Greetings From Modesto, California

I’m not sure who first came up with the “Greetings From…” postcard format, but through the years countless states and municipalities have authored their own series of these cards to promote the scenic wonders, tourist attractions, modern buildings or other civic landmarks in their local area.

My hometown issued at least 10 of these cards beginning in the mid 1950’s, and I’ve managed to collect the majority. Today, let’s see what’s become of a few of the subjects they covered.

First up, Downey High School at 1000 Coffee Road:

I had the good fortune to find the exact piece of ground where our photographer snapped the original pic:

Modesto High School (my alma mater) came first, but the modern education age came to Modesto in 1952, when Thomas Downey High School opened up. My father Edward was in the first graduating class, and my uncles Gary and Philip followed him down the hallowed halls…

Downey’s most famous alum is George Lucas, who brought us the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies, as well as American Graffiti, which was based on his memories of being a teenager and cruising the streets of Modesto. His movies of late have been fairly terrible, but I digress…

The Auditorium has been receiving a little facelift over the past year. I was inside about ten years ago and it was like taking a time machine back to the 50’s. I hope it isn’t changed too much...

One last look at a Classic American High School:

Now let’s take a quick detour to the outskirts of town and play a quick 18 at Del Rio Country Club:

I would have enjoyed finding the location for the ‘Now’ shot, but the club has been renovated extensively over the years and I’m fairly certain that the building pictured no longer exists. Besides, I think that Security may have taken exception to my snooping had I tried…

For our final stop, let’s journey a bit south of Modesto, to the growing town of Ceres, where the former Memorial Hospital of Stanislaus County once stood:

The building and grounds are still there actually, but now serve in the role of drug rehabilitation inpatient/outpatient facilities, as well as offices and storage.

I was born in this hospital, and my parents no doubt came through the former main entrance to get checked in:

I bet Old Glory was blowing in the breeze on that cold December day in '68...

The former approach and exit...

A newer section of the hospital features some of that wonderful rock work that was frequently used to grace our homes, coffee shops, and professional offices back in simpler times:

It's funny some of the things you can remember from your childhood.

I can remember visiting my great aunt Lottie when she was a patient in this wing. She was there for a week or so, and the nice lady who shared her room passed away during her stay…

OK, let’s get out of here, before I get too creeped out:

On a brighter note, and just down the road from the old hospital, what I suspect to be the former Sequoia Super Market continues to serve the local populace as La Sequoia (still) Super Market:

To those of you that checked back more than once to see if I had posted again, I apologize for the long delay. Thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoyed the journey.

Take care and I’ll see you down the road…

Bowling in California

The bowling alley once played a much bigger role in the fabric of growing communities. Today, many of these great gathering spots are living out their final years, and I sincerely hope that the wrecking ball will continue to pass them by...

First up, it's Freeway Lanes on Golden State Blvd (old Hwy 99) just North of Selma:

Nice wall detail:

Restroom tile work circa 1958:

About 220 miles to the south, Palos Verdes Bowl remains in fine form and without bumpers if you please:

The locker room:

In Northern California, Monterey Lanes continues to offer safe haven to the occasional gutter-baller...

The entry driveway:

Interior ceiling panels:

Classic exterior patterns:

In Santa Fe Springs, we take a fond last look at Premier Lanes...Which closed in May, 2008. These pictures are from June, 2006 and I wish they weren't so washed-out.

Encore Room R.I.P.

I want some of these lockers in my hobby room (I also want a hobby room):

Last but not least, and still quite impressive in scope, here is wonderful Covina Bowl in West Covina...

The great sign:

Alas, The Egyptian Room is long gone, unfortunately...

See you next time!

Crown Motel - Anaheim, CA

Once located at 1136 North Los Angeles Street (U.S. Highway 101) in beautiful Anaheim California, the Crown Motel was built and opened sometime in the very late 40’s or early 50’s.

From the days of linen postcards, here is our vintage view:

On the reverse, it’s revealed that the Crown was fully modern, with full tile, glass door showers or tubs. Heck, they even had Panelray vented heat!

Besides being near good restaurants, the Crown Motel was located across from beautiful La Palma Park, which still exists…As does the Crown, except that it now resides at 1136 North La Palma Parkway:

Don’t worry, it wasn’t moved block by block to a new location, it’s just that some of the major street names in Anaheim have shifted over the years. Chris Jepson over at the OC Archives could explain it all; he authored a post on this phenomenon last year.

During your stay at the Crown, you will probably want to venture across the street to La Palma Park. In days past, the Valencia Orange Show was held on the future park site:


Here is a view of La Palma Park from 1948. To the far left and just above the second smaller road (Swan St.), the site where the future Crown Motel is to stand is a vacant lot:

Dating the age of the Crown can be difficult if you don’t have access to a reverse directory (the Anaheim Public Library is just under 350 miles from my house) or access to a time machine. This early 1950’s aerial shot clearly shows the Crown having arrived. Look just above the Fly Casting Pool at middle upper right:

Nowadays, perhaps you would like to check out the happenings at the Martin Recreation Center:

Or maybe practice your casting at the old Fly Casting Pool:

Wait…That doesn’t look right…OK, let’s go back 45 years or so, back to a prior installment of WalterWorld to see what changed.

Then again, if fishing doesn’t float your boat, just turn around and behold the still-well-kept grounds of the Crown. Take a moment to admire the original condition of the facilities…

Remember when these metal awnings were everywhere? You don’t see them as much these days:

The sign post blends in well with the surrounding palm trees; it’s almost like the red Crown banner is floating free:

One final note: If you’re passing by and the Crown is flashing the ‘No Vacancy’ sign, truck up the street to the Palm Motor Lodge; just don’t try to swim in the pool...

Take care all, and see you down the road…

Frontier Motel, Anaheim, CA

Today we pay a brief visit to the Frontier Motel at 933 Harbor Blvd in Anaheim. The Frontier has been in operation since the late 50's, and retains a touch of its former livery even though the Old West in these parts has been largely tamed.

Located just over the Interstate 5 overpass from Disneyland, the Frontier is also close to the Anaheim Convention Center and Angel Stadium. As was typical in motel advertising then (and now), other places of interest within 30-45 miles are named such as Marineland, Hollywood and Knott's:


As first conceived, the Frontier featured an open-range pool that was convenient for drive or drop-ins, as well as some good humored joking among the younger set when one party received an undesired shove towards the cool blue waters.

Here's our peak into the past courtesy of a vintage postcard:

And here's the Frontier as we know and love it today:

Progress is progress as they say, and one of the sure signs of progress is the widening of roads to handle ever increasing vehicular traffic. Harbor Blvd was widened recently and some of the Frontier grounds had to be laid upon the altar of the automobile.

Here's all that's left of the former (heated) wading pool:

The rest of the pool is intact and looks fairly clean & clear, and the surrounding palms are much bigger now. The only thing missing are the guests splashing around and carrying on...

As I mentioned, some of the Western livery on the Old Frontier remains...

Bars have been added to the windows so that the Office can double as a jail for desperados, and you'll also note the survival of the 'Frontier' roof trim:

Actually, the roof trim looks kinda Swiss to me...But maybe the settlers who founded this place were from there?

Lastly, the Anaheim/Santa Barbara Resort-No really it's a great idea, just tile everything and make it mission-y-Conforming sign retains some of the Cowboy feel found on the original:



Well Pardner, that's about it.

Let's always be thankful to those hardy lodging industry pioneers who paved the way for us way back when, for without them we'd still be spending the night in our Town & Country station wagons and would not have the benefit of Single or Family Units, Kitchens or Free TV (not to mention thermostatically controlled heat).

Take care until next time...