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…

Driftwood Motel & Sambo's Restaurant - Modesto, CA

Here in the Central Valley, old remnants of the former Highway 99 snake through the downtowns of dozens of small towns. These sometimes forlorn stretches often showcase the roadside survivors from bygone days.

Typical of these hangers-on would be the Driftwood Motel in Modesto…

Back in the day, The Driftwood was:

"Modesto's finest motel only 3 minutes from downtown. 31 beautiful units with individually controlled refrigerated air-conditioning, and thermostatically-controlled heat. Room Phone - free TV - heated swimming pool. Sambo's Restaurant adjacent."

Here it is during happy times in the early-sixties:


Today, a pretty sky belies the fact that times have left the Driftwood in a state of decline. Many lodgers now call this place home for weeks at a time.


The pool looks refreshing and would have helped sooth yesteryears lodgers when the temperature hits 106 in Modesto as it did today (May 17th). I can clearly remember the sight of that large Driftwood sign while driving on highway 99 as a child. At night, the multi-colored neon was an impressive sight indeed:

The pool serves no purpose now; and a fence keeps the curious from hurting themselves:

And what became of Sambo’s you ask?

Well, mid-century coffee shop style is hard to hide. The original building still serves food and what-not under the banner of “The Ranch – Bar & Grill”:

It looks like they’ve attempted to add a bit of authenticity with the covered wagon entry piece:

I spoke to the owner of a business on the other side of 9th street (who by coincidence used to work at the Driftwood 30+ years ago), and he warmly remembered the days when more than just the downtrodden stopped at Sambo's and the Driftwood…

P.S.: All apologies for the big break between posts. I appreciate all three of you checking back (you know who you are). Take care and I’ll try to be back again soon…

Capri Motel - Modesto, California

Back in my hometown of Modesto, The Capri Motel was located at 602 McHenry Avenue.

From the back of the 1950's postcard:

"28 large comfortable units, individually heated and air conditioned. Wall-to-wall carpets. Free TV. Room Phones. Off the Highway - Quiet and restful."

The highway mentioned would be Highway 99, which in the 50's still rumbled through the heart of the old city via 9th Street. It would be at least 10 more years before the inevitable by-pass was constructed.

The Capri is looking sharp with its AAA approval and inviting pool, and a room reservation could be made by dialing LAmbert 4-7374. I'd like that second story room just to the right with the balcony...

I visited the Capri in late November, 2007. And I'm happy to report that the old place is looking well.

It's now an Economy Inn and features (from the phone book ad) "Luxurious Air Conditioned Guest Rooms With Desk In Every Room". It seems quaint that air-conditioning is still one of its boasts, as A/C is a rather common 'luxury' in this day and age.

You'll notice that they've built a fence around the pool. It amazes me how pools were left completely open in the old days. Of course, back then people didn't sue for everything like they do today.

Dad and John Through Time

One of my parents first homes was on Campus Way in Modesto, California. This was near Modesto Junior College where my father (and my brothers and I) would later graduate. My oldest brother John was only a few months old when his picture was snapped, held in the loving arms of our father Ed. The original shot was taken in late 1959. I revisted the old neighborhood in 2003 and found it largely unchanged. I was even able to locate the very place where my mother Karin must have stood when she took the original shot.

One of my goals when I came up with this blog was to present a rear-view mirror to the slowly fading past. As these pictures from yesterday fade and yellow, I believe that their place in time still exists as long as the memory remains in those who once passed them by. Keeping those we love alive after their passing is only possible when we permit ourselves the quiet times when reflection can bring us home.