Random California
It's time for more random California views on today's "Anything Goes" Saturday.
In the 1920's, a lake in the San Berardino mountains then known as "Little Bear Lake" was renamed "Lake Arrowhead", and developers built a town that was intended to evoke the charm of an old European village - like one might find in Switzerland or Austria. Among those buildings was this cute little post office (photo is circa 1959). When I tried to find a photo of how it looks today, I was surprised to find out that the local fire departments of San Bernardino County deliberately burned the village (with the exception of the "Casino") to the ground in April, 1979 because of deterioration. Dry rot? Termites? Hippies? New buildings replaced the old ones, of course, but it's just not the same.
Some of you may recognize this family (or at least the boy's t-shirt)… they have popped up on this blog several times over the years, including the very first post back in May, 2006. You can also see them here and here, and probably a few other times as well. Anyway, I like this photo from Santa Catalina, one of the larger (but not the largest) of California's Channel Islands. At only 20-some miles from San Pedro harbor, it is a popular destination for a day trip or weekend getaway. In this photo, mom and her two kids are joined by Grandma on that cool little red (electric powered?) three-wheeled runabout.
I have very little information about this picture, except that it is from 1960 and shows a small restaurant ("Grethels Cafe") in Victorville; It is only about 20 miles north of Lake Arrowhead, but instead of tree-covered mountains, Victorville is at the edge of the Mojave Desert. In other words, it is hot. I even tried to use "Bud's Garage" as a clue (see the sign to the right), and found mentions of it, but no address, so I was unable to get a "then and now" picture. Still, I love the "out in the middle of nowhere" feeling of this photo!
12 comments:
Major-
Fine images, all. The first one featuring either a 1958 or 1959 Ford Thunderbird. That picture was probably taken about the same time my family visited Lake Arrowhead
And yes, that's a Marketeer Electric "Personnel Car" model, most-likely, at Catalina Island.
Thanks, Major.
The Edge of the Mojave Desert is marked by a sign that says HELL in red letters… interesting.
Didn't know any of that about "Little Bear." Yes kids, there's educational value here as well.
Oh I remember seeing that family before here! From Disneyland to Catalina in short order from the looks of it. "26 Miles across the sea..." You've heard the Four Preps song? If that photo is 1958, as it seems to be, that song may even be partly responsible for that photos existence, being a big hit at the time.
"Middle of nowhere" feel is right for that bottom pic. But I like it too. Boy there's a "greasy spoon" cafe for you, possibly grease from Bud's Arage next door at that...
According to the official Lake Arrowhead Village web page, the post office was one of the buildings NOT burned down. I would imagine because the US Postal Service spent money to maintain the building over the years. Spent many a summer staying at a cabin in Twin Peaks, near Blue Jay.
Nanook, I wonder if Catalina encouraged the use of electric vehicles even way back then?
Anon, I have postcards from the town called Hell, they have a little post office where you can have your letters postmarked.
Chiana Chat, you could be right about the song being an inspiration, though this family lived in SoCal, and went to a lot of places - Knott's, Disneyland, Santa's Village, Busch Gardens, etc. I think this slide might actually pre-date 1958, though I can't say for sure.
CoxPilot, I saw that website, along with another website that said that only one building survived. Who to believe?? After looking and looking for any evidence that the little post office was still there, I came to the conclusion that it must be gone. People take pictures of EVERYTHING these days! Maybe I'm wrong though.
Very cool electric car.
Love that Catalina pic. Strolling around Avalon today always gives me the feeling of being in Los Angeles back in the 1920s or 30s. A stroll to the Casino at twilight reinforces this time machine experience.
Yes, Catalina is a throwback. Direct-dial telephones didn't appear on the island until 1978-! Up until then, the phone system required switchboards and operators. "Number, please-!"
My daughter's boyfriend has lived in Lake Arrowhead most of his life. When he comes down tomorrow I will show him this post and ask about the Post Office.
That Shell sign is sweet. The guys from "American Pickers" would go nuts over it, as would have my late Grandpa.
And noplace is ever lonely when you've got Photoshop.
Major, some tiny, underused part of my memory tells me that conventional vehicles were not allowed outside Avalon city limits (roughly one square mile) in that era. Or maybe it was the other way around... anyway golf carts were common transport.
I can't confirm if that has changed or not. The interior of the island is a wildlife preserve with limited access. Not sure if it's private land or govt, but getting inland took some special permission, which was not always forthcoming.
That picture looks like it might have been taken outside the city, but I can't confirm it.
Cool pics, especially the Victorville shot. I love places like that, as long as I'm just passing through. Having to stay would be another discussion.
JG
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