit of "learning from others." Besides, you preservationists out there will love the irony.
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Today in O.C. History: On Jan. 15, 1859, the Los Angeles Vinyard Society selected a name for their new colony: Anaheim. The name combines "Ana" (from the nearby river), and "Heim," which means "home" in German.

The man with the badge retires

No, I'm not writing about Sheriff Mike Carona. In this case, the man with the badge is Marshall Max Lee Barlow, who's been a fixture in Knott's Berry Farm's Ghost Town for well over 30 years. For many years, he was also the manager of Ghost Town. He also served as an unofficial historian -- learning all he could about the history of "the Farm" and then passing it along to his employees and others.
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I was lucky enough to spend a few afternoons talking with Max and picking his brain. I came away knowing a lot more about Knott's as well as appreciating the man himself. He's clearly a straight-shooter who expects the same from others.
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The last time I was at Knott's someone told me that Max had retired, but that he still visits now and then. I wish him all the best and very much hope that our trails cross again.
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Today's photo shows Marshall Max with longtime Knott's personality Chief Redfeather (aka Jim Brady) in about 1980. Notice that only the Parachute Jump ride (now gone) broke the illusion of being in an old mining town. My thanks to Max for letting me scan this and other photos from his collection.
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On an unrelated note, I also wanted to update the story about Carl Karcher's death with a link to a site full of memories and comments about him. Feel free to add your own.

Garden Grove, Diann Marsh, Carl Karcher, etc.

Today's "before and after" photos come with a little story. In May 2006, Phil Brigandi and I found this first image (top) in a collection of County Planning Dept photos at the O.C. Archives. We knew it was taken in the 1960s, but couldn't tell where it was shot. Armed with a copy of the photo, local historian (and County Historical Commission member) Don Dobmeier did some detective work and returned to us promptly with the second photo, which he took himself. As it turns out, the photo(s) depict a section of Artcraft Ave, in Garden Grove. It's part of a housing tract that was built in the mid-1950s.

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The word is out that local historian, architecture expert and author Diann Marsh will return for a visit to O.C. late next month. The Anaheim Historical Society plans to line her up as a speaker while she's in town. Diann moved out of state some years ago, and I'm really looking forward to getting a chance to meet her. I refer to her books constantly.

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As we'd feared, Carl Karcher, founder of Carl's Jr. and prominent Anaheim citizen, died on Friday at age 90. See the Register's coverage for details.

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Also, Wade Sampson has posted a tribute to Disney Imagineer Joyce Carlson, who passed away earlier this month. Carlson was especially noted for her work on it's a small world, and for her talents in the use of color.

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Finally, I wanted to point out there there were some interesting follow-ups to yesterday's post about the First National Bank of Orange. Be sure to check them out.

Orange, "Then & Now", Steve Martin & Carl Karcher

Today's photo shows the First National Bank of Orange at Chapman Ave and Glassell in Downtown Orange in the 1940s. Thankfully, it's still standing today -- But would you believe there's now a Starbucks inside?
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Yes, I will be posting more before and after photos in the near future, but obviously not today. In the meantime, get your "then and now" photo fix at reader walterworld's blog. He specializes in pictures of California roadside architecture, including quite a few vintage Orange County motels.
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Dave at Daveland has posted some amazing color shots of a young Steve Martin performing in "Our American Cousin" at the Bird Cage Theatre (at Knott's Berry Farm) in 1965. I like that in one photo Martin has clearly missed a barrage of arrows, but *does* have a hatchet stuck in his head.
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The Register is reporting that Carl Karcher - one of the great businessmen of O.C. history - is in critical condition with pneumonia. Say a little prayer for him before you tuck into your Famous Star burger today at lunch.
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Thanks to everyone who came out to the OCHS meeting for Phil's presentation last night. I love being able to look around a whole room full of people like that I realize that most everyone is a friend of mine. There is definitely and literally a historical community here in Orange County.

4th St & Sycamore, Santa Ana: 1933 & 2006

At the request of new reader walterworld, here's a pair of before and after photos. They both show the corner of 4th Street and Sycamore in Santa Ana. The first was taken soon after the the big earthquake of 1933. Note the scaffolding, boarded windows and repairwork. I took the second photo in May 2006. The facades that were replaced after the quake still have a distinctly 1930s look to them.

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Jay Jennings, (who posted the Knott's videos I linked to earlier,) now has a blog where he posts bits of Knott's Berry Farm ephemera from his collection.

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Thanks to reader bulldog 24, for answering my question about the mysterious orb in yesterday's photo. Turns out it was probably a propane tank.

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See you all at the O.C. Historical Society meeting tonight?

Fullerton Market Basket, mystery ball & Wes Clark

Today's image shows the Market Basket grocery store at Commonwealth and Nicholas Ave in Fullerton, around 1957. I had trouble identifying the location. Can you figure out why I had trouble finding Nicholas Ave in Fullerton? In any case, you can see that the big basket-weave sign is being painted.
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I'm still confused about the big silver sphere in the background ( just above the green car's trunk). Is it a radar unit for a Nike Missile installation, (as I first guessed,) is it a fuel tank, (as Phil suggests,) or is it something else entirely? It doesn't appear in aerial photos of the area from 1955 or 1959. A very similar tank appears in the 1955 aerial, but it's probably half a mile farther away, near the railroad tracks.
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While only featuring O.C. peripherally, anyone who grew up in 1960/70s Southern California can enjoy Wes Clark's "Avocado Memories" website. Mr. Clark thoroughly documents his childhood in suburbia, and takes us all along for a trip back through time.
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I stumbled across an online tutorial on "Deciphering Old Handwriting" by Sabina Murray. Perhaps some of you will find this useful or at least interesting.

Magic Lamp, O.C. history classes, & SoCal maps

Today's images show the Magic Lamp Motel, across from Disneyland, at 1030 W. Katella Ave. It was just one of the innumerable colorful Anaheim businesses which, in the 1990s, fell victim to "the beiging of America." Whatever stands in its place today is utterly un-noticable and un-memorable. A 20-foot tall glowing genie, on the other hand, was very memorable.

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Once again, Diane Ryan is offering her History of Orange County class through Coastline Community College. She writes, "Come learn about Orange County history, including such topics as the early occupants of this territory, Spanish and Mexican influences, and the development of some of our cities. There will be some new topics and fieldtrips for those who have already taken it."

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This class will be offered at two locations:

1) Oasis Senior Center, Corona del Mar, Thu. 1:30-3:30pm, Jan 31 to May 8 (SocS 400, 91677)

2) Leisure World, Seal Beach, Tue. 1:30-3:30, from Jan 29 to May 6 (SocS 400, 91848)

For more information on these classes and/or how to register, email the instructor at or leave a message at (714) 546-7600 ex. 11468. Too bad the classes are on weekdays, or I'd sign up myself.

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The Library of Congress/Ira Gershwin Gallery now features an exhibit of historical maps of Los Angeles. Why does this concern us? Because some of the maps feature all or much of Southern California -- not just L.A. The Ira Gerhwin gallery is housed in the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown L.A., but you can see many of the featured maps in digital form online.

Del Taco, Orange Community Hist. Soc, trains, etc.

Okay,... So this postcard is hardly serious history. But after four entries about the preservation of a single sign, I figure we all need a little breather to lighten the mood.

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The postcard image above shows Del Taco #9, at 2320 E. 4th St., in Santa Ana, as it appeared on its grand opening in Dec. 1969. (How did they get the giant taco and Del Burger to float over their restaurant?) Gotta love those 49-cent tacos and crinkle-cut fries!

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Del Taco fan, local historian, and County Archivist Phil Brigandi will be the speaker at the Orange Community Historical Society at their Annual Dinner on Jan. 24th, 6pm at the Turnip Rose. This event will mark the group's 35th anniversary, and Phil's talk will be a look back at the history of OCHS's many "Projects & Personalities." Hopefully, the Society will update their website soon with more details.

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Speaking of annual dinners, more information about the Costa Mesa Historical Society's Annual Dinner, Jan. 19, is now available online.

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The winter edition of Hot Rail, the newsletter of the Fullerton Railway Plaza Assn and the So Cal Scenic Railway Assn is now available online as a PDF.

Yet another Orange Lock & Key update

Meanwhile, back at 177 N Glassell,... The photos above show the current state of the signage. Note that the "H.G. Lembcke & Son" sign is actually off to one side.

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Phil Brigandi writes, "There were any number of grocery stores on that corner, beginning around 1930. It was the North End Grocery in the late 1940s -- a possible candidate for the ["Grocery"] sign. H.G. Lembcke & Son were contractors and roofers. They were at 175 N. Glassell from 1934 until about 1939. H.G. was Herman Lembcke; the "& Son" was Hugo, a classmate of Don Meadows (I met him once)."

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"...Mike Eltiste owned [the building] for more than 20 years before selling it in 1944. During those years, it was sometimes counted as part of the Eltiste Block. (Properly, the Eltiste Block is the adjoining building to the south [161-73 N. Glassell] that Mike built in 1924)."

Another Sens Market/Orange Lock & Key update

It sounds like most of Downtown Orange and City Hall is now involved or at least alerted to the situation at Orange Lock & Key -- A situation which has now taken several more twists and turns...

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Before the paint-scraping could be stopped today, two more signs were revealed beneath the "Sens Market" sign. First, they came to a sign that simply read, "Grocery." But under the "Grocery" sign they found yet another sign that read "H.G. Lembcke & Son." (I'll post a photo of that sign here soon.)

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I'm going to guess that "H.G. Lembcke" may be Hermann Gustav John Lembcke (1861-1948). But I will post more solid information about the Lembckes and the building if and when it comes my way. (The photo above shows the building in about 1927.)

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Unfortunately, the work crews weren't too gentle or careful about removing the Sens sign, and they even used paint remover -- So let's hope the signs underneath aren't too badly damaged.

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Many thanks to the lovely and resourceful Katie Schroeder, who spotted what was going on, took photos, and reported to both the historical community and to City authorities. If anything is preserved at this location, it will be because of Katie. Had she not acted, there would only be bare brick remaining by now -- And Orange would be the poorer for it.

Sens Market update

It looks like the alarm has been raised, and the general contractor was down at the site this morning. As of right now the scraping of the sign has been suspended. The last I heard, the City Manager was also on his way to check out the situation.
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Orange historian Phil Brigandi writes, “Paul Sens had a grocery store there on the corner just before Wally Zirkle; he is listed in the directories for 1951 and '52.”
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So the sign isn’t as old as we thought, but it’s still more than 50 years old, which qualifies it as historic by most standards. In any case, research and documentation should have been done PRIOR to any decisions being made about the sign. At best, short-circuiting the process is a way to make yourself very unpopular in a town like Orange.
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Further fleshing out the story, Phil notes, “When Wally died this past year, his obituary said he was in there [until] 1961. Orange Lock & Key moved there from across the street in 1966… I still lack documentation for the 1914 [construction] date."

The Assessor's records date the building's construction at 1912. But these records - in any town - are often "off" by a couple years.

A loss for Old Town Orange

177 N Glassell St., Orange (1914): The first photo was taken last night, as the sign was being uncovered. The second photo was taken this afternoon, after a work crew (under orders) scraped as much of the sign off as they could. Here's the story so far...

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After decades at the corner of Maple and Glassell, Orange Lock & Key is finally moving. Yesterday, in preparation for the new tenant, the stucco was removed from the facade, exposing the old brickwork and sign beneath. The sign -- clear as day -- read, "Sens Market."

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The City and probably both historical groups in Orange should have been contacted about this, and the sign definitely should have been preserved. There has been a significant, on-going, sign preservation effort going on downtown in recent years.

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Instead, this afternoon the work crew scraped off as much of the sign as they could.

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As one local wrote to me,..."This sign most likely pre-dates 'Wally's Market'... It's just sickening to see what they did in less than 24hrs..."

Disneyland history roundup

Today's photos both come from the UCLA Library's impressive collection of L.A. Times photos. The first shows Walt Disney in 1966, posing with the heads of figures being prepared for the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland. (Sadly, Walt didn't live to see the opening of this ride.)

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The second photo shows Vice President (and Yorba Linda native) Richard Nixon, meeting "Mr. and Mrs. Tomorrowland" at Disneyland on June 14, 1959. That same day, the Nixon family innagurated the first Disneyland Monorail.

Now that the new Mark VII Monorails have appeared at Disneyland, I wonder what will happen to the old ones? Sold to a Las Vegas hotel? Sent to Florida to become spare parts? Auctioned off on eBay?

Disneyland history fans: If you plan to be in San Francisco soon, you might want to check out the Mary Blair exhibit at the Cartoon Art Museum. Her most famous design in the park is It's A Small World, which bears the mark of her unmistakable style both inside and out.

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Also, there's a rumor that the Disney Gallery reopen at Disneyland, in or near the lobby of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. It would be great to see the Gallery return, as it was an opportunity for fans to see art by many of Disney's best talents. But I hope this move doesn't come at the expense of either the Lincoln attraction (which premiered at the 1964 N.Y. World's Fair) or the old Walt Disney Story exhibit (which I sort of assumed would return after the 50th Anniversary display was removed).

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I finally got around to watching the new 2-DVD set, "Disneyland: Secrets, Stories & Magic," and I can definitely recommend it. Although I would have liked more depth and less happy-talk, at least they interviewed to most of the right people. The segments covering the early history of the park are particularly interesting. The best feature, however, is hidden among the "Bonus Features" on the second disc: Disneyland's lead Imagineer Tony Baxter narrates extensive rare color footage of the park's construction in 1954 and 1955.

Newport Harbor, Farrell's, Ancestry and the Earps

Today's images both depict Newport Harbor in 1930. The first is from a Balboa Times supplement. Note how much empty space is still available -- both in Corona Del Mar and on the end of the Balboa Peninsula. Clearly, there's already a lot of activity on Balboa Island.

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OCThen now has a thread of misty, watercolor memories of Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor.

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Ancestry.com is once again available to researchers at the Orange Family History Center (LDS). I can't begin tell you how cool Ancestry.com is if you haven't used it. For anyone researching genealogy or history, it's an indespensible tool.

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The O.C. Historical Society's website features a number of interesting articles, including a short piece by Terry Stephenson about "The Earps in Temescal." (Yes, that's the same Earp family as Wyatt Earp.)

Costa Mesa memories, Knott's, Buena Park, etc.

Today's photos show three of Costa Mesa's defunct entertainment hubs. The first image shows the Paulo Drive-In Theater on Paularino Ave, in 1954. The second, (an undated image provided by Tom Pulley) shows the Harbor Roller Rink, at 17th & Newport Blvd. And the third shows the final night of bowling at Kona Lanes on Harbor Blvd., in 2002. (Noted tiki-carver Crazy Al Evans is crouching on the right.)
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Local historian and County Archivist Phil Brigandi will give a lecture (with slides) at the Jan. 10, meeting of the O.C. Historical Society. The program, entitled "Breaking New Ground: The Early Years of Knott's Berry Farm," will begin at 7:30 pm, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2400 N. Canal St., Orange.

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The Buena Park Historical Society will hold their annual installation dinner at the historic Stage Stop Hotel, 6601 Beach Blvd, Jan. 28, at 6pm. Jon Wagner will discuss the Fox Fullerton Theater, and Glenn Frank will offer an update on the Dreger Clock restoration project. For more information, call Gail Dixon, (714) 521-0261.The event is $16 per person, with reservations required by Jan. 22. Mail reservations and checks payable to Buena Park Historical Society, 6601 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621

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Amigos de la Colina will hold volunteer training for docents at Heritage Hill Historical Park in El Toro, Jan. 19th, 8:30am-3:30pm. For more information, call (949) 855-2028.

A new year, Laguna Beach, Nixon, Costa Mesa, etc

The beach has always seemed like a great place to greet the new year. Today's image, from 1959, shows a man from the County Planning Dept near the mouth of Aliso Creek in Laguna Beach. Is he sizing up where to put the pier, or is he just pausing to appreciate how much nicer this is than his office back in Santa Ana?
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The City of Anaheim closed out it's 150th Birthday celebration this morning with it's snazzy float entry in the Rose Parade. It won the Governor's Award.
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Fountain Valley wrapped up it's 50th Anniversary with a time capsule. Click here for information about the capsule and its contents.
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The Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda will recognize the late President's 95th birthday on Jan. 9th with a wreath-laying ceremony (1pm), a lecture by Senator Alan K. Simpson (1:30pm), and free admission for all guests throughout the day.
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The Costa Mesa Historical Society's annual installation dinner will be held Jan. 16, 6pm, at the Captain's Table Restaurant at Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Rd. Reservations ($15 per person) must be received by Jan. 14. Mail reservations and checks to CMHS, P.O. Box 1764, Costa Mesa, CA 92628.
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Happy 2008, everyone!