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...

Polynesian Motel - Anaheim, CA

A favorite activity of mine during my family's twice-yearly visits to Disneyland are the times when I hit the road in the afternoons to explore the Southern California cityscape. Armed with postcard clues, I seek to identify the remains of old motels and other businesses, with the goal of documenting their latter days and seeking some connection to the excitement and optimism often portrayed on the paper advertisements of the Kodachrome Age.

One such place hides in plain sight along Brookhurst Street in Anaheim. The Polynesian Motel has enjoyed a 50 year run, providing comfortable lodging for the budget-conscious traveler.

Here's our first shot of the Polynesian, taken when it was newly minted. Note the jaunty sign, which once broadcast the siren song of the South Seas to the adventurous. The rest of the motel appears to be rather scant with the Tiki accoutrements, but I guess we can give them a pass based on the strength of the sign itself.


One should take note of the phone booth at the base of the sign. These are getting very hard to find these days, as cell phones have become as common as these glass boxes once were.

I'd love to slip back in time to around 1960, and be standing in this booth around 9:00 PM on some warm summer evening, with the neon lighting of the sign filling the booth with color and movement. Perhaps I'd call a cab to take me down the road to Linbrook Bowl* where I could roll a few frames and mix with the locals in the Kopa Room*.

Now here's the Polynesian in December, 2007. The grounds are well maintained and the paint is fresh, but the excitment and lure of the place has suffered with the removal of it's neon beacon.

Another card from the late 60's focused on the pool scene (sorry for the poor quality).

The pool area as it is today:

One more thing: if you decide to step out for a smoke, make sure you grab a matchbook when you pass by the office.

Unfortunately, it looks like they skimped a bit on these, as the cover depicts a generic roadside motel, not the exotic Polynesian...

* This locally-treasured alley and lounge still exist, and will be the focus of a not-to-distant future post.

Kona Motel - Anaheim, CA

Back on the streets of Anaheim, here we find the Kona Motel located at 331 North Brookhurst Avenue. With its island-inspired sign and 'A' frame entrance, the Kona is a proud member of that now-fading fraternity known as the Tiki motel.

The Kona was born sometime in the late 50's, when the exotic feel of genuine Tiki was often invoked by restaurants and motels to add mystery and allure to the dining and lodging experiences of mid-century Americans.

Here's a postcard view of the Kona Motel when the paint was still fresh:

Though time has passed, the Kona remains a local fixture, if only in the hearts of those who call it home. Located near Brookhurst Junior High School and abutting Dad Miller Golf Course at its rear, the Kona maintains its island look as best it can.

And if you're staying by the night or even by the week, the kidney shaped pool is still available for a refreshing swim. You can even hang your trunks out to dry on the convenient clothesline.

For those of you clamoring for a close-up of the sign, here you go. Two concessions to Father Time are evident: the font used in 'MOTEL' is no longer island-ish(?) and I'm almost positive that live flame no longer emits from the torch that rises above the 'Kona' plaque. Still, this is a fine example of the apparently lost art of creative motel signage.

Westward Ho 7 Seas Motel

A short walk across the street from the Little Boy Blue, we now find ourself at this identity-challenged, seemingly budget-minded motel. I guess the name would appeal to those with a nautical leaning while drawing in the Old West type at the same time.

Either way, it looks like the same anti-swimming vibe is present. Glassy smooth pool surface, adults fully dressed and little children packed away somewhere. The pool doesn't close until midnight so perhaps they'll be diving in when they get back from the park. Let's hope they took the free shuttle; it would be quite a walk from here.

The WH7S Motel was located at 415 West Katella Avenue, in between the Rip Van Winkle and Samoa motels. Every room featured a complimentary Philco COLOR TV and direct dial telephones.

About thirty years later, I visited the now Super 8 Motel to see what had changed. I'm happy to report that time has been kind to the grounds and pool area. In fact, it looks like this picture could have been taken the morning after the original.

The Little Boy Blue Motel --- Anaheim, CA

Here's the Little Boy Blue Motel located at 416 West Katella Avenue, near Disneyland. Among the many amenities available at this modern motel were:

Orthopedic Mattresses
Tubs and Showers in Each Room
Electric Air Conditioning
Heated Pool

Once you've had a chance to enjoy these modern features, It was comforting to know that the LBB was "Around the corner from Disneyland and Melodyland." and "Close to Knott's Berry Farm, (Movieland) Wax Museum, new Angel Stadium and beach areas."

In this postcard it looks like two middle aged couples are enjoying the pool area, but apparently forgot to pack their swimsuits. One might ask: Where are the kids and why isn't anyone in the pool?

Fast-forward 40 years. Once again, No child is present on this Summer afternoon. The colorful waterslides have been removed, and it seems like the adults have checked-out as well. Maybe they spent the day at Knott's Berry Farm?

The Little Boy Blue is one of the few Disneyland-area motels to retain both it's original name and layout. It still shares a pool with the adjacent Riviera (formerly Pyramid) Motel, and the funky diamond-shaped entrance archway continues to stand watch...

Fly Casting Pool - La Palma Park Anaheim

Anaheim's other large public space is La Palma Park. Back in 1957, this fly-casting pool gave the locals a place to practice their casting without having to leave town. Not sure how many people used this pond for that purpose but sometime between then and now another use was found for this space; a use that speaks more to the Southern California lifestyle...


That more appropriate use was (of course): PARKING!

Here's the fly-casting pool in June, 2007, sporting a glassy-smooth blacktop surface. Probably not the best spot to practice your casting anymore. Some of the parks' current residents were nearby, wandering what was so interesting about this spot that I needed to take a picture...

Anaheim City Park / Pearson Park

Here's a 1957 postcard featuring the Water Lily Pond in Anaheim City Park. The young lady admiring the lilies is now over fifty years old. She must look quite different today. How about the pond itself?

Here we are in June, 2007. The City Park is now Pearson Park having had it's name changed by city resolution in April, 1960. Other than the name, things are much the same around the old pond. Even the river rock shoreline remains as it was; many of the individual rocks can be identified between the shots.

Stay tuned...We'll visit the former Fly Casting Pool at Anaheim's La Palma Park next time here on WalterWorld.

Palm Motor Lodge

Located two miles North of Disneyland on Harbor Blvd, the Palm is a survivor indeed. The motel predates the Magic Kingdom but managed to corral it's share of visitors, including Doris Huffman of North English Iowa. She arrived by bus and stayed a week before making her way home via Canada. This was back in August 1961. Today's modern guests are more of the extended-stay, down-on-their-luck types. Here's how she looked on June 20th, 2007:


If you're in the mood for a swim in the heated pool, you'll need a time machine:


And a final sign shot from the street---

A Schusssing We Shall Go...

Back in Anaheim, we now visit the Alpine Inn. The Alpine was one of the earliest of the motels that sprouted up to surround Disneyland after it’s 1955 opening. It was/is located at 715 Katella Avenue near the now closed South entrance to the old Disneyland parking lot. Each room had it's own phone and free TV, and also featured refrigerated air conditioning. This postcard shot dates from the late fifties based on the cars in the lot.

Here’s the Alpine in 2004. The sign now conforms to the new Anaheim Resort code, but this old motel is definitely still kicking. I’m not sure when the well-themed snowy roof and log siding was added, but one could argue that the Alpine looks better now than when it was new some fifty years ago. I think I’ll dial KEystone 5-2186 and book some rooms for my annual June trip...

Brookside Winery/Vineyard Company

Here we have a mid-sixties postcard shot of the Brookside Winery located at 711 Brookhurst Street in Anaheim, CA. The back of the card states:

“Featuring over 100 different wines, champagnes, and brandies. Brookside Winery’s lovely Anaheim Cellar No. 5 and it’s tasting room, located midway between Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, is…one of California’s oldest wineries – established in 1832.”

The card was dated March 31, 1972. The caption reads:

“Vi and I stopped here today. We had a taste of wine and I bought some to bring back. Archie stayed home.”

Must have been a fun place to taste a bit o’ vino during a break from the parks. I'll bet Archie was envious when he found out how much fun Vi and whoever had!



Now it's June, 2005. The winery is long gone and the building is available to lease. Last use: nightclub. The parking lot was littered with trash and the vines and other such landscaping had pretty much taken over. Over the past 40 years the surrounding area has crept in on the old gal; the motel to the right consumed what had been a formal auto entrance and parking area. Hopefully someone will take charge of this turretted, towered, and vaulted-ceiling endowed piece of Anaheim history and return it to it's former function...but I doubt it will happen...


On a side note, Brookhurst Bowl is located just a short distance North on Brookside. I highly recommend a visit to these vintage lanes. The coffee shop has great food and the Kopa Room is still going strong. I'll have some pictures of the unique late 50's sign complete with giant rotating bowling pin in a future post.

Happy travels---

Charter House / Anaheim Plaza Hotel Pool

Ahhh... the good old days...

Here's the olympic sized pool at the Charter House Hotel on Harbor Blvd in Anaheim, located across the street from the old Disneyland sign that many of us remember. As a guest of the Charter House, you would "Enjoy spacious comfort in modern sleeping rooms." When you get hungry, slip over to the Rib Room for "...fabulous roast beef, dancing and entertainment nightly." The CH opened up around 1960(?) with the Saga Motel directly to the North and the Fantasy Motel next door to the South. What a great place to stay during your Disneyland visit!


Fast forward to 2004, and my family and I are staying at the Anaheim Plaza Hotel. Looks kinda similar huh? Well, this is that same olympic size pool and those are the same spacious, flowered grounds that first greeted guests when Ike was in office. We usually stay at this fine place when we visit the Big D. The Rib Room is long gone and the nightly entertainment can be a bit sparce unless someone is getting married in one of the meeting rooms by the pool. This is the last olympic sized pool in the Anaheim area and was once the rival of the one at the Coral Club on the grounds of the Disneyland Hotel on the other side of the Magic Kingdom.