Mobil Gas Station, Anaheim 1956

Can a gas station inspire awe? We think it can. This marvelous modern Mobil once adorned the intersection of Harbor and Katella, catty-corner from Disneyland's expansive parking lot. Its four exuberant canopies were arranged in a neat diamond pattern - each magically balanced on a single central support - and topped by a flying red Pegasus.

For these images, architects Whitney Smith and Wayne Williams enlisted the talents of their friend, famed photographer Julius Shulman. Shulman staged the photo on the spur of the moment, with a customer's red car and the wife of one of the architects, driving her own Austin-Healey convertible, with white gloves, in the foreground. Anaheim's ubiquitous orange trees, loaded with fruit, border the blacktop in the distance.

In his book Googie Redux, historian Alan Hess notes "This is another example of an established high-art architect who took the purpose and forms of roadside architecture seriously."

Fantastic, isn't it?

Julius Shulman was one of the leading architectural photographers of the 20th century, developing a close association with many Modernist architects. His work played a major role in crafting the perception of the "Southern California lifestyle" to the rest of the world during the 1950s and 1960s.

And here's where it was... in the bottom right corner of this 1958 aerial view.

Today the property is an empty lot surrounded by chain link fence.

Everything New is Old Again!

Hang on tight, here it comes!  The most exciting redevelopment project in Anaheim's history is underway, as our downtown's Center Street Promenade undergoes an extreme makeover.
Once home to historic buildings that have since been destroyed, the area will soon be inhabited with non-chain retail stores and restaurants that will bring a hip vibe to the area.

New windows (left) look older and more classic than the old ones (right).

The outdated Center Street, designed in the 1980s, is rapidly being re-imagined as a classic 1940s American downtown.   In the visual styling of this project, it's evident that old has become the new new. For example, the K&A Cafe facade is currently in the process of getting fresh windows and doors, which look convincingly as though they've been here for generations.  Antique-looking fold-out windows with panes of wavy hand-made glass are replacing the previous teal-framed ones - and the effect is stunning.

K&A's new interior, in progress.

Inside, the K&A is beginning to look like a whole new cafe.  Vintage "chicken wire tile" cover the floor, new chairs and tables are being brought in, subway tiles add texture to the back wall, and soon an embossed tin ceiling will be installed  "We're very excited about the changes," say K&A owners Kathy and Art Cervantes, who serve up sandwiches, tacos and pastries to the downtown lunch crowd.

K&A owner Art Cervantes (left) with AHS Vice President Kevin Kidney

Large window panels now fold open so diners can enjoy the weather as they eat, while the aromas of good food are carried out to passersby in the street.

Fresh-brewed iced tea and homemade cheese danish
at one of the new glass-topped "community tables".

 Luther Miller (right), Construction Project Manager for Center Street's redevelopment.

An undertaking this big obviously requires passionate and creative people. The Lab's Project Manager Luther Miller grew up visiting the old downtown Anaheim as a kid, and fondly remembers the city's sense of excitement and activity.  "Anaheim's downtown was king!" he recalls, "Back then the city had it all, and everyone came here." Miller is confident that the project will bring that good feeling back again. "Creating a timeless, appealing environment is just the first step.  Fortunately the buildings on this street have good bones!"

Exterior lighting fixtures, then and now!

Watch for further updates on the transformation of our historic downtown in the weeks ahead.

White Front, Anaheim 1961

When it comes to collecting photographs of mid-century America, just as the locals saw it through the lenses of their cameras, our friend Charles Phoenix is king. He has amassed a treasure trove of more than a million vintage Kodachrome slides, and his retro slide shows play to standing-room-only audiences across the country.

This colorful view of the White Front store, once located at 2222 S. Harbor Blvd, comes from Charles' book Southern Californialand (published by Angel City Press). Orange County's first "big box" discount chain store, White Front was the Target of its day.

*Get yourself a copy of Southern Californialand.

The Southland's Playground

A while back, we shared an image of the front of an old brochure from the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. Our pal Chris Jepsen recently posted the brochure's interior fold-out map on his terrific OC History Roundup blog. The graphics are delightful! Thanks, Chris!

PS: You can also download a much higher-rez scan

of the map from Chris's flickr set by clicking here.

Ride A Bike, Take A Hike...in Anaheim Coves

If you never stepped out of your car, you wouldn't even know it was there. Stretching a full mile and a half right smack through the heart of Anaheim's urban cityscape is a corridor of peace and quiet for humans and wildlife alike.  Anaheim Coves, a brand new park, finally opened for public use this week alongside the Santa Ana River, not far from (and in striking contrast to) the humming 57 Freeway.

On land that was originally known as the Burris Sand Pit, the city's groundwater recharge basin has been transformed into a gorgeous 14-acre mile-long pedestrian trail and bicycle path connecting Lincoln Avenue and Ball Road.  The area is also a protected habitat for a variety of wildlife, in particular the many birds that live at Anaheim Coves, year round or during migration.  The water and a thriving fish population provide an appealing rest stop on the Pacific Flyway, especially for fish-eaters like American white pelicans, skimmers, egrets and great blue herons.  A large "Bird Island" near the basin's maintenance area has been built to encourage nesting above the changing water levels.

Over the past two years, the Orange County Water District, in partnership with the City of Anaheim, has diligently removed all invasive non-native vegetation that had been growing along the river's edge, and began planting thousands of native trees, scrubs and plants to restore the landscape to its natural condition.  Plants accustomed to Anaheim's dry climate, such as California fuchsia, bush monkeyflower, white sage, matilija poppy, and toyon now border the trail.  It's already breathtaking now, and as the years go by, the growth is expected to provide an oasis of shade and beauty.

People walking in Peters Canyon, 1895.

Local, natural and water stories are told along the trail through informative historical plaques provided with the guidance of Anaheim Public Library's Heritage Services. Vintage photos, like the one above, show locals enjoying an outing close to home in Orange County.  Even earlier in history, Tongva Indians relied on the river's water to grow plants for food, shelter, and tools.

Today, in addition to the water-smart landscaping -- fences, benches and even the surfaces for parking are made entirely from recycled materials. Anaheim was named by German settlers to mean "Home by the (Santa Ana) River".  Anaheim Coves now provides a natural, safe place for visitors to get outside and ride bicycles, go for a walk or simply relax while getting a closer connection and respect for our vital Santa Ana River.

Put on your walking shoes, hop on your bike, and treat yourself to Anaheim Coves. It's right here in the middle of your own city.  Enter the trail from any one of three convenient locations:  Lincoln Avenue, Ball Road or Rio Vista.  If you've only seen your neighborhood from behind a steering wheel, you are in for a wonderful surprise.

TRACKING the PACKING HOUSE!

Looking good, with the tower caps finally back in place!

If you live or work in downtown Anaheim, you are probably keeping an eye on the amazing transformation happening now on Anaheim Blvd.  The 92-year old Spanish revival warehouse is one of the last remaining architectural treasures of Orange County's citrus era - and its being restored!

On November 3rd, the restoration crew marked a milestone of sorts, when they finally replaced the long-lost caps atop the two towers on the building's facade.  We got a rare opportunity to explore the construction site, and even went inside for a look at the newly painted ceiling.   It's an awe-inspiring space.

In the distance, the Anaheim Brewery occupies the old Packard dealership, with Los Angeles burger sensation Umami Burger scheduled to open next door in February.

When it opens next year, this cavernous sunlit space will hold over twenty restaurants.
Dining space will be communal- with seating inside and outside the packing house.

"Sunkist, I Presume!"
The original Sunkist orange emblem on the face of the building.

Vintage view of the building in its heyday, with the original tower caps.

Follow the Anaheim Packing House progress at www.anaheimpackingdistrict.com

ANAHEIM HALLOWEEN PARADE 2011

Anaheim Historical Society - Halloween Parade 2011 from Crescent Bay Films on Vimeo.

Ever since 1924, the residents of Anaheim celebrate Halloween in their own particular way...with a PARADE! This year the Anaheim Historical Society presented a fabulous "Hi Neighbor" Autocade of vintage cars and trucks, headlights flashing and horns honking to the delight of thousands lining both sides of Broadway. Highlights included a 1928 Buick Sedan Truck, a 1931 Ford Model A, and more! Among the Guests of Honor were Elsie Reed (Founder and past President of the Anaheim Arts Council) and Geri Bumpass (Disneyland's first Tour Guide).