If you don’t know where Westchester California is located, you just have to look for the LAX on a map and there it is! It is NOT in New York.
Memories of Westchester Calif 1960-1975
Neighborhoods. Communities. Friendships.
If you don’t know where Westchester California is located, you just have to look for the LAX on a map and there it is! It is NOT in New York.
Memories of Westchester Calif 1960-1975 
Westchester was, is and will always be my home. When I was growing up, it was a part of LA, but it wasn’t. Nobody really knew it existed. You could drive to LAX and swear it was just Los Angeles. It was it’s own little entity. We could walk anywhere and be safe. I used to ride my bike everywhere and there were no worries. There weren’t any gangs. I remember Karl’s Toys, and the other shops in The Triangle. I used to get my hair cut at Ted’s. I’d go with my grandmother to Madamoiselle’s right on the corner, where she bought her clothes. It later became a bike shop. The Paradise and Loyola theaters. Double features for next to nothing!Hillmart Market. Now that was a market. Full service meat section. I had never seen pre-packaged cuts of meat until my grandmother sold the Westchester house and we moved to Van Nuys (which I freaking despise!). I remember going to Airport Jr. High. I actually liked that school. Too bad classes would have to stop everytime a plane went right over. It’s now a Hertz rental. Hell, I never went to school with an African American until I went to Airport!! I transferred to Orville Wright and the following year they closed Airport and transferred everyone to Orville Wright. I’d never seen that many kids in one place! They brought in a crapload of bungalows to handle the overflow. I remember Red Riding Stables at what is now the Fox Hills Mall. I remember horseback riding thru the cemetary and the oil fields. I remember the bean fields. They don’t exist anymore either. They’re now the Howard Hughes Center or some such thing. I remember my first pizza at Pizza Napoli. Dinah’s on Sepulveda and Centinela. At least it’s still there. Best apple pancakes around! It was, for those of us growing up in that time and place, a wonderful little slice of heaven and no one knew about it except us!
Hi Vicki !!! Charles Jackson here. Love reading your memories of Airport and the Westchester area. Hope all is well. If you want, chjexfed@gmail.com to contact me. Take Care !!!! CJ
I remember remember paying 20 cents for a double feature at the Paradise when I was eleven. I was alone. My parents new it was safe to walk the half mile from our house. The movies were usually a Bob Hope’s “road shows” and a cowboy movie. And of course every show began with a Disney or Woody Woodpecker cartoon. And if you needed a little dessert, the Westchester Food Giant market was near by to go after the show. I could get an ice-cream cup for 5 cents complete with wooden spoon.
Vicki, My name is Terry. I used to work at the Red Riding Stables as a stable boy. It was owned by Evelyn Morrisey. Do you remember “Hamburger Handout”?
I remember Hamburger Handout! Every Sunday when we came home from church, we kids hoped Dad would pull up the steep driveway and turn in to Hamburger Handout (this was before a McDonald’s came to town). Burgers were 15 cents, fries 11 cents.
And Airport Village. Hamburger Handout was great, good fries.
Vicki Young ( from WHS !?) I had to laugh about the apple pancakes. Dad was a teacher and mom didn’t work, that’s REALLY funny because all my dear mom did was stay home and raise 7 ( good grief) kids).
Anyway once every month or so we got to go to breakfast and I was about 5-6 I guess got the apple pancakes and could not believe the SIZE of that thing!
I forgot about all the bungalows at Wright.
Rob D
I moved from Canada in 1967 and was enrolled into Airport and then sent to Orville Wright also. I was 11 years old and never met an African-American but color ment nothing to me. I grew up very quickly in that time. My parents owned a motorcycle she on La Brea? I know love in a small town in the the mts in Pennsylvania and I have a son Born April 29 which has me looking back at what happened that date many years ago and wounded how I cld have been so blind. Anyway I have many different colored friends and I am still colored blind. DAR I remember the bungalows and my foods teacher Mrs Campbell and then the teachers left and we were taught by janitors.
Thanks Vicki,
My name is Rick and I remember all those things and more. I went to Airport and it was great, then went to Westchester High beginning in 1964. Panns is still there (at least it was 2 years ago when I went through) For several years I worked at the Richfield station on LaTijera and 74th st, near the Buggy Whip. Loved Tiny Naylors on Friday nights. Even after all these years the meories are still great. Thanks for sharing
Hi Rick,
My dad owned the Richfield station on LaTijera and 74th (across from the Buggy Whip) until he passed away in 1971. His name was Don Hillis. Did you work for him? I lived in Westchester from 1943, when I was born, until 1972, when I moved to Thousand Oaks and eventually Davis, CA. Our first home was on Croydon Ave. Lived there until 1953. We also lived on Ramsgate for awhile, then 96th off of Airport and finally on 79th and Isis. I went to Westport Heights Elementary, Airport Jr. High and Westchester High. My first job, while in high school, was at the Loyola Theater. My older sister worked at the Paradise when she was in high school, then at the Thrifty Drugstore on Sepulveda. Loved all the memories of Hamburger Handout, the Broadway dept. store, Westchester Music, the Townhouse (Friday nights after the game), riding horses in the field by Hughes below the bluffs. Another favorite place was Tiny Naylor’s on Sepulveda and Manchester, complete with car hop service. Long before there was the LAX of today, we used to go to the old airport after school, get a cherry Coke in Mike Lyman’s restaurant, and watch the planes land. No jets back then. I’m 73 years old and when I talk about growing up in Westchester, it’s hard for people to believe there was ever such a small town, home town place in L.A. It was a wonderful place to be in the 40s, 50s and even 60s. My kids went to Osage Elementary before we left and started moving north. My family has lived in Davis, CA for 41 years, but I still call Westchester my home town.
Tonya Berger (Hillis)
Any one remember hamburger hill? Bmx and riding dirt motorcycles? House of pies, paradise theater or the red onion. The swedish smorgasbord on Lincoln, fu loys Chinese food, wbs electronics, gemco. Sega center in the fox hills mall, del rey surf club, westrey pool, manys bicycle shop, Karl’s toy store, and the sports den which turned into slap shot? Oh yah, the cavalier restaurant on airport, chen ling garden restaurant and westchester nieborhood school
Yep, the Swedish Smorgasbord, the Red Onion, Paradise theater. No on the Hamburger hill.
I am not sure since this is a few years old… but Tonya, I lived on Croydon too and remember your family.. you were the same age as my brother Bobby Dill.. we had such a good life back in the day.. Portia Dill Sherrard
Hi Portia,
Yes I do remember you. Bobby actually found me a few years ago, and we had a long phone conversation. I remember you had another brother named Gordon. We lived on Croydon Ave. until I was 10 years old. I loved that neighborhood and have such great memories of being a kid there. I’ve lived in No. CA for 43 years, but still call Westchester my home town. So good to hear from you!
We had the best childhood on Croydon and I agree that Westchester will always be my home. Good to hear from you..
My name is Adele, My family moved to Westchester in ‘42. My bro and I played on the airport landing strips, and ate Mike Lymans, played at the Lyola Theater while it was being built, enjoyed the Paradise Theater while my mom worked at the Broadway Department Store. I went to Westchester Elementary, Junior and graduated from The high school. I lived on Glider Avenue, years later we bought our 1st home in Westchester!!!
I wonder if I have you all beat? I’m 87 and my name is on the plaque at the Westchester high school. I was in the first class to go from 7th through 12th there. Patsy Faye Schumert. I lived on Vicksburg Ave. Only time I saw a black person was at the GAC playdays w/other L.A. schools & riding the streercar downtown. Now I’m having a difficult finding our census of 1950 ……like we didn’t even exist! I loved Miss Jinkens PE and Mr. Jospeh Herman for choir director. Anyone out there still alive knows me???
WHS Class of 74 I remember V. C> how are you? … Sav-ons before the movies load up on candy for .50
Rob D
Having NOT been from Westchester, I lived from 1948 to 1959, three blocks north of Westchester on La Tijera, at 1428, across from La Tijera School, and lived in NORTH Inglewood, a half block south of (at the time) of L.A. 56. I was in the first class to go from 1st grade (1950) to graduation (1957) at La Tijera (i was crushed when Inglewood tore down those brick buildings to make a larger to make a bigger K-8th..It made me feel really old) and then on to Crozier JH, in Inglewood. But I spent most of my time, with my friends across from what would later be McDonald’s (past Centinela, which I thought opened in 1956 or so). Do you remember the “Clock” restaurant, or “Thriftimart” (where I retirned many many “pop” bottles at 2 cents a piece and later it became the Revell slot car track) or “Elster’s Records” (where I bought my first 45s, like “Flying Saucers part 1&2” (1956), and “Diana” by Paul Anka) or the “King’ X” (I was too young to know what it was)? Von’s was there forever, until recently, and of course “Pann’s”, which my family ate at a few times before we moved, in 1959, to Santa Barbara (across from Pann’s were the “Bean Fields”, where the Army Reservist used to have “training manuevers”, and we collected many of the used Ammo). But we used to ride down to the main part of Westchester, on Sepulveda, when there was a “Currie”s Mile High Cones”, and “Walker’s” Dept. Store (later Broadway, where my Mom would park on the roof and we would take the escalator down into the store and where one of her best friends worked), and the “Sav-on” (where I bought my beakers and Florence Flasks, for my Chem-Craft Chemistry set). Of course there was the “Loyola” theater, with its fantastic neon and the newer “Paradise”. I remember riding our bikes down to El Porto and Detwieler’, next to the airport, until one day the hundreds of houses were boarded up (like some Science Fiction movie) and weeks later they were GONE. (The street at the beach end are still there, but fenced off, as are the Palm trees, though cut to the ground).I remember riding around LAX when it was under construction, only to learn later that it was designed by Peirara & Luckman, who also designed the pyramid shaped TransAmerica Tower in San Francisco and the Disneyland Hotel (which explains why LAX is so “Mickey Mouse”). We even rode our bikes through the Sepulveda Tunnel (on the side walk) at age 10, down to where they made Nash automobiles (hence .Nash St.) Now at nearly 71, I remember those day very fondly.
I also lived on the edge of Westchester from 1948 to 1972….near La Cienega and Arbor Vitae. I went to 98th St. School, Airport Jr. HIgh and WHS Class of W ’64. Downtown Inglewood was just as close as Sepulveda to my home….and we frequented both. Old memories fade, change and are lost. I recall nickel scoops at Sav-On and Thrifty. I recall 19 cent burgers at Hamburger Handouts. I recall steak and baked potato and Texas toast for 99 cents at Sizzler. 60 cents per dozen for donuts at the BIG DONUT. I rode my bike throughout the site while Pann’s was being built. El Dorado, Paradise and Carolina Pines were out bowling alleys, but Inglewood Lanes was closer to me. My Kindergarten Class from 1951 at 98th Street School have undertaken a series of reunions/get-togethers that have proven to be enjoyable. The homes are long gone from out neighborhood and the school will soon be leveled after 67 years of service.
I moved from Canada in 1967 and was enrolled into Airport and then sent to Orville Wright also. I was 11 years old and never met an African-American but color ment nothing to me. I grew up very quickly in that time. My parents owned a motorcycle she on La Brea? I know love in a small town in the the mts in Pennsylvania and I have a son Born April 29 which has me looking back at what happened that date many years ago and wounded how I cld have been so blind. Anyway I have many different colored friends and I am still colored blind. DAR
Seriously – “colored friends?” Hard to believe you went to the same Airport Jr High I attended … “colored” was no longer used, or considered okay, even in the 60s and 70s.
I used to live on Vicksburg till I was 9 and then moved to a house on Arizona, I remember Hilltop and the bean fields to! We user to go down there to catch snakes, frogs and polliwogs. Mom would send me to Hilmart to get a loaf of bread and it would almost always get home with the center of the loaf smashed because I carried it wrong. I went to Grammer school at Westport heights and then moved to Cowan Avenue, Junior high at Orville Wright and Westchester high, Summer of ’66 class. I remember Karls, it started out as a stationary, Dinahs, still the best apple dutch baby in the world, and Don’s Deli, just down the street from Karls. The Woolworths, May Company and all of the others. I moved to Porterville after I was discharged form the Navy in ’72. Still miss the old days. Thanks for the Memories!
Hi John “Eric”, I graduated in Summer ’66 also. We had the largest class at Westchester High. My Mom shopped at Hillmart, which turned into Centinela Pet Store and now is a Goodwill store. Marie Calendar Pies across from the Buggy Whip are both gine. They have been turned into huge apartment complexes, which no one likes from increased traffic. As kids we all have wonderful memories of Westchester growing up as as small town. Our parents never worried when we walked up the dirt paths on Manchester heading to Westchester to take in a movie at Loyola Theater or later Paradise Theatre. Loyola was turned into a medical bldg, but the ticket booth out front is still there. Every once in a while a movie is filmed there. The Paradise turned into offices. So sad for me since I moved back to Westchester.in 2002. Everything has changed. But, reading this thread makes me happy.
Thanks for the memories…
WHS Valientes S’66.
Still have my senior sweater patch.
Luana (Grant) Malis
I grew up in Westchester in the 50’s and early 60’s. At that time, both the Loyola and Paradise theaters were weekend drop off spots for all we kids. The Paradise more often…it was less expensive at $.35 cents compared to the Loyola @ .50 cents. Before the movie we would walk across the street and buy our popcorn, candy or drinks and return to watch the cartoons and double features. Growing up in Westchester were truly the “Wonder Years.”
So true! Thank you for this post.
I never could find out why they choose Olive Drab as our class color, what with Viet Nam going Gang busters, I guess they thought most of us would get drafted.
We lived on Vicksburg, The Waldrop’s down the street, Intentional Airport Hotel. Airport bought in 1969. Went to Visitation Catholic School , Westchester Elementary, Airport Jr. High. Moved to Redondo, and got a job at Hughes Aircraft, Culver city. Brothers, and sister went, Westchester High.
Very cool Vicky. I also grew up in Westchester off of 88th St. on West lawn right up the street from visitation Catholic school and church but went to school at Emerson manner and then Oraville right junior high when they start busting in all the blacks while I was at Amerson Manor elementary where later then went to Westchester high school. Do you remember Mayfair market and JC pennies which was right across the street from Woolworths. And if you went to marinas savings bank we got tickets to the free show either one of the two theaters. I remember riding my bicycle to hilltop grocery store and then down Sepulveda hill Into Culver City to buy fireworks. We used to fly our gliders off the hill overlooking Howard Hughes airport. Buying all my hot wheels at Karl’s toys store. I still remember the days when the airport started buying up all of our homes and we had to move. We ended up in orange county and I finished up my high school at fountain Valley high school. When we were kids we would hitchhike to the beach every day from in front of the fire station On 88th St. and Manchester. I also went to Kenwood Elementary for one year. Who is more wonderful days back then without a care in the world. So many stories I wants thought of writing a book about all my stories in Westchester growing up.
Merry Christmas. John Murphy
murphy1759@msn.com
We lived on Firebrand, went to Lutheran school and Cowan Avenue.
My dad was manufacturer, Heuvel Profiling on Hillcrest and in Gardena on 134th
We Learned to swim with Clayetta at 6301 Riggs.
Used to play in the canyon above the airport which had jets landing all the time.
We (me) were rotten kids. The ice cream man wouldn’t stop for us we were bad.
Hamburger Handout twice a week, the Dal Rae was our local. Poor Richards was
The best restaurant cause it had a toy store inside and a train that went around the
Dining room. The public pool on 77, the Candy from Savon was better and the usher used to
Search us randomly. Saw Hatari and Mary Poppins at the Centinella drive in.
Macdonald’s had only served one million!
Played on the dirt hills used to make the 405
Left after Watts riots to Orange then Scottsdale PV Peninsula, Ranch Mirage, Blairsden,
Airlie Beach, finally Cairns……the best place of all.
John Murphy – oh my goodness!! You used to have a bunch of pet king snakes in your back yard. Lisa Cady here; we lived in the pink house across the street and up a couple houses.
I remember going to the bank for the tickets, getting candy at Sav-0n then to the movies at the Loyola. I went back in 2014 for a reunion and couldn’t believe how much it had changed, unfortunately, mostly for the worse.
You got it right!! My brother and I crawled through the Loyola theater as it was being built. All the places you mentioned I experienced. I graduated before you, in ‘55, bought my first home in Westchester!! Fond memories!!
I taught at Kentwood Elementary on 83 rd St from 1967 until I retired in 2002. Wonderful memories revisited reading all the comments.
Remember seeing 747!landing from our school playground. Some teacher friends and I met every Friday for breakfast at Dinah’s. We sometimes went to lunch at a little Italian restaurant near the Broadway. You took a tray and walked to the servers, sat, and ate quickly. Usually had salad and garlic bread. Name??? Help needed. Some days we could smell the ocean outdoors.
Hillmart, the Gardening store across from it on Sepulveda , seagulls on the playground. And the fabulous kiddies that passed through my classroom doors!😍
Lorri – I lived on the corner of 82nd Street and Dunbarton from 1967 to 1971…right up the street from Kentwood. Do you still live in the area?
Andre’s was the restaurant. The owner used to perform magic tricks and the restaurant had a Friday night lounge show in the late 70’s where his wife would sing and he would perform more magic tricks. I used to order their individual sized pizza and they give you a stand with a poker chip to put on your table for when your order was ready. The pizza had a unique taste like no other.
“the Gardening store across from it on Sepulveda”
Teradas Nursery
This is such a trip down memory lane…my family is Argentinian/Italian from Naples many many generations…Lol were all related and we all know each other… seriously……pizza Napoli… Vinnie…ya he’s family..my mom worked at airport tv right next to the red onion and would take me there sometimes..and I would go to Karl’s toy store..walk across the street to Manny’s bicycle shop… directly across from Karl’s there was a bike shop .go across the parking lot to see Vinnie and he would say.bambino do you want a meatball? and he would feed me a beautiful lunch and give me a tender pat on my head and a kiss…I loved westchester.it was a small town feel place that fell apart and went to hell..so sad.. I remember when Vinnie sold pizza Napoli to some people from Israel? Or something and opened another place off Lincoln and supulveda next to alpha beta…it wasn’t the same..rip Vinnie love Bambino….
Michael, I have the same memories. Vinny was a great guy. I ate there at least three times a week when I worked at Loyola Theater. I bumped into Vinnie in Costs Mesa in the 1980s when he was considering buying the Julianni’s there, but the landlord was going to triple the rent, so Vinnie declined. I was so sad. He made the very best lasagna, pizza and meatball and sausage sandwiches.
Oh by the way.campari’s restaurant on the corner supulveda/Manchester with that big statue in front that’s now IHOP..airport tv…lamana plaza down supulveda close to the Italian market but across the street…these were all my family’s
I dyed shoes at Leed’s in 1965.
I remember all of the places you talk about. Such wonderful memories.
Does anyone remember taking swimming lessons from Clayetta Edwards?
Yes she lived on Riggs Place at the end of Arizona Avenue. I lived just about 6-8 houses up Arizona and did take swim classes from her.
My family moved to PDR in 1946, My brother and I had the paper route for the Westchester News Advertiser. I remember the Red Car railroad down the beach to Redondo. We lived on Napoleon St. which is not there because of Airport Expansion. The biggest part of the little was taken by the expansion. We walked to Loyola Elementary School. Went to Westchester High when is was 7th to 12 grade. Graduated in 1956.
I travel as often as my liquid cash will allow me, and when it comes to booking an airline flight, I prefer LAX to all other conveniences near me. Why?
I am a true Westchester native. I love to fly, but who doesn’t have the odd tug at their gut hoping that they’ll be delivered safely to their destination. I have my own good luck rituals whenever I take off, but one of them that is most important to me is looking down at home. There is comfort for me glancing down at the golf course, the high school, the beaches and streets in which I experienced life, love and the beginnings of my young adulthood. It is calming and centers me.
When vacations are over, and thoughts turn to the heaps of mail waiting for me, I again look for the awaiting arms of Westchester…the Forum, the race track, the medical building at Manchester and Sepulveda where 27 years ago I first learned I would become a mother. And then I turn to my traveling companions and simply state….
“…we’re home…”
Are you the Lisa that was in my classroom at Kentwood?
Wow, so many memories brought back reading these postings… I remember “Shopper’s Market” before it became Lucky’s and McCarthy’s Drugs, and the El Dorado Bowling Alley… Kathy Bennett’s house backed up to that parking lot… I remember the toy store… “something” Palace, I think. Not as nice as Karl’s but I loved going in there, and can remember how it smelled in there for some reason. I used to occasionally walk from home: 7257 West 94th Street (no longer there) to the park or Orville Wright, and never worried about my safety, like I do now!!! I remember once someone poured soap in the fountain and it was overflowing bubbles… I remember Hamburger Handout near what became the Fox Hills Mall. I remember Maryann, my sister, would always order a flat, hard corn tortilla with refried beans and they’d put shredded lettuce on it and it was great. I still eat refried beans like that…
Hi Margaret !!! Charles Jackson here. I have very fond memories of Orville Wrght during those care free years when we grew up. I knew you and your sister through a mutual teacher, Charles Belba, when we were there. Do you or Maryann have any information about him? I was hoping to contact him if you do. Best wishes. Take Care CJ
Mr. Belba! He was my Computer Math teacher! We used to punch those little computer cards in class and talk to other schools on the old teletype machine in the back room – I spoke to someone named Lola from “the jungle” my first time on that machine – who knew it would be the internet someday LOL Thanks for reminding me of him Charles 🙂
Is anyone still on this thread?I’m Diane . One of the Cavarretta’s We lived in various parts of Westchester . 1960 (Will Rogers street) then Kittyhawk , then Bleriot. I remember a lot of the street names mentioned here. We went to Osage Ave, then Orville Wright, WestChester High (class of 81). Riding bikes, walking, taking the RTD bus! So many of the same memories. Loved Westchester Music, Westchester library (now a daycare) , exploring the old airport neighborhoods, summers at Westchester Pool. 4th of July show Westchester Park. Good times, good memories. The commercial area is kinda run down now, the residential areas look the same. Would love to see the city using some of the airport revenue to revamp and rebuild the commercial area. The Paradise theater still has the booth and the wavy colored pattern in front of it. They could add a lot of lights, clean up the stores. Like the Irvine Spectrum area. People would love it! Best to everyone!
Yes there are folks still here! Nice to meet you and have you here. I lived in Westchester from 1960 to 1977 and then again from 1992 until 1997. Loved it. Miss it.
It was called the “Toy Palace “
Wow! I love this thread! We grew up in Westchester, in the 60’s and 70’s. The airport came and took our first house on Will Rogers. We moved to Kittyhawk for a few more years then Bleriot. My sister and I just visited there today! What memories! Riding bikes , going through the deserted houses (scary and fun) Westchester pool, Osage, Orville Wright and Mr. Belba , Westchester High, Westchester pool, the El Dorado and pinball machines! Jc Penney’s Woolworth, Savons, Loyola and Paradise theatre, so many memories. Linda & Diane Cavarretta
Actually, it was Toy Kingdom
Hi Candy,
Didn’t your folks own a music store in Westchester. I purchased my first new guitar from that store in 1971 that you recommended me to and still have and play it today.
Toy Palace was the name of the store. I remember riding my Schwinn bicycle to the El Dorado Bowl while
it was being built. I think the “bouquet” in Toy Palace was caused by the elderly father of the woman who owned the place. She used to to hold model car contests and I won a couple of times.
I remember Toy Palace right next to Luckys. They had St. Christopher necklaces and click clacks. I loved growing up on 85th Street in Westchester (Park Hill was the cross Street). I had the best of friends I went to St Anastasia and I went to St Bernards high school and I loved it! I love the beach love love love the beach.
Was it “Toy Palace?” I used to buy hot rod models there…
Hey Dan, are you the same Dan Graziano who knew my brother Danny Sugerman? Your name sounds so very familiar. This is Bonnie Bissell
The “elderly” man in Toy Palace was Helen’s husband Gus, not her father. I think the store smelled like plastic from all the toys, dolls, and packaging. Also, I’m pretty sure they smoked.
Margaret — I am trying to find out more about a house at 7252 W 94th St (which would put it across the street from where you grew up, maybe one house to the east), owned in 1959 by a family whose last name was Glazer. A noted mid-century modern architect, Raymond Kappe, designed a remodel for 7252 — plan can be seen here: http://www.ncmodernist.org/kappe-glazer-1.jpg Do the sections labelled “new” on the plan look at all familiar to you ? Thanks in advance for any recollections you may have and be willing to share … much appreciated !
It was Toy Palace and owned and run by Gus and Helen. I went back when I had my first baby and they gave me a toy for him.
After reading these and other memories posted in the Facebook group, my own are starting to emerge from long dormant parts of my brain. I’ll lay them down here as they flash through…
Westchester at Christmas, with giant red candles announcing the name of the family in whose yard it stands. Some candles were tall and squared off, while others were shorter as if they had already burned for many more years.
The view of Culver City and the whole west side of LA from the playground of Cowan Avenue elementary.
Catching lizards in the bean fields above Hughes Aircraft at the end of Dunbarton, and riding our bikes up and down the dirt paths of those fields and canyons.
Walking to the Little League field below the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on game days, and buying pixie stix and baseball card gum.
Watching the progress of the bomb shelter being built at the corner of Emerson and 77th, across from the Cowan Ave. playground. Sadly for the owner of that house and shelter, the fence was made of a soft reed-like material, perfect for kicking as one walked by. I bet he wouldn’t let us in if the bomb fell, just because we abused his fence.
Playing over-the-line on narrow Agnew Ave. while trying desperately not to break any car windows with a long fly ball.
Rounded curbs between the sidewalk and street. I always that was a much better design than harsh curbs that rubbed your tires and hubcaps if you got too close.
Walking or biking to Robinson’s Drug Store adjacent to Von’s and across the street from Orville Wright to buy candy, or a Mother’s Day gift.
Biking all over town, from the Westchester Public Library in the park near Manchester and Lincoln, to the First Baptist Church – Westchester, at the corner of Manchester and La Tijera.
Of course, Karl’s Toys.
The tropical fish store on Manchester just east of Sepulveda.
The music store across the street from Broadway, where I would buy my clarinet reeds and cassette music tapes.
The Loyola and Paradise theaters, but also the 5th Avenue over in Inglewood. Seeing Silent Running at the Loyola with Mark Clark, and Billy Jack with my dad.
The sprawling Inglewood park, where long games of capture the flag would take place until dusk.
Watching Jerry West, Gale Goodrich, and Happy Hairston play at the Fabulous Forum.
Working as a stock boy at the drug store on La Tijera, across the street and up the street a bit from McDonald’s.
Friday night family dinners at Hamburger Handout at the bottom of Sepulveda and Centinela, where the green neon lettering proclaimed 15 cent hamburgers.
Going to the Centinela Drive-In with my family at first, and then with dates.
Learning how to drive a stick-shift in my Datsun 510 on the newly vacant hilly streets in Playa Del Rey under the new north runway – built to accommodate the giant new 747s.
One semester of a typical school schedule at Orville Wright, before the Airport Jr. High kids joined us. We then went to a shorter day with three longer periods – 8:20am to 1:30pm, with 84 minute periods. That allowed me to catch the Early Show every day, where I could catch older movies and eat a Ding-Dong every afternoon.
Eating at the Bumble Bee diner across from the Hilltop Market, and many years later seeing that same sign sitting in a “sign graveyard” along the Pasadena Freeway north of downtown L.A.
Killing time driving around the LAX arrival/departure lanes. We would always tell visitors to call us at home from a pay phone right when they got off the plane, and by the time they retrieved their luggage we would be waiting curbside for them in our car. LAX was ours.
Listening to the chimes from the Loyola University and Marymount College bell tower. Every fifteen minutes a reminder of the time.
My dad walking to work down the hill to Hughest. My mom walking to work at Loyola Marymount University.
The Cowan Avenue school chorus “white album”. A recording of the Christmas/Hannukah concert where we sang the songs of the holidays and a one-sided album was created. Highlights: Go Tell It On The Mountain, and Hava Nashira – all accompanied by autoharps.
Many of our friends going to Hebrew School.
The big houses on Arizona Avenue running parallel to Sepulveda down the hill.
Shopping for binoculars and camera stuff at Fedco on Jefferson and Rodeo Road (that’s RO-dee-oh, not ro-DAY-oh).
Shopping at the Broadway, and when that failed, Henshey’s over in Ladera Heights.
Going to church when we first moved to Westchester in 1964 at Baldwin Hills Baptist Church – shortly before it was flooded by the failure of the Baldwin Hills reservoir.
The shortcut to downtown via La Cienega – La Brea, too.
That’s enough for now.
Wow!…. A lot of great memories! The tropical fish store was called JAN’s Exotic Fish.
Yeah I remember Jan’s exotic fish. I got some fancy goldfish and guppies from that store. John Murphy
Jim’s Exotic Fish.
Yes! I used to shop there for my aquarium.
Thanks Doug Tally for all the explicit descriptions of all the early days in Westchester. I remenber everything you said. I grew up on Alverstone the street after Arrizona. Used to go to the market a couple of times a day in the summertime. Oh how those memories were the most funnest years of my life. And to hear you talk about it seems like yesterday. And you didn’t forget Hamburger Handout!!!
Darlene
I lived on Airline St and I so Remer those large red candles on on each lawn, you brought so many memories back for me thank you
I was trying to find a way to make a donation to a teacher at Cowan Ave Elem. (my mom taught there) and landed on this site. Such memories. I went to Kentwood, Orville Wright and WHS (’66). We lived across the street from Kentwood. I took the bus alone from age 7, walked to downtown Westchester, rode my bike everywhere. We had so much freedom.
Susie Stocker! I went all through school with you; Cecilia Hackett. How are you ? I remember your mom, “Mrs. Stocker” at Cowan Avunue. Wasn;t your dad a screenwriter? something like that, unusual that he worked from home?
I think the last time I saw you was at our 10th? 20th? reunion. Where are you now?
Hi, CeCe. Nice to hear from you! My mom died in 1972 after battling breast cancer since our senior year. My dad wasn’t a screenwriter (was that Star’s father???) I moved to Seattle in 1977, by myself, with no job. So not like me, but it’s been great. My sister moved up a few years later. I have been married for 34 years to a wonderful, TALL guy. I am retired after working in H.R. I was in touch with Mary Jo Soward for a while and have always remained friends with Gail Maurer and Diana Hissey.
Tell me what you’re doing, where you are, etc. Thanks for posting.
-Susan
Susie Stocker, hello! I remember you talking about how when we graduated, you wanted to move to Seattle and we all said that would be so depressing as it rains all the time. And you said you liked rain. Sounds like you made the right choice! I’m a retired dental hygienist, on 36 years of marriage to a wonderful guy also (after a bummer 1st marriage). I was in touch with Mary Jo Soward for a while, too. I’ve connected with some Altairians on facebook. My cousin pointed me to this site. Good seeing your post here. Take care. Claudia Scott Murray
Hi, Claudia. Of course, I remember you!
I was in touch with Mary Jo some years back. She has/had connections up here and visited me. Good to see her. Last I knew, she moved from Humboldt, CA to Austin, TX. I have remained close to lifelong friends Diana Hissey and Gail/ Dinah Maurer. Am I correctly remebering that you were friends with Jeanne Oczachowski? Now Jeanne Laurie?
I woke up my husband last night to read him your memory from high school of my wanting to move to Seattle. I have no recollection but am thrilled by yours. Clearly, it was destiny. I always hated the heat. Still do.
We have both been married 36 years. Glad you got a good guy. So did I, and he is 6′ 3″ ! (I always detested being tall.) By chance, I graduated from WHS, moved to Seattle and was married on the same day. Some anniversary.
Glad to know you are happy, hopefully healthy and enjoying retirement.
Take care,
Susan
I dropped the Suzi In grad school but everyone from before still calls me that. I changed it from Susie to Suzi when I ran against Jody Hall for something in Jr high and thought it was catchy. I lost. So dumb.
Take care. Happy Thanksgiving.
.
Great recall! I came to live in Westchester in 1942, the elementary school had not been finished yet!. I went to Westchester Elementary, Junior Hi and Hi. Bought my first home there, my children went to the elementary school too! Great place to grow up!!
The Giant Red Candles, I had not thought of those in decades. I grew up on Kenyon, the red candles were on the next street down the hill from us. Rows and rows of red candles at Christmas. We moved to Lake Havasu in 1965, I would have graduated from WHS in 1967. I later moved to Tucson. I had my father make a red candle for me, just like the ones in Westchester, I put it out every year while my children were little. Westchester was a nice place, you could walk to school, walk to the beach, ride bikes, go to the movies. It was an ideal little town.
Hi, I grew up on McConnell Avenue. 2 men on Chase Avenue built the 1st candles for Chase and McConnell. My parents were told that if you moved you had to leave the candle with th ed house. That way the next owners could continue the tradition. Well, in 1983, after getting married, my husband and I purchased a house on 84th Pl just off McConnell. Low and behold there was a red candle left in the garage. I was so excited, but the candle wouldn’t light. My husband was always going to fix it but didn’t. Over the years the red candles never are put out. But I often wonder how many candles are in garages in Westchester!
They used to call it Candle Lane.
I seem to remember that the candles also had a family name that was put in front of the candle with a spot light that illuminated it.
I am pretty sure that we were in the same class.
In the late 50’s my dad worked at McCullough Motors, and my mom was a house wife. We lived on Goddard Ave. for me it was the real Wonder Years! I went to Osage Elementry school , Airport Jr High, Westchester High.
Our neighbors were our family, we played , fought , and grew togerther with the idea of living like the TV show families we grew up watching .
My sister Ellen, is 4 1/2 years older than me , so I got a fast taste of watching Loyd Thaxton, Sam Riddle, and Shindig at a early age. We use to walk over the railroad tracks , across Florance to the Big Donut ( now Randy’s) .
The Golden Bear Hamburger stand was on the corner of Florance & Manchester, and behind it was the roller skating rink.
We did the bean field thing , all day at the Hughes property, and come home dirty and tired.
When I got into high school , I bought a 57 Chevy from a guy named Mike Brown, it was lowered , power blue, astro supreme mags, we had a blast in that car, when it ran…
I have left so much out , it would take a book to capture the wonderful days living in Westchester.
The land marks, theatures, schools, and the cruses down Manchester to the Beach were just half of it .
My friends and families I grew up with in my neck of the woods in Westchester is what made me who I am , and I wouldn’t of had it any other way.
Dale Shelton WHS class 1972
HI DALE,
I STILL SEE MIKE BROWN, WE’VE BEEN FRIENDS FOR YEARS. I JUST LEFT HIM A MESSAGE ABOUT THE 57 CHEVY.
Hey Dale, Did Mike Brown live on 81st St , have a brother Tom and go to Saint Bernard’s, work at IBM. If so I am an old neighbor and friend and would like to get in touch with him …. Please forward my email to him. Thanks, Larry Johnson
Heya Dale! Had to say Hi when I saw your post. It’s only been around 40-years.
Alan
Alan, is that you? Did you ever work at McGees Texaco on LaTijera at Airport Blvd.?
Mr. Dale Shelton my name is Robert Johnson,Bobby Johnson, brother named Bill. you and I were friends at Osage Elementary.
I think we both went to airport junior high school Mr. Parker was my music teacher in 1967 our family moved to orange county and that was the last I saw of anyone from the Westchester area.
I live in Plano TX north of Dallas now I am a native Texan and I moved back here with my wife in 1981 I was a career pilot at the time.
If you get this my number is 214-455-2131 please feel free to give me a call I remember you well Dale!
Hi Dale, my father and uncle both worked at McCulloch’s in research and development.I played baseball at the field McCulloch built on Airport Blvd. Also bowled in McCulloch bowling alley below cafeteria. Fond memories of the Christmas parties Mr. McCulloch would provide each year. Went to Airport Jr. High which right after I graduated was renamed after the principal, can’t remember his name, then went to Westchester High and graduated in 1966, then on to Santa Monica City College. Best of times living in that area and time frame.
Do you have younger twin sisters? Lived on 98th Street.
Sometimes the old memory gets one right.
I remember playing in the bean fields with my friends who lived on the other side of Denrock and going to Westchester to shop at Hartfields and Penneys. I remember Westchester music where I got my vinyl records. when I learned to drive I had a pukky green 1971 Ford Maverick that I lovedto drive down to Laguna Beach. Now that I live in Rhode Island I still remember Westchester
Barbara. I too, played in the bean fields. And at the old LAX, we used to play on the runway!!
I’ve seen a couple people say they played on the runway! Can’t imagine doing that now – you’d get jacked up by the cops, ATF, FBI, CIA, Homeland Security and whatever other agency you can think of!! Same with the kids that would play in the culverts under the runways! They’d poke their fingers and hands through the grates and pull them back just before an airplane wheel smooshed them. crazy going-on’s back then.
My husband, sister and I were driving down a section of Westchester Parkway parallel to the north runway where we believed our house once stood. Having been one of the families whose home was taken by the airport expansion in 1974, I was curious if we could figure out where the land where our house once stood is now. We got out and looked around at the dead end on Rayford and on the other side on the bluff top (at least until LAPD asked us to move along) and found that you can still see where La Tijera connected to Rayford. Under the foliage, you can also see a few street corner curbs (hwere the alley came out at 94th street) and Street lamps, all up on the bluff land much of which is well above Westchester Parkway and fenced off from the curious.
My husband searched the net and found this website: http://www.historicaereals.com where it was possible to see aerial photos of our old neighborhood on 94th street in 1953, 1972 and as it looked through 2005. You can go to Google maps’ satellite view to see current day. Facinating to see the progression of time on the land left vacant.
If you go to historicaerials.com, be sure to use the overlay tool so you can see how the current street map looks against the old pictures. From there, find a landmark (we used the trees still visible on the old La Tijera Blvd.) and determined that our backyard and garage land is still there on the bluff however, the rest of the house land is now Westchester Parkway. Our front sidewalk lines up with the bike lane on the airport side of the parkway.
For my sister and Me, we can finally put the question of where our house land is now to bed. It was fun and cathartic.
Where my house once stood is now the 16th green of the Westchester municipal golf course. I was there 8 years ago and, while standing there, saw an airplane taxiing past just a few blocks away!! Never realized we lived THAT close to the airport!
Did you know the city moved a lot of those homes to south Central LA?
Hi!
I lived in Westchester from when my family all moved there in 1955 until I left L.A. in 1972, plus Inglewood a few years as I got outa High School, and then I moved north as a hippie, to Chico, CA, until on to other towns and finally in 1988 went to China. I live in Thailand now and have been over here and Burma & China since ’88.
All the memories you guys are speaking about, are mine as well.
From over here in Asia, I’ve been sending out newsletters called Memory-Lane, and there are about 120 pictorial pages which include going to grade-school & high-school in Westchester & JC as well. All the 50s & 60s, the music, the streets, the cub-scouts, little-league, sewer-stompin’ and all the landmarks you mention. The oldies tunes & wolfman jack & 50s-60s shows & dance-shows on the tube we all grew up with, the faces and names of those that partied too much and are no longer with us when it was a radical time in the tumultuous 60s. I went out on the highway & camped in the deep woods & did everything, and made it thru those years, and glad you did too!
People call me the original Mr. American Graffiti or the Memory-Lane guy, as I can picture everything as if it was an hour ago, either up on LaTijera & Centinela, or the other direction at Manchester & Sepulveda. All the families we all knew, and the way we wuz!
Westchester Park, Alondra, Ladera, Centinela, and all the beaches where the jets screamed overhead and shook Westchester since the mid-60s & the 405 FWY went in and took the beanfields away down at the end of Airport & 74th. I will never forget.
People don’t realize that the Turtles (Crossfires) and Roosters & Beach Boys & others were from the general area there…
Now most of the kids I grew up with are all grandparents & yet, like one of the guys I still know, we met each other in a sand-box at Osage.
Born Again since ’72 and now in the jungles over here with tribal people in the bamboo…but I still recall the bamboo & the streams of the beanfields as well as the slot-car palladium & the little-league field at Falmouth and the big donut on Florence.
My family is all scattered to the four winds, but I still go back to the place we lived and the streets we knew, and the Beatles, the beaches and the backyards…
Stay young!
Pat <
Pat, I just sent an email to you. Not sure if it is a current address so I thought I would follow up here. Are you Margaret’s brother? I was good friends with Margaret at St. Jerome’s and have always wondered how she is doing. My maiden name is Verret. Denise might have been in your class. Clegg was my older brother but one year younger than Denise. BTW, as a Catholic I was born again by the waters of baptism and then again at Confirmation. I say yes to the Lord Jesus Christ every day and continue to grow in grace and knowledge.
And don’t forget the concerts at the Y on Sepulveda, & of course the Forum. Anyone recall how Paul Revere & the Raiders were at the slot-car place on LaTijera which was once a Bowling alley?
Centinela Drive-In, you could watch movies free from 74th Street, with no sound! There was a gold driving range behind Bob’s Shell-station where 74th Street now has a Post Office, next to what became 405 FWY, and the beanfields are gone, man!
The biggest beanfields were at Centinela & LaTijera but they were engulfed by houses & the Builders Emporium & Sav-On in the late 60s.
Going over Thrill Hill in Playa Del Rey with a carload of guys!
Yes, and Loyola & Paradise Theaters across from Broadway & Sav-On & Woolworth.
The drug-store across from McDonalds at LaTijera was Rite-Way. Ben’s Bootery & Vons & Rexall & 31 Flavors.
Then came the Watt’s riots, and before that, you dove under your desks when air-raid sirens went off.
We ran around the top of the LAX restaurant (space-age) as teens at night & got into rooms at LAX. Ran thru sewers all over Westchester.
Ran track, so I ran up Manchester for practice after school. Tiny Naylors at Sepulveda.
Fun to cruise Memory-Lane?
Pat <
Hi Pat – Dude, did we hang out together? I was at the Revell Raceway running my slot when Paul Revere and Raiders were there filming for the ‘Groovy’ dance show. Osage, the bean field, thrill hill and everything you mention I was a part of. I’ve even lived in Hong kong for 6 years and have been traveling Asia for business for 25 years. Graduated Westchester High in 1972 (along with Dale Shelton above, yeah we cruised in his low-rider – it was really cool!).
This is 2 years after your posting, hope it gets to ya and everything is well.
Loren
Hi Pat
My name is Loren Ouellette. Graduated WHS in 1972. Dale Shelton above was my good buddy and I consider still a good buddy (if I ever see him again). Did we hang out? I was at the Revell Raceway running my slot when Paul Revere and Raiders were there with big hats and all. I seem to remember they were filiming for the dance show ‘The Groovy Show’ with Robert W. Morgan. Hey, I was at Osage, the bean field, Big Donut, thrill hill – I know we scrapped and sparked the bottom of Dales low-rider flying down that one. We used to shoot bow and arrows at the bean field and run Flexible Flyers and / or wagons down the dirt hills.
I’ve been traveling back and forth to Asia for the last 25 years for business with 6 of those being lived on Hong Kong and So. China. Looks like we’ve been in the similar region. Perhaps our paths will cross at sometime.
Take care out there. Keep bring back those great memories.
Loren
Great memories Pat. I share many of those same places. The bean fields especially as we lived on Naylor. The Broadway around Christmas on a rainy day. Grandparents still alive. Loyola free shows in the summer courtesy Marina Federal Savings. The beaches, Bicycle all over Westchester . Run through those long tunnels connecting the terminals. All the rest. Magical times.
Does anyone remember the
westchester witch?
She was an older lady who looked like a witch. She had black pulled back hair and her eyebrows were straight slanted lines. She would walk everywhere! You seemed to see here everywhere
I lived in westchester from 1960 to 1979 as a kid
Hey I do remember the Westchester witch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wow what a trip,I remember her as wearing black dressy outfits with black heels and she walked real fast,I wonder where she lived,anyone else remember her? Linda Rainey,now Felis.I grew up on Croydon in the 50’s and 60’s when it was safe to ride bikes anywhere and play hide n’ go seek till dark……………….
Jim? Jim who?
Jim Swenson?
If Swenson please contact me!
This is Bridget Burton.
betrueluv@yahoo.com
Yes, her 1st name was Bert. She lived on 87th St. behind the Broadway Dept. Store. My wife’s family were neighbors of Bert in the early 50’s. Bert had two kids & my wife said she was at their house often. She remembers Bert as being beautiful & lots of fun. My wife’s family moved to Glider Ave. close to Westport Heights elementary about 56. Sometime after that Bert suffered a major nervous breakdown. The family move out & Bert remained in the house. My wife & I were married in 1963 & were given the equity in a house on Westlawn Ave. between 82nd & 83rd. In 68 we moved to the corner of Bleriot Ave. & 82nd. & remained there until we moved to Wash. State in 1978. We would see Bert walking all around Westchester until we moved away. She had lots of nervous energy. Perry & Sue Baxter
I think I remember her from back then when my family and I lived on Fleetwing Ave. When I went to the Westchester Public Library or the Penney Arcade, I remember seeing her walk everywhere. I don’t remember hearing of a nervous breakdown like mentioned above but it would fit.
My best to you and yours. Please see my memories on this website.
Charles Jackson
Yes and I believed she lived off Truxton and 85th. She had a mental illness,
Paula Hahn sanford
Yea, poor lady. She was haunted by her mental illness.
Okay…
Even though my time growing up in ‘Deadchester” was much later than yours (1970-1990) we had on our street a lady everybody —neighbors and other kids being everybody— called The Witch of Westchester. Absolutely totally forgot about it all until I read your post just now. She did not come out often, was rarely seen, and we knew this because as kids we owned the streets. Stewart Avenue was the place. Old pink house.
I don’t remember the black clothes bit however do remember when seeing here, in my mind it was confirmed, looking like a witch. Not a nice thing to say but I was kid so what. Any event, yes we knew as our friends knew, and other kids knew who were not my friends, that on our street there was a lady called The Witch of Westchester.
I worked at The Broadway while going to college, and always thought of her as a “cat woman” from her feline walk, cat eye makeup, and french beatnik clothing. She used to “shop” at the Broadway from time to time…as in shop lift. I remember the store manager patiently sighing wearily while she smilingly dug a bottle of nail polish out of her pocket to hand to him
. He didn’t call the police. It seemed to be some routine thing with her.
I remember her well. We used to call her sexy rexy.
John Murphy here we all called her the cat lady because she had lots of cats at her house. We used to see her walk around near visitation church all the time. That’s cool someone else remembers her.
Thanks for sharing all the great memories. I remember
the free Saturday movies at the Loyola Theater sponsored by,
I think, Tarbell Realtors… Boy Scout troop meetings at the Westchester Townhouse, Karl’s Toys and Hy Green’s Sports
Den in the Triangle, the lagoon in Playa del Rey and fishing for perch off the bridge at Ballona Creek, family trips to
P.O.P (Pacific Ocean Park,) great spaghetti at the Villa Inn
on Lincoln, burgers and fries at Hamburger Handout, laying in the back of our “57 Ford station wagon listening to Vin Scully broadcast the Dodger game on a transistor radio as the rest of the family watched a movie at the Centinela Drive-in. I graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in 1967 and Loyola University in 1971. After getting married, we moved back to Westchester and our kids went to Cowan Ave. and Wright
Jr. Hi before we moved to Thousand Oaks 18 years ago.
Villa Inn on Lincoln. Pizza in pan, square slices. First pizza I ever had, about the only place around then for pizza.
Thanks everyone for sharing your memories. I feel like I am not alone. We lived in Westchester from 1957 through 1967. There have been a lot of years since I lived in Westchester, yet like you, I have compelling strong memories of Westchester. Walking to Westport Heights, hitch hiking and taking the bus to Westchester High School, the slot car track next to A-A Liquor, Mayfair Market, Westchester Music, where I bought my first 45, Duke of Earl, selling the Herald Examiner on the corner of Century and Sepulveda, carrying people’s bags at LAX for extra money, mowing lawns for 50 cents, driving my bike where ever I wanted, winning a model contest at Karl’s Toy Store, dances at the YMCA with the Roosters, catching pollywogs at the bean fields at Sepulveda and Centinela, flexies, skate boards with steel skate wheels, tree houses and forts on 83rd Street. I could go forever.
A couple of books I just read on the area, Greetings From Westchester, Ca by David Dukesherer and Frit B. Burns and the Development of Los Angeles by James Thomas Keane. Lots of great pictures and explanation how and why Westchester got developed.
Cheers,
Derek.
Hey Derek,
I new you from Sunday School.
Brad Goldsmith
Wow – what a hoot!! I have all the same memories. The free movies at the Loyola were sponsored by Marina Federal Savings and my mom would give my brother and I 35 cents and we would go to save on drugs and buy a bunch of candy for the show. I remember some movie cowboy coming to Westchester Elementary to do a show (I think his name was Monte Markum) and my mom had forgotten to give me the money for the show. I remember my brother taking his ticket and giving it to me. When the principle saw what he did she was so moved she bought a ticket for him out of her own pocket. In later years I hung around with the Berg brothers, Dave Reimer, Walt Couvre and Mimi Goodman. I’m still in touch with most of them that are still alive. I now live in Carson and about every 6 months make a trip up there and cruise the town. I cant believe its been so many years – so weird to look at the place across such a span of time – Bob Orabona
Bob, I believe the Cowboy’s name was Monty Montana. He would visit all of the local schools and do rope tricks while riding his horse, Rex. Good memories.
Monty Montana. He was famous at some point, especially with his lasso.
Do you remember the demonstrations at Cowan Avenue with the LAPD driving a (’50s) sedan on the playground to show how difficult it was to stop? The car shot a piece of chalk onto the asphalt when he saw the flag(or something) drop as he was driving 10 miles per hour. It truly impressed me as to how slowly a vehicle can stop when danger is present.
Mr Bob. What about Gordon Daniker? Don’t forget the Westside boys.
Nickel candy bars were 3 for 10 cents at Sav-On. That’s what we did before the free movies!
Lived in Westchester 1947 – 1962 lots of memories
I grew up in Westchester and it will always be my home. Many great memories!!!
Hi my name is Julie pajak! My mom is Sharon Hoppe and my dad is Donald pajak. After my parents divorced my mom married my stepdad mike warren. My aunt is Holly Hunter and my uncle is Richard Hoppe. When I was very young we lived in playa del Ray, the jungle. I do remember Kery Spencer and Bob Larson, also Mike pegan… My grandparents lived on Gonzaga st . So many great memories in westchester! I live in Ventura but I still love to visit the old neighborhoods especially the duck pond in playa del Ray!!!
I lived across the street from your mom and uncle and aunt on DeHaviland. Wondered what happened to Sharon. We were good buddies for a time. She and Marilyn Reischel and I almost set fire to her garage burning some Watchtower papers her mom had! Used to play marbles with her. Years have gone by! Say hi to her for me, please! Claudia Scott Murray
I went to school with a boy named Don Pajak. I still have fond memories of Westchester High, I wish that I could have finished school there, but we moved. I am in Tucson now.
I too lived in Westchester from 1947 – 1965 with tons of good memories growing up in the Kentwood Gardens neighborhood on 83rd st. Our Westchester High 55th class renuion is coming due this June, and i’m getting excited attending such a wonderful event.
J. Chesley, March 17th 2012
Lived in Westchester off and on from 1947 – 1961 when I graduated from Westchester HS. The 50th reunion was just held last year. Lots of memories of the only place that came close to being a home town. Loved the comment above that it was “in Los Angeles but not part of Los Angeles”. Somehow the tie to the aircraft industry and the technical side of motion pictures made it an enclave set apart from the rest of the city.
What a trip! Born LAX 10/18/1949 and was looking for the WHS class list of ’67 & ’68. Ran across Skip Hogg and he got me searching for forgotten names and somehow here I am. I remember all the places mentioned above and loved the Chinese take-out from Airport Village. The memories of P.O.P. and the owners living around the corner from me that took me there regularly with Sherry (their daughter). All the Robert’s license plates had “P.O.P. license plates” before personalized plates existed and it blew me away back then, in the early 60’s. The Loyola & Paradise, who could forget McDonald’s and how many times I went there after school for a Coke and took Marie Tanner who couldn’t drink Coke (Mormon thing then). I remember both Dale & Ellen Shelton and Ellen’s boyfriend, Bud who I wanted so bad to replace. It’s amazing how many friend’s names come back to light, I hadn’t thought of the Shelton’s or Bud until I saw Dales note above. Hi Dale, I remember your “lowrider” :+)
Memories of many parties at the Centenila Drive in, Ice Cream cones from sav-on. I remember working at the Niagara Car wash on 77th & Arizona for $.90 an hour when I was 14 and the heartbreak of my favorite snack foods (Hostess cakes & Twinkies) going from 11-13 cents!
I remember the airport taking the house I came home to on Gobal Ave. after we had moved to Dunfield and all the homes it took from P.D.R. I’ll never forget the many times I lost track of where I parked my car in P.D.R. when we went to the beach. The Airport also took the last place I lived in so I took the hint and moved to Huntington Beach, near the Grandparents. H.B. got more crowded than L.A. so in ’83 at 33 I found myself moving to and thriving well in Salt Lake. It was awesome at first, traffic moved crowds were minimal and I was enjoying real seasons. I made it there until ’95 when I came to the realization that Utah was a “planet of it’s own” and headed East, 80 miles up I-80 into Evanston WY. Where there were (and still are) only 12,000 people and 7-signal lights.
I guess I could go on and on as others could about all the memories from Westchester but I might never finish, after all, I’m just looking for old W.H.S. classmates lists for 67-68 so since I am here, if anyone has an idea, please let me know.
Thanks and a big Heya to those that read these and remember me.
Hello Alan, I hope all is well with you these days!
You can find me on Face Book , I live in El Segundo.
Hi Alan,
My girlfriend who later became my wife lived on Dunfield.
oh my gosh.. joan edwards, here. All those wonderful memories, thankyou all.
I married a Westchester beauty, Juanita, Westchester High, class of ’65. Being a kid from the other side of the tracks, Lennox High, I was amazed when I found out that Juanita’s Dad, Scotty, was a former honorary mayor of Westchester, President of the Chamber and Past District Governor of Rotatary in Westchester. We started dating in ’67 at age 19 (I’m 20 hours older). I was scared to death when the time came to meet her parents and her younger siblings, Scott, Jr., Jeanie, Julie and Stacy. Juanita;s Dad was very involved in community activities and suggested the name of Orville Wright Jr. HIgh for the new junior high school as a board member. Juanita and all of her siblings went through Wright and Westchester High. I too was blown away by the Christmas decorations along with the big candles in the front yard. I was told it was the idea of a local paperboy. Living in Lennox, it was dreamland to me going to Westchester. Juanita and I used to eat at Tiny Naylor’s on the northeast corner of Manchester and Sepulveda. We saw the Sound of Music at the La Jolla in March of 1968, a month after we were married (just kids, but 45 years married next month). Great memories are held by Juanita, me and our three children who are all now married and have children when we reflect back to Thanksgiving and Christmas at Juanita’s folks home in Westchester. The old haunts of the toy store, music store, flower shop, restaurants, car wash, Dinah’s was the best, yes, Hill Mart, and the distant sound of the airplanes when they were far away. Pretty much everyone has moved, close friends have mostly died off who knew my wife’s folks and family but the memories still cause my mother-in-law to light up when I ask her a question about Westchester.
Thank you Westchester for giving me my lovely wife of 45 years and all the memories we and our children still share of being at Gradpa and Grandma’s house for the holidays.
Roy
Lennox High, Class of ’65
I moved to Westchester with my family in 1949 and lived there till I was in my 20’s. It was the best of both worlds small town and Los Angeles. I went to Westport Heights Elementary which was about three blocks from home on by grandma Airport Blvd. There was a store on Sepulveda called the Hillmart which was a grocery store and pharmacy and lunch counter and walking distance from the house. The Loyola and the Paradise theater’s were on Sepulveda and there was a Broadway department store and a Sav-on Drug store on the corner of Mancester and Sepulveda. There was a Tiny Nayllors caddy-corner from the Sav-ons. The local Stewart Bottle bar (aka Licquer store) on LaTierja and 74th was where we would walk to for penny candies. The bean fields were where we played pirates caught frogs and just had a great time which is now the 405 freeway. Spent on semester at Airport Junior High my brothers went there the oldest then went to Los Angeles High grandmas home and my other brother went to Westchester High. I went to Flintridge Sacred Heart Acadamy in Pasadena. Memories of Westchester bring many smiles to my face life was great in the 50’s and 60’s and into the 70’s
Great memory of Westchester. My father-in-law helped come up with the name, Orville Wright. Very busy community fellow. Westcehster still has an attraction because it is overall still in pretty good shape, close to most everything and is a magnet tor my wife, the Orville Wright and Westhester High kid, 1965 grad along with the memories that are so great.
My Family Moved to Westchester in 1967 from Inglewood, I was crushed leaving all my friends. But Westchester was a special city made friends quick and everyday was a good day. Went to Westport Heights then to Airport Jr High the last year it was open, only to be sent to Orville Wright. Went to WHS where I was fortunate enough to meet my future wife Lisa Smith. I have only wonderful memories of Westchester and would move back in a flash if I could.. If ya didn’t grow up there you wouldn’t understand..
Noreen Yakos
I live in Iowa now, but remember westchester so well. All the memories and all the different places. Graduated from whs in 1964 and look forward to our reunion next summer. Would love to hear from a fellow westchester native.
Hi Noreen—I remember you from 98th street school and the girl scouts.
Airport and 77th before the 405 freeway and the extended airport over to the otherside of Sepulveda. Great place to grow up. The Loyola and the Paradice theatres Tiny Naylors on the corner of Manchester and Sepulvada, Savon’s drugstore the Broadway the the Hilltop Pharmacy/grocery store. On and On and On I could go. Went to Westport Heights and Airport Jr High then off to school in Pasadena. Great memories!
Hello Noreen,
I’m not a Westchester native, but my wife and her parents and four siblings are. The old home place on the southwest corner of 80th and Dunfield that sat up on an elevated yard still stands afer sixty plus years. My wife, Juanita Miller Hand graduated from Westchester in ’65. Her Dad was Scotty Miller, Honorary Mayor in 1964 and Chamber of Commerce president. All the children, like their mom and dad, were very active in Westchester. Dad died last August at 94. Juanita now has MS, but she is a grandmother’s grandma. Her four grand kids adore her. We were married at 20 (I’m 20 hours older) and over the years, Westchester was a place for Thanksgiving and Christmas family gatherings that provided memories for us and our children. The last of the family left Westchester for good in 1995. We still go back and visit. I graduated from Lennox in ’65, we did the Navy from ’68 thru ’72 and then I graduated from Pepperdine in ’75. The Miller’s were a close knit family, and they set the example for Juanita and I. Westchester is still a good place to live if you are wanting to be close to LA downtown, LAX, the ocean air and the need for a freeway.
We moved to Westchester in the sixty’s my father built Westchester Golf Course. I now live in Kansas City, but go back each year to see my friends. L.A. will always be home.
Did you live on la tijera?
I did and I remember your family. Right across the street.
Hey Jim, DId you live on La Tijera near the Seandouvies?
Hey, Jim! I remember you as Jimmy from old St. Anastasia days.
1948 to 1970 on Airport Blvd. It is my home and in my heart always
We lived in Westchester on Isis ave. from 1952 to 1962. I attended Osage Ave. school, and Airport Jr, High, before we moved to Upland. Seems Saturday was spent at the Paradise theater matinee…it cost a whopping 35 cents. We would always go across the street first a buy huge bags of popcorn, candy, and/or White Rock sodas for a dime…then go watch a double feature plus lots of cartoons….that’s back when they had a cry room for young mothers with young children as well as ushers.
I remember playing in the “Gully”, the area just below the LaTejjaira bridge, which is nit the SD freeway. As kids we sat on the hill and watched the steam shovels excavate the freeway pathway, and when they laid the first sewer pipeline, we would play in the long columns of pipe.
I loved it when I got to go to Karls (sp?) toy Store as they had the neatest toys. I got my fist skate board there… a little red board with metal wheels as I recall. The also had the best selection of Shueco wind up cars, and Cox Thimbledrome airplanes…crashed a few of those at Osage!
Hula Hoops, over the line, hide and seek, playing army, Rat Fink, bomb shelters, Curry’s Ice Cream, Little League, Playa Del Ray…lots and lots of wonderful memories.
I used to love Karl’s! I would always go there to buy Estes rockets! Then have lunch at pizza napoli!
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Karl’s was a favorite of mine as well. I remember buying numerous paper kites, rolls of string and plastic put together models. I bought 2 or 3 of the F-104 Starfighter model because I seemed to screw up some how putting it together. I always seemed to buy some Testors paint in the little glass jars too.
My favorite lunch was the Napoli’s meatball sandwich and whenever I had the money, Napoli’s was the place to be and NOT McD’s !!
I agree about pizza napoli! I always got the Italian cold cut! I loved the older guy who worked there i think his name was Lenny
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It was Vinny, I think.
Flying large kites on that cool ocean breezy day from my house, until it was a dot.
wow.. love all your memories..brought back lotsa of places I had forgotten..went t
o cowan, orville wright, then graduated class of 1965..the 60s were the best Cheryl hummel williamson
just noticed this website boy lots of old memories, say a post by pat caspary, any relation to mike caspary? I used to work with mike
Paul, I think you lived across from us on Naylor Ave (The Murphy’s). Hearing your brother Ricky play accordion all the time inspired me to take lessons from Bob Mascagino who your Mom recommended (not sure on the spelling) in Hawthorne and Bob was just the nicest guy / teacher you could ever hope for. I remember that one night some guy drove a car through your brick wall!
My family lived in Westchester from 1955 to 1972 when the airport took our house. I went to Loyola Village, Orville Wright and graduated from Westchester High School. After we left I used to come back periodically and open the door to the house with the key I kept and still have. It set off alarms but no one ever came. I will never forget the day I drove by and the house was gone. It still brings a tear to my eye. For a long time the streets were still there even though the houses were not but even that is gone now.
I remember going to the movies at the Paradise and Loyola theaters, eating at Hamburger Handout, Sportsnight at Orville Wright where we would take time out from dancing or playing in the gym to watch Star Trek on the TV. The dances at the Y I had to sneak out because my mother wouldn’t let me go to them. The senior lawn at Westchester High and football games on Friday nights. It was a wonderful place to grow up.
I lived in Westchester from about 1957 to 1974, when the airport took our house (like many of the writers here). I attended Loyola Village, Wright Jr. High, and Westchester High.
I remember toy Palace, owned and run by Gus and Helen. They never charged tax! I used to go there all the time and play with their toys.
Used to live on La Tijera, west of Westchester Park. Used to go there all the time as kids – riding our bikes or walking. We used to go everywhere on our own, as long as we were inside by the time the streetlights came on.
I remember Mrs. Sheehy and Miss Koster at Loyola Village, and Mr. Ruben and Mr. Brierly at Wright, as well as Mr. Hefner.
I drove by the place I used to live. It’s all overgrown. You can barely see the street. I remember the street being so wide, my house reached by steps climbing up from the street. It’s hard to imagine what it was like looking at the place now.
In high school we called it “Deadchester”, but when I was in elementary school, it was an easy and safe place to live.
Sara, my name is Tricia. I lived on 94th place. One of my best childhood friends lived on La Tijera- Scot Paul. I was born there, lived in the same house til 1975 when we sold out to the airport and we moved to 80th and Campion- 40 years straight in Westchester. I too remember Mrs. Sheehy. She was my 6th grade teacher. I remember dancing around the may pole at Loyola Village and playing on the rings.
Miss Koster was my Fifth Grade teacher at L.V.
Did anyone have Mrs. Cunningham for Sixth Grade teacher at L.V. I always wanted to tell her that I became an elementary teacher.
Hi Sara I’m pretty sure I lived next door to you on La Tijera. Brooke
I went to dances at the Y and at Westchester Park. Once they had the Seeds at the park who already had a hit with “I Got a Line on You.”
The group “Spirit” had that hit song “I Got A Line On You”. The Seeds did Pushin Too Hard, The Farmer, I Can’t Seem To Make You Mine. Just an fyi.
I believe the Seeds was “ Pushin too Hard”
Spirit had a hit with “ I Got a Line on You”
I’ve really enjoyed reading these postings, but hope someone can provide the answer to a question that has been nagging me for some time. In the late 50’s, my parents used to drive up Sepulveda from Manhattan Beach to a large discount store on the east side of Sepulveda Blvd., north of the airport but south of Manchester. It was a 1-story corner building as I recall, and seemed to sell a little bit of everything (but not groceries). Does anyone know the name of the store? I graduated from Loyola University in ’67 but don’t know if it had already disappeared by then. Thanks for any assistance.
I think it might of been Fedco,Zody’s or White Front,ring abell? Linda Felis
I believe the store on Sepulveda, just north of the Paradise Theater, may have been Phillips Department Store. Also, in El Segundo, on the north east corner of Sepulveda and Mariposa was another department store known as Leonard’s.
Perhaps the of the store was Phillips? Maybe not but it was on the right hand side of sepulveda by the Marina Bank.
Mayfair grocery store
Debbie Snook,
I lived on Alverstone about 7 houses from you. I think I babysat you at some time. Nice to see your name and am hoping you are well and thriving.
Quigley’s (spelling may be incorrect?) was not a corner store as mentioned by Robert, but it was in that area on the East side of Sepulveda Blvd. In the early ’50 my family lived next door to the owners on W. 85th Pl. The store was what you might call a five and dime or small variety store, selling everything from clothing, tools, small appliances and a tiny garden section. The owners had two daughters and I remember being allowed to enter the store with them before opening on occasion and getting to snoop around when no customers were there.
Zodys
Nah, we never had a Zody’s in Westchester. And the Mayfair was on the opposite side of Sepulveda.
I
I am Myrna Mallek-Roth, class of early 1964. I have been looking for my lab partner for many years. His name is GARY LLOYD. His father was a banker. He had a girlfriend one year older by the name of Pam, I believe. PLEASE does anyone know anything about him. I believe he lived in Lake Forest in Orange County at one time. Janice Bauer Fickett from the latest 50th reunion class of ’63 checked for me and believes he might be deceased. Does anyone know his whereabouts?? All your memories of Westchester were great! Thanks so much for taking me back to my childhood. Myrna.
Welcome, Myrna! I hope someone answers you. I will give a shout out via email to a few folks that may know.
Hi Myrna—It’s been a long time since you posted, so I hope you get this. Don’t know if you remember me—Francine Kane–now Fran Greenbaum. I graduated the summer of ’64 from WHS. Have been getting together with a group of 6th grade graduates of 98th Street School—many of them also went to WHS with me…Jackie Grace De Jong, Patricia McKay Bray, Linda Vizzini, Michael Kline, Noreen Viviano Yakos,, Mary Bestor, and some others. I live in Mission Viejo (Orange County)—email is: doreegirl.fran@aol.com. We live all over the place but manage to have fun get togethers!
Great stuff folks. Lived in PDR but of course rode my bike to O.W.J.H. and had many friends in Westchester. Best Sub sandwiches since man stood upright was the sub shop on La Tijera called Andys ( I Think) Graduated in ’74 I asked my buddy Hog ) Mike Hagiwara why we never went to Manhattan beach 🙂
Go Comets
Born and grew up in Westchester 50’s thru the 70s.. Like A scene out of leave it to beaver! My three sons, father knows best , The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet all rolled into one.
Every thing was good, times were good then, everyone was cool They drove 49 2 door ford sedans. went to the “shack” late night when everything was closed down.and the football game was over. It was a dream. wasn’t it?
Well,ya , but then you had the, Vietnam war and other fun stuff that would not be ignored. The nightmare of real life. Could go on forever.
For now it’s all good.
Are you the Jim Vaughn from Alverstone?, The 9500 block of Alverstone Ave was a great street to grow up on before LAX gobbled it up and turned it into a taxi waiting zone. I still remember the 8mm movie with music soundtrack you made back in the 50’s. Pure genius.
9233 Earhart Avenue is where we lived. 1960 to March 12, 1969. Damn eminent domain. Westchester Elementary closed a year or 2 before. They bussed us to Osage Elem. Loved Hamburger Handout. Mom said their burgers were made of horse meat. l think she said that to freak us out. l remember spending our birthday money at Karl’s Toy Store. $5 went a long way back then. When l got my first car, l drove back there to see nothing but empty lots. The Chinese elm tree l thought was huge was actually average. Those huge sloping curbs l was so afraid to ride down with my roller skates, ha, a tiny bump. Sometimes l wish l could go back in time with Peabody’s Time Machine.
I can relate Paula, I grew up at 9401 Hoxey and 9331 Goebel Ave.’s
Both homes now gone for same airport needs. Yes, that machine would come in real handy right about now.
Good memories Paula loved the Hamburger handout and it was like a giant food mart different foods. Lived on 77th and Airport Blvd between La Tiejra and the bean fields which turned into the 405. Stewarts Bottle Bar was the licquer store with the best candies and the Hillmart all within walking or bike distance.. my street 77th had the start of the pathways/walkways that went to 74th st. best way to get thru the neighbor hood
I went to Westport Heights three blocks to walk to elementary school. We moved to Westchester in 1949 and saw lots of changes not all for the best. Tiny Naylors on Manchester and Sepulveda and karls toys. Airport Jr High one semester then went to school in the hills above Pasadena. The LAX was already starting to expand and Playa Del Rey was giving up to the airport expansion.
I miss the freedom we had in that time , the feeling of safety. Thanks for sharing your memories Paula
I moved from Inglewood to Westchester in the late 60’s. My family lived there until 1973. I went to Kentwood Elementary and then did summer school at Orville Wright before we moved. I have lots of great memories from Westchester (and Inglewood). We rode out bikes *everywhere*. We did *so* many things. I threw papers for the Westchester Journal. You would throw them to every house in your assigned area and then go around for donations. We would take the money we made and go buy junk food at the liquor store on the corner of Manchester and Lincoln, or ride our bikes down Lincoln and buy stuff at the curio shops on the pier in Marina del Rey. Sometimes we’d ride to Venice. We’d fish on the pier in Marina del Rey, too, or go body surf at Toe’s Beach. I was a regular at Karl’s Toys. They sold chemicals for home chemistry sets. We used to buy them to see if they would light on fire. I was a regular at the tropical fish store, too. For us it was pure entertainment. Never bought a thing there. There was a record store around there. I picked up Black Sabbath and Led Zepplin and Humble Pie among other albums. Lizard hunting was a big past time. Blue-bellies and alligators. So was making jumps for our bikes. Often on the trails at Loyola. Evel Kneivel reigned. Whenever I threw a football it was always “Roman Gabriel back to pass.” Then there was the YMCA stuff — Indian Guides and Gra-Y, and swimming at the Westchester Y. A guy named Karl who seemed old at the time but probably wasn’t used to manage the pool. I remember that it looked like he had a rug glued on him. One time I was swimming underwater at the bottom of the deep end and saw a Baby Ruth bar. Except it wasn’t. It was “real.” I had to tell Karl twice, and then he blew his whistle. And that was it; everyone out of the pool. I wished I had kept it a secret. The candles at Christmas. A friend of ours had a candle and instead of putting his last name in front of the candle in big block letters like everyone else he put “Humbug.” There’s so much more. It was a great time.
Hi, Chris my name is Eliana, I am from Brasil I live in Rio de Janeiro, my father was a pilot at Varig Air Lines and I lived 3 years in Los Angeles, California , in Westchester , W 81st St my house number was 6460 I studied in Kentwood Elementary School, and I remenber of my teacher`s name: Mrs Harris in 1969-70. And I had 2 best friends who studied and livied in Westchester too, there names was Janet and Susan Johnson.Also a had other 2 friends that was my neighbors Vicky and Kathy. The only friend that I new the hole name was Brandon Cruz because of being famous and having to leave some classes for recording Hulk as Eddie’s son and some friends who were my best friends at the time. I have this picture of the class.
Maybe you or one of you may remember me. I would be immensely thankful if someone coming into contact me so I can find my friends.
I wrote for the college but did not received any answer back.
I know some of you in this photo, but I dont remember the last name so I can find in Facebook.
Thanks Eliana
If you answer me by e-mail a will send the picture of my classroom.
Hi Eliana. I hope you see this, considering you last seem to have written in 2015. We had a friend, and distant relative named Maria Verbik whose also went by Maruja Verbik. She was from Ecuador. Like you, she also worked at Varig Air Lines. Later she worked at Ecuatoriana Air Lines Did you know her? Our family lived in Westchester from 1965 till 2013. Me and my sisters moved away from home starting in around 1978 but my parents stayed in the same home until they passed away. Lots of memories going to St. Anastasia school, St. Bernard’s High School, Westchester High School, going to dances at Westchester Park, dances at the YMCA, dances at the Jewish Temple, watching the Roosters and The Seeds and others at those dances, working at the Swedish Inn Smorgasbord, working at the Sears Westchester Catalog Store, working at the Sears Inglewood gas station, hanging out at D&W beach. So much to remember…
Wow Chris! Sounds pretty much like we had the same childhood! !!!! I lived in Westchester from When I was born in 1961 to 1977
Hey Chris:
I don’t think we knew one another but we grew up in Westchester around the same time. You went to Kentwood while I went to Westport Heights. Just because we lived on different sides of Sepulveda Blvd. I also attended Orville Wright both in Summer school and regular.
Your memories of Karl’s match mine closely except instead of chemistry stuff it was model planes and the cheap paper and pine wood kites. We went to the Loyola area to run our dogs between the college and Hughes aircraft. All gone now. The memories of the “Y” bring back mine of swimming lessons and the “scary” diving board.
It would have been ideal had we known each other but the memories still compensate some. Thank so much for those. Take Care.
Charles Jackson
Westchester 1962-1977
Even though I left Westchester a long time ago, I still consider Westchester my home. I get back there a few times a year and every time I do I get flooded with memories. I have great memories of watching airplanes with my father and getting hooked on airplanes! Had wonderful teachers at Westport Heights, Orville Wright and WHS. Graduated in 1974. Rob Duran, if you see this posting our 40 year reunion is being held on August 9. Loved going to the HIllmart, Sav-on for and ice cream cone. Free movies at the Loyola Theater, thanks to Marina Federal Savings. I could go on and on and on. I read other’s memories each day in the Westchester California Memories Facebook group page. Westchester was a wonderful place to grow up and and I am honored to have friends just like all of you! We are all family!
Leonard’s?
I lived in westchester during the 80’s and attended St. A’s. someone mentioned the witch and we had a westchester witch in the 80’s too. Anyone remember the cat lady? I worked at Hillmart How about Friday lunches at Bob’s Big Boy?
My name is John Murphy I lived on 88th near visitation across the street from Emerson Manor on West lawn and I remember the cat lady we moved away and 75 Lynn the airport took our house. But I remember the cat lady she used to walk everywhere kind of reminded me of the witch in The Wizard of Oz. Cool memory she had lots of cats we used to follow her to her house to see what she was doing.
Ok representing the smith family Denny checking in…..seven of us, free shows sees candy, our family had our photo across from Karl’s at Davis men tire photography……lums pick burger, Phil’s liquor store, Westchester music, vanilla cokes up on top of Broadway…..penny machines at newberrys and the ramp up back at Mayfair market……sportsville and sportsden………little league over by Centinella drive in before we built it by Cowan ave school…..and yes those red candles at Xmas…phenceart@yahoo.com……and still playing in the gillis 45 years later
Denny your still playing but you have never gotten your “R” Rating
😉
One Huge difference is back then we all rode bikes EVERYWHERE!
Ron I talked to Hoggie and some of the boys about 2 weeks ago ( yes we were all on bikes) I heard about the 40th might try and get down after dinner…
and still no “A” in last name :0
Heck call me what you want as long as you call me to dinner I always said!
ok what about that PDR crowd.
Rob Duron
Great memories I was over at the Stewarts Bottle bar on la Tijera and the hilltop, broadway and newberries great memories. lived at 77th and Airport Blvd, mom worked for Airesearch on Sepluveda.
My memories include much of what Doug Tally relates. The bomb shelter! I went to Cowan Ave until the 4th grade and then my parents pulled me from public school and put me in church school. My kindergarten teacher was Mrs. DeBrune (sp?). I remember standing at fence looking over the airfield of Hughes Aircraft. A kid told me that what we were seeing was Japan and that we were at war with them! I started walking to school alone my second day of kindergarten. We had a nice house and a big back yard. I had 3 dogs, one at a time, at that house.
My friends and I played over the line on Kentwood near 80th. I remember the Helm’s truck coming down the street and the driver blowing the whistle. I think the donuts were 5 cents. People would put a cardboard “H” in the window if they wanted a loaf of bread that day. I remember the SavOn and the day they had three candy bars for 10 cents. They were a nickel each on all the other days. The ice cream truck was owned by a guy who lived in a house on the first street behind the May Company. My mother did not let us get ice cream very often, but she was OK with a donut or two each week.
When I was 5 my dad took me to see “The Spirit of St. Louis” at the other theater at the south end of Westchester’s “main street.” I was five and my parents dressed me in a little shorts outfit with a little cap and suspenders. My dad was an engineer at North American Aviation in El Segundo. He had been inspired to become an engineer at the age of 13 when Lindbergh made his New York to Paris flight. He really wanted to fly for the Army Air Corps but had some minor issue with his peripheral vision in one eye so he didn’t make it. He told everyone that if he couldn’t fly em he would build em.
My grandparents moved the Westchester from Minnesota when I was 7. They bought a house on Gonzaga near 83rd for $14,000. My mother and father divorced in 1969 and we (mother) moved into that house afterwards.
My 3rd grade teacher had moved into a house on Gonzaga across the street from my grandparents house with her husband. It was neat to see her nearly every time I was over at the grandparents house.
When I was a kid I would go over the the Gonzaga house every Saturday to take care of the yard. I had to help my dad mow the lawn over at Kentwood first. Then one of my parents would drive me to my grandparents house to work there.I mowed, edged, weeded and trimmed and was paid $1 and then I got to go to Karl’s to buy a Hardy Boys book for that same dollar. I bought models there quite frequently and had the store shelves memorized dreaming about the next dozen models.
Like my dad, many men had workshops in their garages. I would take my dog out for walks at night and see lights on in many garages. In the summer the voice of Vin Scully and Jerry Dogit (sp?) reverberating out on the street. In the fall his voice was replaced by that of Chick Hern. I remember going to a lot of Dodger games. The father of one of my best friends had company season tickets and he would take me to a lot of games as my dad did also. Don Drysdale, Sandy Kofax, Maury Wills and other names I’ve forgotten. I remember Drysdale being one of the best hitting pitchers of all time. They would put him in as a pinch hitter.
I remember the Hamburger Handout. It sat up on a little hill and the pavement was in lousy shape, with dirt and potholes, especially at the bottom of the hill. We didn’t get to go very often, but it was lots of fun when we did. The hamburgers cost 19 cents. There was a place east of La Cienega and Stockton called “The Witch’s Stand” and it was much better, but more expensive as well.
I remember my parents buying the house we were in for $30,000 and the mortgage was $100 a month. My dad had done a lot of work on the house I spent my first 5 years in. It was located near 83rd and Stewart. My dad built a garage, moved some walls around, put in new windows and apparently made enough money to buy the house over on Kentwood.
I took my first backpacking trip in 1963 in the Sierra while in Boy Scout Camp Wolverton. It got me to thinking about living somewhere else when I got older. I returned to Wolverton in 1965 after spending 1964 at Camp Emerald Bay. It was a bit to “preppy” for me. I remember the last evening’s camp fire and not wanting to leave. It was a precursor to what I did once I left Westchester,, for the last time in 1973.
It was a short walk to Orville Wright from home. I played in band and Mr. Bright was the music teacher. I remember being in band when the Kennedy assassination was announced over the PA.
I then went to Westchester High School and did not like high school at all. School “society” resembled a “caste system.” It was all based on “coolness,” athletic ability, looks etc. There were so many immature kids there and my first semester of college was incredible. None of those idiots were around and I could finally concentrate on school.
I spent a summer on camp staff at Camp Wolverton for a summer. Following that I knew for sure I wanted to move away from southern California as soon as possible. I spent one semester out of state in school and then had to come back as I had to sit out a semester before beginning my junior year. I left Westchester for the last time in 1973.
I moved around the country and lived in two towns of less than 700 people in isolated areas. I moved back to California to be closer to family, but not too close. I was in a town of 690 people when I first moved back. Later I moved to a town of 4500 and it was the big city to me. My mother picked me to take care of all of her affairs in the early 90’s in spite of me being the youngest. I traveled to Westchester every other year for Christmas, with the other year being with my wife’s parents. As soon as I moved back to CA I made trips down to maintain the house. It was a 6 hour plus drive and I didn’t care to drive south of the I-5/CA 14 junction, but I persevered. I had a sister, a bunch of cousins, my dad and other family there also. I would come home and put up my mother;s “candle” out on the lawn. I remember the tour busses that used to drive through Westchester during Christmas to bring people to see the candles on street after street.
My cousins moved away, except for two of them, my dad died 25 years ago, my oldest sister is gone and the remaining family is no longer close. My mother died a couple of years ago and I took on the task of selling the house. We put some money into it, including taking out the carpeting and having the hardwood floors refinished. The floors were one feature that stood out to the buyers. We had an offer with all the financing lined up within two weeks of listing the house. Escrow was a whirlwind. El Segundo and Westchester are sought out by home buyers and we lucked out because of it. This house that had been in the family for 55 years when I sold it. I thought it would be tough to drive away from it, but it really wasn’t.
I went down to Westchester to close out my mother’s bank accounts and pull everything out of her safe deposit box after the house sold. I drove around a bit knowing I would be seeing the area for what my well be the last time. I don’t have any reason to go back anymore. I have a tough time driving in the city, or at least I prefer not to.
HELLO THERE EVERYONE, I RECENTLY CAME ACROSS SOME OLD FLIGHT LOGS I GUESS THEY WERE CALLED… YEARBOOKS? THEY ARE FROM AIRPORT JR HIGH FOR THE YEARS OF 61′ 62′ 63′ 64’…. THEY HAVE SOME WATER DAMAGE AND I THINK THERE MIGHT BE A FEW PAGES MISSING FROM A FEW OF THEM BUT I CANT SEE JUST TOSSING THEM, THEY LOOKED LIKE THEY BELONGED TO AN ELOISE
I went to Airport as did my brother Robert Holmes during that time. Lived on 77th and Airport Blvd
What find!!
You might want to leave this same message on the “Classmates” website. This “Eloise” might want to recover them if possible.
I lived on Lilienthal ave from 1960 to 1978. Does anyone remember the Cavalier restaurant?
My parents went there often, I think they liked the bar. My wife & Had dinner there many times after we were married, moved away from Westchester over 36 yrs ago. Is the Cavalier still there??
No, they finally tore it down. In its place is a McDonald’s.
Yes! The mother of one of my good friends worked there for years as the hostess.
It’s so touching and interesting reading these memories of Westchester. My experience was a little different from most here, having been born in the early 80s. I lived in Westchester until college, and still visit my parents who live there currently. I went to Cowan and Orville Wright. In elementary school, I had a wonderful experience, not unlike the other posters here — good teachers, lots of friends, felt safe in the neighborhood. Even through the early 90s, most of my friends and I (the boys at least) walked and rode our bikes in the neighborhood without concern. As far as I know, nothing bad happened to anyone. It still feels relatively safe.
The salient thing reading these comments is how much of an idyllic, classical 50s kind of neighborhood Westchester once was. I remember as a kid feeling a little bit of that 50s vibe, like when visiting my friends’ grandparents homes, or the old movie theater on Manchester and Sepulveda, or Dinah’s, or especially the Westchester Triangle. Karl’s Toys was still around, but on its last legs. There wasn’t much else going on there, and it’s kind of a sad strip of storefronts now. But when I was a kid, it still had some of that vitality from the old days. I always thought it looked like a movie set of a quintessential American main street, like something used for the Andy Griffith show or Twilight Zone or something.
Things changed for me when I got to Orville Wright. That school was rough back then. There were still kids from the neighborhood attending, but the vast majority were bussed in. Bussing isn’t necessarily bad, and in fact, a lot of the kids from the neighborhood were rougher than the bussed kids, but the mishmash of kids from vastly different cultures and communities, at least in this particular situation, didn’t work well. Many of the families in the neighborhood, by the 90s, sent their kids to private schools if they could afford to, so a lot of the kids from the neighborhood who went to Orville were from less well off families, or families that didn’t know any better. Nonetheless, I still had fun. It just wasn’t wholesome, happy fun necessarily. My parents were concerned enough, though, to send me to schools outside of the neighborhood for high school.
I remember that a lot of kids in Westchester in the 90s were living in the homes of their grandparents, with their parents, who for whatever reasons hadn’t moved out. Can you imagine this being the case in the 50s or 60s?? While Westchester was probably squarely middle class before, there were a lot of lower middle class and even outright poor families in the 90s. LA was pretty depressed in the 90s, a lot of that due to the collapse of the aerospace industry, which was sorely felt in Westchester for obvious reasons.
Pretty much all those old families, it seems to me, are gone now. As far as wealth and class, the neighborhood has really picked up. It’s probably one of the last ‘affordable’ neighborhoods on the westside in LA, but home prices have shot up in recent years, and you can tell lots of young families, or younger people with more contemporary tastes, have moved in. But when I was a kid, it felt like everyone in Westchester was old. And back then, they probably were. It was heavily populated by pre-baby boomers, who by the 2000s had mostly passed away.
Westchester is an interesting place, kind of because of how uninteresting it is. It’s a little bit of a no-man’s land, between the south bay, Inglewood, and the real westside of LA — places with real, distinct cultures, each of which blend together in Westchester. It’s interesting to hear people talk about it like it’s a real thing. I don’t think people living there now, especially those who’ve just moved there, feel this kind of attachment to it. The city of LA has really branched out, and Westchester has been pretty much submerged by this. There’s no more Hill Mart, but there’s a Bristol Farms, and soon to be a Whole Foods in Playa Vista. There’s also a huge Youtube studio in Playa Vista, as well as other media and miscellaneous businesses. LMU has expanded, and now there’s Otis, the art school. Westchester sometimes even feels like a college town, with red cup keg parties on weekends.
It’s funny thinking this now, but when that Ralphs on Sepulveda was built, along with Starbucks and Blockbuster and all that, we felt like civilization had finally arrived, that’s how desperate we were for some action in Westchester, aka Deadchester, a pretty different scene from what it sounds like Westchester was like in the post-war years. But despite that I arrived late in the game, I’m happy to have had a little taste of the vestiges that charming time.
Stephen, I can identify very much with your comments. I was born in 1981, and grew up on the other side of Lincoln, right on the border of Playa del Rey, so I was a kid in the neighborhood at the same time you were (I think of Westchester and PDR as one big continuous neighborhood, which I’m sure would horrify some of the snobs living up on the bluffs in PDR!) Westchester was weirdly devoid of kids in those days, as you observed. It seemed like there were empty-nesters in almost every house.
I totally agree that Westchester in the 1980s had – and honestly still has today – a very strong whiff of the 1950s. Friends who visited me there said it felt like the California version of Mayberry. The commercial district on Sepulveda and the Manchester Triangle area was kind of stumbling along for most of my youth – it feels much busier today than it did back then. You always had the feeling that it had really been booming in the 1950s and 1960s, but had lost its way as the neighborhood aged and things like Fox Hills Mall opened up a short drive away.
Many of our neighbors often said that Westchester never recovered from the home demolitions of the 1970s, when the airport was condemning properties to try and stave off noise lawsuits. Our area saw some condemnations – mostly south of 91st Street – but nothing like the massive campaigns that gutted the area between Sepulveda and Airport Blvd, or the Surfridge area of Playa del Rey. Our house on West 90th was just a few blocks from the dividing line where the city arbitrarily stopped taking houses. When I was a kid in the 1980s, the street lights on the abandoned streets still glowed at night. My siblings and I used to call it the “haunted area” and it was a little eerie lying in bed, knowing that all those empty lots and ghostly streets were so close by.
I went to Loyola Village for elementary school, and in the 1980s it was a great, chummy little neighborhood school. It was severely under capacity back then as the baby boom had passed and the “echo boom” hadn’t hit yet. When it came time for junior high school in 1993, my folks sent me to private school – word had started to filter down from some of the parents of older kids in the neighborhood that Orville Wright and Westchester High were becoming more like inner-city schools. I had friends from Loyola Village who went on to Orville and to WHS, however, and they always claimed many of the stories were exaggerated and that things weren’t as bad as they were portrayed. Nowadays almost none of the kids in the neighborhood attend LAUSD schools beyond elementary school.
I moved to Chicago for college and stayed in the Midwest for many years, but I’ve come full circle and now live in the new apartments that were built a few years ago at Manchester and Pershing in PDR. There’s a vibrancy and energy in Westchester that was never there when I was a kid. Families are moving in like crazy, and old houses are getting fixed up (or even demolished and rebuilt). I can’t believe how much money some of the homes in the Kentwood area are going for now! My old neighborhood around Loyola Village School has a lot of “party houses” inhabited by groups of LMU students.
Everyone I talk to, however, loves Westchester. There’s something about the mid-century wholesomeness, the ocean air, and the easy access to just about everything that makes it an amazing place to live. When I came back to LA I knew I couldn’t live anywhere else.
Yep, you’re right about the housing prices. When the airport bought our house for $38,000 in 1968 that my parents had bought for $9,000 in 1947. Then the house they bought for $42,000 by Westchester High in 1968 and sold in 1989 for $385,000 was listed for close to $1,500,000 now!!!
It’s been fun reading all the memories. My folks bought their 1st house on Kittyhawk behind the library in 1942. I was born in 43 & have several baby pictures of me at that house. My dad worked at Lockheed Aircraft on P-38’s. He joined the service & became an aircraft mechanic so they sold the Kittyhawk house. I lived with my grandparents in Iowa until I was four while my mom lived on base with my dad at various Army Airforce bases around the US. In 1947 they bought another house at 7889 Naylor Ave. Sepulveda Blvd. was right behind our house. My parents both worked, dad was a flight instructor & my mom worked for the LA Examiner. I lived at a boarding school only coming home on week-ends for two yrs. I started 2nd grade at Westports Heights elementary when I started living at home & attended there through the 6th grade. I went to the old WHS/Jr Hi for one yr. in 1955. When Airport Jr Hi opened in 56 I started going there, Sepulveda was the cut off point. I was much closer to Orville Wright but still had to go to Airport. 1958-60 I attended the new Westchester Hi School. The class of 60 was the 1st class to graduate after attending all 3 yrs.
I started going to Sunday School at Weschester Lutheran Church on my own when I was about 10. At that time my parents didn’t go to church. I never missed Sunday School & still have a pin showing 5 yrs. of straight attendance. I later started going to Luther League at WLC. where I met a girl who would later become my wife. Suzanne & I have now been married for 51 yrs. & have 3 kids, 6 grandkids & two great grandkids.
My wife also grew up in Weschester, her dad Cap Schmidt owned Paradise Realty Co. & had several offices in Weschester & throughout the So Bay area.
My dad became an airline pilot & flew out of LAX for many yrs. They lived in their Naylor house until my dad’s death in 2000.
Like many, Weschester will always be my “hometown” that has left so many lasting great memories of growing up. I made the best friends while going to schools there. We had a group, Bruce Barnard, Jim Kelly, Gary Crowly. Mark Gateman & myself who ate lunch together almost everyday thru jr. & into hi school(until we discovered girls), sadly Mark Gateman & myself are the only ones still alive.
We flew our free-flight model airplanes in the bean fields & our control line planes at the park where the Y is now located. We played ball out in the street on Naylor Ave. We shopped at the Hillmart & Vons on 80th, went to the shows at the Loyola & Paradise. I think Vons is still there but time has taken a toll on the others.
Sue & I moved from Weschester over 36 yrs. ago & now live in rural Snohomish Washington & no longer have any ties to Weschester, but it’s still “Our Hometown”. Perry Baxter, Snohomish Wa.
Hi Perry, I hope you get this.. I’m Bruce’s son. You spoke of you dad flying, am I’m sure you knew my dad flew for TWA.. Did they know each other? Mark is still in Westchester, sadly his beautiful wife died last year. I’m living close to Westchester (Culver City) and drive through often.
Hello Brett. Did you ever see the letter I wrote you & your mom after Bruce passed away?? I still have a copy in my doc.file. There’s hardly a day goes by that I don’t think about your dad. We were best friends from the 7th grade on, met in 7th grade homeroom. He was my best man when Sue & I were married, which in two weeks will be 55 yrs ago (April 19th, 1963). Sue & I drove to Las Vegas when you folks got married. Yes, I knew about Mark’s wife, Sandy. We sat with Mark & Sandy at our 50th WHS reunion. I e-mail Mark very occasionally. Mark acts as the financial guy for our class reunions. Mark is the only one left of our little “click” we had all through school, Gary Crowley, Jim Kelly, Mark Gateman, your dad & myself. We had lunch together almost every day until we discovered girls. I met you one time that I can remember when you were 12 or 13. Bruce & Vicky had us over for dinner on one of our trips down to LA after moving to Washington State. I remember your dad showing me some very nice pictures you had drawn. I felt very bad when I heard your dad was sick. I called & talked with him but never knew he was a bad as he was. I called back a couple weeks later & found out he had passed. If I had known I would have flown down for the funeral. Yes, your dad & I had some great times. My 1st date with Sue was a double date with your dad & if I remember right his date was Virginia Savory. We went to Johnny Mathis at the Hollywood Bowl. Thanks for getting in touch, if you never saw the letter I wrote let me know & I’ll e-mail you a copy.
Perry Baxter, Snohomish Wa.
Perry, thank you so much for replying.. Just reading that made me think of the times you must have had. My dad was pretty private at times, but did talk about the fun he had growing up. Please send me that letter, I’d love to read it and share stories with you. My email is b.barnard616@yahoo.com.. Looking forward to hearing from you!
The Cavilear is long gone sad to say!
This is Jim Lemon. I lived on Lilienthal ave
James:
Although we never knew each other, your comments once again have brought back the memories I have had about Westchester. I, too, miss the atmosphere of the “Mayberry” of California. Although my memories are of a different era, (1960-1974), your descriptions concerning that of Westchester are not that much different than mine.
I hope you will always keep your memories of Westchester as I have. Although we can never bring back the actualities of our respective eras, my memories of the Westchester I grew up in will never fade. Take Care.
Charles Jackson
A Westchester Original
The store’s name was Leonard’s.
Acrobfrom the Hacienda hotel.
Yes it was Leanords I worked in the beauty shop in 1966
Yes, Leonard’s in El Segundo across the street from Woody’s Smorgasburger.
My wife, Suzanne worked at Leonard’s one Christmas season. She worked in glassware’s & small appliances. All the payments went into a vacuum tube & were sucked to the office. They had free gift wrapping & she did a lot of it.
LEONARDS WAS IN EL SEGUNDO. GOT MY LEVI’S THERE. FELIX ESCALANTE. LEFT THE WATTS RIOTS AND MOVED TO CHESTER IN 1965. REMEMBER MAYFAIR MARKET? STILL IN TOUCH WITH MY GREAT FRIEND RICK PREHODA. I SAW BOB ORABONA’S NAME ON THIS. HE TURNED ME ON TO THE CREAM AND GINGER BAKER. I REMEMBER WHEN THEY NITROED WESTCHESTER ELEMENTARY AFTER THE AIRPORT SNAKE OF ALL MY FRIENDS, WONDERFULL TO READ ALL THESE STORIES. MY 40TH. IS THIS YEAR. #54 SAYS “GO COMETS” AT ONE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL GAMES. WE TROTTED OUT A PEDAL CAR THAT LOOKED LIKE THE NAZI’S MESSERSCHMIT COMET. SHOULD OF KNOWN BETTER, SINCE LOT’S OF OUR BUDDIES WHERE GERMAN. SAD
TO HEAR THE PASSING OF PAUL AGA AND LATER HIS DAD BRUCE. SPENT HALF MY LITTLE CUBAN’S LIFE AT AND WITH THE AGAS. TOOK ME TO MY FIRST DODGER GAME. I COULD GO ON FOREVER. BUT! I’LL SPARE YOU.
Sorry to hear about the Agas. They went to Westchester Lutheran Church where we attended. Bruce Aga had a beautiful voice and sang many solos at the church service. That was 40+ yrs. ago.
I went to Airport Jr. High School in 1966-67 school year. Need photos of the school and yearbook. Thank you.
Hi Yvonne:
I’m a Westchester original homeboy. Born Sept 17 1955. My family and I lived on 76th Street just three houses down from Sepulveda Blvd. My father bought the house in 1954. My siblings and I attended Westport Heights Elementary School, Airport Jr. High School, and Westchester High School.
My oldest brother went to Airport Jr. High School from 1959 to1962, my second oldest brother went to Airport from 1963 to 1966 and my sister went there from 1966 to 1969. As the youngest, I went to Airport from 1967 to 1970 when it closed. I’ll have to look, but I do remember keeping all of my Flight Logs.
Hi Don,
I lived at 5812 W 76th street from 1961 till 1966
I ran across this looking for info on Airport Jr High.
I attended that crazy school during the early 60’s. Took a bus from Windsor Hills. What a gas that time was; Listening to The Beach Boys and the Beatles in KRLA, watching black and white TV, riding our bikes into the airport terminals, racing slot cars at Revell every Saturday, the first strawberry pie of the season at Marie Calendar’s of course comparing it to pies past, learning to surf in front of the Edison plant in Manhattan Beach, playing in the neighborhood now gone forever at the end of the LAX runways (Why didn’t they give those houses to deaf people?), growing the hottest radishes known to man in Agriculture class at Airport, learning Spanish from Mr Voss who I ran into 20 years later, going to the dances at the Y (the Roosters playing Sunshine of Your Love), wondering how the hell The Turtles managed to make real records, riding bikes to Toe’s beach and scoring Slurpies at the 7-11 up the hill with Pete Boyer.
Flash to 1992 when I bought a house a block from Lincoln and Manchester so my kids could go to Westchester High. The geography didn’t change much but the mood around those hills made me pine for a softer time when only cops carried guns and the word party hadn’t yet become a verb.
Took a memory ride through Westchester/Kentwood and surrounding areas with a old school bud a couple years ago. Just left for a second time after returning home to take care of mom. Tons of memories.
Grew up across the street from Westport Heights from 1971-1992. Westchester was a great town. I remember the bean fields, Bob’s Big Boy (yes I know it’s Playa Del Rey or Centinela), Westchester Park with it’s rocket ship tower playground, Westchester community pool, Loyola Theater, Compari’s Italian, House of Pies, the Broadway 2nd had on the roof, the two story Penny’s with diner (or was it Woolworths?), Sav-On’s drugs, Manny’s Cyclery at the triangle, Danny’s barber shop, Luv’s Pit BBQ (yes it was Ladera Heights), Hughes Aircraft, the abandoned Nike Missile battery in Playa Del Rey, Hilmart, Two Guy’s from Italy, Safeway then Standard Brand Paint Co, lazy days at Dockweiler, riding bikes the day after the 4th to collect un-exploded ordinance, riding bikes on the roof of Orville Wright, drivers ed trailers at WHS with the simulators, Centinela Drive in, Little King submarine sandwiches in Inglewood. I miss those days to say the least; when good clean fun could be had even on the slopes of a big city. Loved Westchester!
Great days. You forgot the Paradise Theatre and bowling alley. Went to Westport k-6 and one half of a semester at Airport Jr. Lived on 77th. Cruised the old neighborhood. Changes but still the same if that makes sense. Hit Stewart’s Bottle Bar, liquor store no penny candy to be found.
Sent from my HTC on T-Mobile 4G LTE
Woolworth’s had the two levels and lunch counter. JC Penney had two levels, too., but no diner. I worked at Woolworth’s for a while at the lunch counter. Bill Doherty washed dishes there. One of my sisters worked at St. Moritz Bakery and later at Penney’s. Ned Street worked at Penney’s, too, and later married my cousin from Minnesota when she moved to Santa Barbara after college!
Your words sparked a lot of memories
Class of 68!! Grew up on 76th street. My mom 95 years young still lives there. What a great town and time it was. We never knew how good we had it back then until we got older. A dollar sure went a long way. I could get a gallon of gas, a bottle of beer, pack of cigs and change back from a dollar. Wow!! Thank god for the memories because I have a ton. Gary
Just found this web page. I wonder if it is still alive. I’d like to reminisce a bit. Lived in PDR and still have a family presence there. Attended Orville Wright Jr HS and of course Westchester HS, winter class of 1966.
Yes, it is still alive! Thanks for stopping by. This is Debra Chandler. Attended Kentwood Elementary, Orville Wright Jr. High and a little bit of Westchester High. Was with class of ’75. Went on, eventually, to UCLA where I earned my doctorate in Comparative Education. Currently live in Gainesville, FL, but miss Westchester very much. Left in 1997.
Dennis Ryono! Scrolling through and finally, a familiar name. I remember you so well from OW and WHS. Hope you and yours are well.
Susan Stocker Asplund
Sus
I agree with Debra ….. it is still alive. I am Charles Jackson. See my comments in this section and others. Hope you like the site.
I grew up in Westchester, and I know some of those who have posted on this site, such as Pat Caspary (Hey, Pat! ), with whom I was friends in high school (St. Bernards), and Alan Sworski (who was in my brother’s class).
I went to St. Anastasia for grades 1 – 8, and then on to St. Bernards. Lots of fond memories of Westchester and Playa del Rey. It was a different world back then.
My Dad built our house on 89th Street, on the hill between Stanmoor and Rayford. It is still there, as the airport stopped buying up the houses just a block south of there.
I delivered papers for the Westchester News Advertiser.
I remember in the 1950s walking with my Dad and my brother up to Westchester High on Friday nights to watch football games. The football field was maybe 220 yards from our front door. The lights of the field lit up the night sky.
Halloween was great in Westchester.
Matinees at the Loyola and the Paradise. We’d buy our sugary crap at Sav-ons, because it was a lot cheaper than buying it at the theater.
I remember when Shopper’s Market on Lincoln was just a vacant lot, and there were donkey rides there. I remember when the Westchester Golf Course on Manchester was a huge vacant lot, and there was an old shack in the middle of it; and I remember all the scary tales that were told about that shack, and what would happen to you if you tried to sneak into it.
I remember when the Westchester Library was east of Sepulveda, and just west of La Tijera, on kind of a triangle of a block (just south of Karl’s Toys).
Someone mentioned the meatball sandwiches at Napoli’s. They were indeed the best!
I learned to drive on La Tijera, between Rayford and Stanmoor, because on that stretch of the road there were no homes, just bluffs on either side, with the back of the backyards at the top of the bluffs. It was like driving through a canyon.
Great memories.
Hello Chris, My name is Larry Marino. I grew up on Alvern Circle, (1951-1957) just behind the old Von’s market, which was actually built after my family moved in to the apartments. There are a lot of great memories of Westchester, but one memory in particular, that I remember most as a young boy, but cannot verify! My grandparents lived on Thornburn Ave, just east of La Tijera. I was there quite a bit and remember some kind of creek or canal just behind their apartment. This was long before the 405 was built. There was a bridge and a wooden walkway on La Tijera, which passed over this canal or whatever it was. Would you have any recollection of this? I was a freshman at St Bernards in 1962. Before that 8 years at St Jeromes’!
Tanya,
Thanks for sending! Yes, I worked at the Don Hillis Richfield😄 Your Dad was ill at that time at home, only met him once. Flo, used to bring me dinner sometimes (worked nights to start) then switched to days, worked with Joe Wilhem.
I so enjoyed working there.
At one time in early 70’s had my own Richfield station in San Jose.
I’ve never forgotten that job and the kindness Flo showed me!
The station is still there by the way, an Arco AM-PM.
Best, take care!
Great stuff! I’m a lot younger than most of you folks but I lived in Westchester from 1974-75 and went to Westport Heights for 4th grade (Mrs. Walters).
Does anyone remember when the first Concord jet landed at LAX?
I moved away long ago but on my way to a business trip to San Diego I went down the 405 and was astonished that Dinah’s Restaurant is still on Sepulveda. I would go there with my sister and mother when it was rare and appreciated treat to go out for dinner!
Thanks again for all the memories…those days are indeed missed…
Marc S.
Went with my mom and my son and parked our car on Imperial by the old original airport bldg. to watch the SST land at LAX I think it was around1973 or so. It was a sight to see with the nose of the plane kind of pointing down as it landed. It was totally exciting!!
Tonya Berger,
Wonderful memories we grew up in the same neighborhood. I lived on Airport and 77th on the corner from 1949 to 1971. I also went to Westport Heights Elementary, Mrs. Boatwright was my kindergarten teacher. My mom only went to your dads Richfield station to fill up Betsy, her 53 CHEVY station wagon. My brothers and all went to Airport Jr. High My brother Robert drove an old orange hearse with the Southern California surfing spots. We also lived on Ramsgate 9724 1/2. Never went to the Buggy Whip but bought all my penny candy at Stewart’s Bottle Barn and the Hilltop Market on Sepulveda. I lived in Thousand Oaks in 1971 summer and now live in Ventura. Thank you for sharing your memories.
I don’t remember when or even if the Concord ever made it to LAX. I thought, at least back then, the Concord was not allowed due to the extensive jet noise of take off and landing.
I also attended Westport Heights and had Ms Walters as a teacher. At the time, 1967, Walters taught 5th grade and I had Gladys Price for a forth grade teacher in 1966. Did you have Ms Townsend as a teacher or no? At the time, Townsend was dreaded by a lot of students but now that I recall the time, she wasn’t all that bad.
I use to go to the Dinah’s take-out at the side of the restaurant when I worked at Bob’s Chevron across the street. The station has long since disappeared because of the inevitable future and progress. I, too, am surprised Dinah’s still is in business. There take-out was always great when my co-workers and I were working on the week-ends at the station.
Like you, I will forever miss the good-ol-days of my youth and the community of Westchester!!
I transferred into Ms. Drott’s third grade class at Westport Heights in 1958. Beautiful teacher. After that, my teachers included Ms. Walters, Ms. Hinchcliff (spelling??), Ms. Price, and Ms. Losey. Mrs. Townsend taught the sixth grade. She had a reputation of being extremely strict, stern, and downright mean which caused the students to nickname her, “Shotgun Townsend.” Was she really that mean? I don’t know. I never had her as a teacher. Instead, Ms. Losey was my sixth grade teacher. She was a wonderful. It was like having Sheri Lewis as your teacher.
It is funny all of the little things you recall from those early classes. In Ms. Walters’ class, I remember churning cream into butter as part of a Thanksgiving Pilgrim project. We spread the butter on saltine crackers and ate it during class. Not healthy by today’s standards, but it sure was tasty. Ms. Price was a good teacher, but she had a very low tolerance threshold. If a student breached that threshold, she would approach the student from behind while he was seated at his desk, grab him by both shoulders, and shake him, making him look like a bobble doll. I used to quietly crack jokes to one of my buddies during class which always resulted in him bursting out in laughter, thus guaranteeing him a good brain rattling session from the teacher. Sorry, Jeff. On one occasion, Ms. Price administered her shaking punishment to the wrong student. This particular student had always seemed like a quiet, polite guy. I don’t remember what he did in class to provoke her, but she gave him an extreme shaking. In the midst of it, he suddenly stood up, turned around, punched her square in the nose, and ran out of the classroom. She stood there for several moments in total shock with her glasses dislodged and cockeyed across her face. Yeah, it was wrong, but it was definitely a “Kodak moment” forever embedded in my memory. He was suspended from school, and as far as I know, she ceased shaking students.
At Westport heights i had Gladys Price and Elizabeth Bauer.
Hello Charles, I looked it up and it was [1974 – 20th -28th October: Concorde 02 (F-WTSA) made a tour of the American Pacific coast, visiting London, Gander, Mexico City, San Francisco, Anchorage, Los Angeles, Lima, Bogota, Caracus, Las Palmas and Paris.]. That makes sense…I remember it was a school day and it was front page news in the LA Times.
Wow, Walters was there back in 1967. I only went for 4th grade (74-75) before moving to Culver City (a few miles away). Oddly enough I was the only black student in the class and this was before they started busing. I went back years later (80s) and Walters was still there and she told me about it.
Oh, another story…when I was nine I busted my head on the building site where Burger King (Manchester) is now. I was following older kids doing jumps on the dirt mounds with our bikes. Of course I didn’t get enough speed and ended up going over the handle bars with the bike landing on my head. Lots of blood but nothing serious…
Lots of great memories of Westchester. I’m here in north San Diego County, but Westchester is where my heart is. I do remember when the Mayfair Market burned down.
I have an interesting Westchester fact some of you may not know. I recently discovered that 2 Manson family members grew up in Westchester, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme and Patricia Krenwinkel. Squeaky attended Orville Wright and Westchester High, and I know that Krenwinkel at least attended Westchester High. In fact, on 82nd St, in front of Squeeky’s childhood home, you can still see her name etched in the cement. Squeeky was also apparently friends with Phil Hartman in school, another Westchester local; and sadly also a subject of tragedy. Maybe some of you came across these people at some point…
Unfortunately my sister knew both of them and attended school with them. She as many of the girls who knew or were friends were devastated and shocked by what they did. Such a horrible tragedy. What a great loss in Phil Hartman’s death as well.
My brother went to Airport Jr. High with Patricia. Her families home was one of many that LAX destroyed
We moved to Westchester in 1962 when my dad got a job as a civil engineer at the Marina del Rey Small Craft Harbors. Grew up on Villanova Ave across from Loyola village elem school. Went to Orville Wright and Westchester High. My parents used to make my sister and I walk with them on Sunday to attend church at the Congregationist Church on the corner of Rayford and Lincoln. I remember so many of the things mentioned in these posts but one of the things that made me laugh was the comments about thrill hill. Dave Gonzales used to take us in his dad’s station wagon for a great ride! Later he had his own bright orange van. It was tough finishing school with the beach so close. Jeff, Bruce, Marlene, Craig, Curt, Rachel – I’m sure you won’t see this but if you do, I hope you are all still enjoying life. Westchester was a great place to grow up.
i kind of miss the area, been gone since 1981. born and raised on regis way
Oh, such fond memories of my childhood in Winchester. We lived on Isis ave. just 6 houses from Osage. I remember the paper drives and the incinerator in the back yard.We used to play is the “gully” which is now the 405 freeway. We had a ball running through what we thought were giant concrete pipes as they constructed the freeway infrastructure.
I remember being picked up by the “Kiddie-land” fire truck on friends birthdays and taken to the amusement park to play all day. Then of course there was Carl’s toy store Curry’s Ice Cream shop, the Loyola and Paradise theaters for Saturday matinees…Loyola was 50 cents…Paradise was 35 cents.
My father used to take us fishing off the Bologna creek bridge and My mother would take us to Centenella park and we would pack a picnic and spend the day there with neighbors and friends.
We used to go and watch the airplanes land at Lax and I remember watching the first jet land…it was quite exciting…and LOUD.
Playa Del Rey was the beach we went to as well as Venice Beach…which was more kid friendly…no waves to speak of. Just up the road of course was POP, Pacific Ocean Park loved that place!
So many fond memories…..
Nice memories but you put Winchester not Westchester
Oh good grief…..WESTCHESTER!
Better! We want everyone to know our great town and school! What year are you? I am 65 summer
Probably got confused with the song “Winchester Cathedral” of that time.
I was 5 yrs. earlier S’60 my wife, Suzanne S’62. We both grew up in the Westport Heights area. I lived on Naylor & Sue on Glider. My parents bought the Naylor house in 1947. My dad was a pilot & flew out of LAX. We booth attended Westport Heights Elementary. Like everyone says Westchester was the greatest place to grow up. My wife & I met attending Luther League at Westchester Lutheran Church. We were married there in April of ’63. We moved to Washington State in Feb. of 78 & bought acreage so the kids could have horses, we also raised Angus cows. This was a big change from the Westchester lifestyle but one we’ve never regretted. We attended my 55th WHS reunion at the LAX Marriott in Sept. of 15. Lots of changes in the area. We always go to Tito’s Taco when in the area & wouldn’t miss Dinah’s.
Perry & Sue, Snohomish Wa.
Hi Perry. My family were members of Westchester Lutheran Church. My sisters Judy and Joan Simmons also attended Luther League at Westchester. The leader was Jerry Slathem. Do you remember them? Thanks, Gary Simmons
Hello Gary. Were Jerry & Thelma Simmons your parents?? We don’t remember your sisters but they were probably younger then us. We do remember Jerry & Thelma very well, in fact we gave Thelma the listing on my parents house when we sold it in the summer of 2000. If I remember right Thelma had an open house & Jerry came with her. Sue & I left for the day during the open house. WLC has changed a lot since we attended I was on the church council & headed up property mgmt. The council mtgs. sometimes went till 2AM. Perry
Does anyone remember attending a birthday party at Kiddieland? A firetruck would pick up all the kids and take them to the park for a day of fun…it was great. There was a great BBQ place on LaTijuara or Sepulveda…I don’t member… it something pit BBQ…it was awesome.
We used to walk to Jet Liquor to cash in our empty bottles for a whopping 2 cents…then we could buy things like a rabbits foot, or candy cigarettes,or bubble gum, jaw breakers, caps for our cap guns etc…it was such great fun, and we all used our imaginations during those 12 or so hours out playing every day…unlike the kids of today….who miss so much.
I love Westchester…and always will.
BBQ place was Chris & Pits.
It was the best!
Wasn’t it called Polydor’s (sp) BBQ, they had sawdust on the floors. It was at LaTijera & Airport. The Hughes Credit Union was at that location for a long time after that.
When we went there it was Chris & Pitts the building was yellow And there was sawdust on the floor.
I think it did become Chris & Pitts but I’m sure it was Polydor’s BBQ in the early 50’s. Went there often with my parents. Love’s later went in down on LaTijera & Centinella (late 60’s). I used to go to Peppy’s on Sepulveda, kitty-corner from the Hillmart. They had the best double decker hamburgers. I would order at home, ride my bike over & pick up at their take out window. My parents were always going out & I was on my own for dinner.
As kids growing up in Westchester, we all seemed to have lots of fun and lots of memories.
I was a “charter member” of Airport Jr. Hi, so to speak. Our class was the first to attend. Still have my 1956 “flight Log”. The dedication in the front says “Scientists tell us it won’t be long before we’ll be exploring space at first hand”. Looks like they were right.
I attended Airport the 1st year it was opened in 1956 also. I was in the 8th grade. I remember walking on wood planks because the paving wasn’t completed. Several of us would eat lunch on the athletic field & watch the cars at the corner of Airport & Arbor Vita. We could name everyone. Started WHS in the fall of 57 & our class was the 1st to attend all three yrs. & graduate S60. Great memories.
Yep, found your picture with the A-8’s in my 1956 annual……….
My best friend all the way from Jr. hi thru graduation was Bruce Barnard we were in the same home rooms. Bruce was my best man when were married in April of 63. Sadly Bruce past away about 5yrs. ago.
Russell Benedetti April 5, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Graduated 1964. Great memories
Hello Gary. We don’t remember your sisters but was Jerry & Thelma Simmons your parents?? We remember them well. In fact we gave Thelma the listing on my parents house on Naylor Ave. when we sold it in the summer of 2000. I think your sisters were younger then us. After we were married we were in the “Young Couple Club” at WLC. I think they had an older group called the Skyliner’s. Fred Masted was & still is the pastor there when we left 40 yrs. ago.
Hi Perry. Yes,, Thelma and Jerry were my parents. My Dad died in 2001 but my Mom is still alive at 97. She still lives in our house on 76th street. I see Pastor Masted and Sandy when I visit Westchester Lutheran. I have nothing but fond memories of growing up in Westchester. I live in Mission Viejo with my lovely wife Darlene. I will ask my mom if she remembers selling your parents house. Thanks for responding back to me Perry. I have my 50th high school reunion in October. It should be fun. Gary
Hello Gary, small world. Fred & Sandra are the God Parents to our youngest son Brad. He was born in Sept of 73. We had dinner with the Masteds, went home & about three hrs. later my wife Sue went into labor. She had a lady Dr. who had moved her practice to Costa Mesa in Or. county. I drove over 100mph & got her to the hospital 30 mins. before Brad arrived. Had my emergency flashers going the whole way. I had my 50th in Sept. of 2010 & Sue had hers in Sept. of 2012. Mine was lots more fun. I went to my 55th two yrs ago but it wasn’t as well attended as the 5oth. Tell Thelma hello from Perry & Sue Baxter. My mom, Helen passed away in 2010 just short of her 90th b’day. Good luck to you, Perry & Sue
Will do Perry. It really is a small world. Are you still living in Washington State? Our son lives on Mercer Island and works for Starbucks. I will say hello to my mom and Pastor Masted. Gary
I just spoke to my Mom. She remembers you and your family. She says to say hi. Gary
Yes we still live in Wa., 40 yrs. now & never regretted moving here. We live between Snohomish & Monroe but our address is a Snohomish Address. Kids were in 4H, we raised Angus beef & our daughter Julie had three horses. We’re about 25 miles north of Mercer Is. Paul Fouski (sp) who was an associate pastor with Fred was the pastor at the Lutheran Church on Mercer Is. in the late 80’s. I’m sure he’s no longer there. Can’t believe Fred & Sandra are still working. They have a good thing going there. Fred once told me a pastor should never stay at one church for more the eight yrs. because they get stagnate. Fred has been at WLC for more the 45 yrs.
My wife, Sue ran a large Lutheran preschool program at Prince of Peace Lutheran in Everett. She had 40 teachers & helpers with over 500 kids in eight location around Snohomish Co. She retired in 2008 after 30 yrs. We just got back from 9 weeks in AZ. in our motor home. We became snowbirds 5 yrs ago. Perry
Perry, you are living the good life. Congrats!! Do you remember the Becker’s, Sondreal’s, Simpsons, Smiths, Ebrights? They are all gone except Mrs. Ebright. Her son Ron came back from Hawaii to care for her in her home in Westchester. We will all be reunited when Christ comes back. Happy Easter to you and your family. Gary
Yes, we remember all those WLC members well, they were the cornerstones of the church. Sue’s dad Cap Schmidt actually got Hugo Becker into the real estate business. They always had a friendly rival going, Hugo with Kent Realty & Sue’s dad with Paradise Realty. My hobby is antique cars. John Ebright had a yellow 60 Olds 4dr, He always said he was saving it for me. Janice Sondreal was in my graduating class, S’60 at WHS. We get a Christmas card from her & Bill every yr. They now live in the Santa Barbara area. Dale & Margaret Rue were also long time members of WLC & good friends. Dale passed away a few yrs. ago. He was a retired LA fireman. He played golf with Fred almost weekly, they were also good friends with Bill & Linda Smith. Happy Easter to you as well. Perry & Sue
Hi, I am Eddie Sandell from 91st street…just east of the high school 2 blocks. This site gets me a little emotional…but it is so cool. Mom and dad bought our house in 1951 (original owners). I went to Loyola Village, Orville Wright Jr High, and Westchester High (class of 67). I lived in our house until I moved out around 1972…when I joined the LAFD. Mom and dad lived there until their deaths.Some places I remember from my past…Jan’s Tropical Fish on Manchester, The Swedish Smogasboard on Lincoln, The Big Donut, Westchester Park off Manchester, Sid’s, the swimclub on Manchester by Sportsville, the Village Kitchens, the “greased pole” at the park (money on the top) during Halloween, “swats” by the highschool boy’s VP (not me), and all the goldfish by the rear entrance to Newberry’s. I was a ballplayer…so many days spent at Del Rey Little League Field on Manchester…and the “gas company” Pony baseball field. “Crazy Claire” at Westchester High. Coach Joe Gonzales and Bud Brubaker. I liked coonskin caps and skateboards (we made them).
Hi Eddie. I graduated in June of 68.I lived on 76th street and Airport. My Mom still lives there at 97 years young. I now live in Mission Viejo, Ca. I had Bud Brubaker as an assistant football coach and Bill Young as head coach. He always repeated things twice. I watched him on Sundays as he was the head official for professional football games. Any idea when or where our 50th class reunion will happen? Wow, time really flies by. Gary Simmons
Jacquie Landon didn’t Airport Village have sawdust on the floor?? Strange that I remember that in 1964
Great school. I was in the very first graduating class there in 1956. The school opened in September of 1955 amongst a lot of mud and wood planking to walk on from class to class. Over the course of the year the landscaping took place completing the school by the time graduation occurred from the 9th grade back then.
The school I was speaking of was Airport Junior High.
Does anyone know if or when the 50th class reunion of 68 will take place? Thank you
I’m wondering if anyone can help with some information…
1. Do you remember The Villa Inn on Lincoln Blvd.? It was an Italian restaurant. Does anyone know when it closed?
2. When did Zaff’s Marina Fountain in Playa del Rey close?
3. What were the various fast food restaurants in Airport Village? I know there was a Hamburger Handout. I believe also Tito’s Tacos. Other restaurants? When did Airport Village close or when was it torn down?
4. What street was Crane’s Records in Inglewood located on? Nearest cross street?
Rick Johnson
WHS Class of ’68
Hi Rick,
Have some info for you, alas not much!
Note. I moved out of the neighborhood in late 1969. However, did stay close by & came back
all the time until say, 1975.
#1 Yes I remember Villa Inn & yes it was an Italian Restaurant. Don’t when it closed.
#2 ? Nothing.
#3 HH, yes, Tito’s, I had heard that. Also a pizza place, maybe the original Camparies?
Also remember the little kids amusement park.
#4 Maybe La Brea, pure quess on my part.
Alan
Alan, thanks for the reply. I first remember Compari’s when they were on Centinela Blvd, not far from the Centinela Drive-In. They later moved, I believe, next to the Loyola Theater. But you may be right…that they were at the Airport Village food shops before Centinela.
Anyone know when Compari’s closed for good?
Rick
It was Zeno’s pizza in Airport village. There was a fish and chips shop, Chinese and a breakfast place also.
Comparis’, had 2 locations, one in the old bank next door to the Loyola theatre another near the Ladera shopping center next door to a Shell station. (I worked there for a bit)
Thanks, Richard.
Worked at Crane’s for a few months in the early 70s. Fun job but can’t say I really “worked”.
It was on Nutwood Street, just south of Manchester, west of La Brea.
Thanks, Chris.
Purchased all of my LP’s at Cranes. Think I paid under $3 each. Lamp store next to Cranes sold all the heads their pipe parts.
You were there when I showed records i’m Sure.
Yes, I remember LPs being $2.95 at Crane’s back in those days.
This post is for everyone who has posted a comment… Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I grew up in Westchester, lived on Wynkoop St from 1955- 1962, then on 79th St from 1962 – 1968. Attended Cowen Ave elem, Westchester Lutheran, Orvile Wright, then on to Westchester High… Ran Track and Cross Country and much much more… Great Memories… 🙂 Thanks 🙂
WOW! This post is for everyone who has posted a comment herein… THANKS for the stroll down memory lane :)… Several of the posted names sound familiar. I grew up in Westchester from 1954 to 1968, lived on Wyncoop St. from 1954 to 1963 then moved to 79th St, just around the corner from the “YMCA” until 1968. I attended Cowan Ave Elem, Westchester Lutheran, Orville Wright Jr H, and the 10th grade at Westchester High… I played BB on the Westchester LL on the Saints and then the Angels, AND at ALL THREE Fields!!! Does anyone remember where they were??? 🙂 I ran Track and Cross Country for the “Comets”…
Again, THANKS 🙂 🙂 and God Bless America and Mr. Linderman… LOL
Loved this walk down memory lane. People don’t understand what a wonderful time and place Westchester was. Made me homesick! Westport Heights, Airport Jr. High, Westechester HS winter ’67.
I played Little League baseball around 1958-62 or thereabouts. I was in the Playa del Rey Little League…or was it called Del Rey Little League? Does anyone remember the name?
I seem to recall that the field was near just off of Manchester Ave., not far from Westchester High, but across the street (on the north side of the street). Am I remembering correctly the location of the field? If not, can someone refresh my memory as to where it was?
Rick Johnson
WHS Class of ’68
Hey Rick… The Field on which you played was, I believe, behind Westchester High and by St. Bernards High School. Many of us played Colt and Pony League there… I think!
I could have sworn the Little League (and Pony and Colt) fields were on the north side of Manchester Ave., not south. 60-odd years ago…guess my memory isn’t perfect. Thanks for responding, Robert.
Rick Johnson
WHS Class of ’68
The pony / coltb fields are north of Manchester on land donated by the gas company.
there was a small LL FIield on the south side across from the 76 gas station ,
Rob Duron
*I moved from La Tijera Blvd. in July 1959, to Santa Barbara. But I grew up till then, across from La Tijera School, where I graduated in 1957. With that said, does anyone remember the Pizza/Sub sandwich restaurant on Centinela, two blocks east of Freeman/La Cienega, that was open in the late ’50s/’60s. It was something like Luigi’s or Arnoldi’s or some other Italian name. It was my first taste of Pizza and I have been addicted ever since.* *I am now a retired teacher, nut twice a week, I drive for Road Runner Shuttle, from Ventura/ Santa Barbara to LAX and pass through much of my old neighborhood on a regular basis. In that area, I remember when McDonald’s opened and I remember the La Tijera Theater, Elster’s Record Shop, and the Clock Restaurant. I remember when we would ride bikes through the housing that is now the LAX north runways. I remember the “bean fields” near Parent School, where the National Guard used to have “maneuvers” and we would collect the spend rifle cartridges. I remember riding our DANGEROUS “Flexy Racers” everywhere. Steve Schlah, Ventura*
Virus-free. http://www.avg.com
On Sat, Feb 3, 2018 at 10:22 PM, Memories of Westchester Calif 1960-1975 wrote:
> Rob Duron commented: “The pony / coltb fields are north of Manchester on > land donated by the gas company. there was a small LL FIield on the south > side across from the 76 gas station , Rob Duron” >
I’m positive of that.
I played Colt at the Gas Co. field north of Yarnell’s 76 Station on Manchester in 1969.
I was class of 71.
Mike, yes, that’s where I remember it…the Gas Co. field.
Rick Johnson
WHS Class of ’68
Before going to Westchester High School, I attended Orville Wright Junior High…from 1962-65. I am trying to remember all the elementary schools that fed into Orville Wright:
– Cowan Avenue Elementary School
– Kentwood Elementary School
– Loyola Village Elementary School
– Paseo del Rey Elementary School
– Emerson Manor Elementary School
I’m not sure of the correct name of Emerson. I am guessing there may have been other elementary schools during these years in which students then attended Orville Wright. Can anyone complete the list of schools for me?
Thanks,
Rick Johnson
WHS Class of ’68
Rick, do you remember Mr. Linderman, Print Shop Teacher
Robert, I remember the name, but did not take Print Shop class.
Rick Johnson
WHS Class of ’68
I think it was Lindemann.
I grew up in Westchester right around the corner from Westchester High School on the first street north of the high school. I would have graduated from there in January,1961 but my family moved to Seattle in April of 1960. At that time there was a little league baseball park in the lot on the north side of Manchester just west of the high school. We lived in the last row of houses on the north side of Manchester and there were just open fields west to Playa Del Ray and north to the bluff down to Hughes Aircraft…boy that was a long time ago…
Thanks for the information.
Rick Johnson
WHS Class of ’68
Happy New Year everyone!! Gary Simmons class of 6/68
Same to you & your wife Gary. I’m recovering from a serious auto accident which happened on Nov. 16th. My Jeep was struck hard on the pass. side by a Chevy PU. who’s drv. claimed to have a medical emergency. Police est. his speed on impact was 55mph. I was doing 30mph. My Jeep struck the center divider, flew 30 ft. & landed upside down in opposing traffic. The full roll cage in the Jeep saved my life. Both airbags diploid. Both vehicles were totaled. My worst injuries were a shattered L-5 vertebrae, badly bruised rt. shoulder & left lower leg & foot. It hurt to breath from the airbag going off. Just glad to still be around. I wear a heavy back brace whenever my feet are on the floor. I thank God everyday for the fact that my wife was not with me. Police said a pass. would not have survived. I was returning from my yearly Drs. exam. & this is the 1st time she didn’t go with me because she made an appt. for her hair at the same time as my Drs. appt. God was looking out for us. I still have at least another month in the back brace then I start PT on the back.
So sorry to hear that Perry. Your guardian angels were watching over you and your wife. May God continue to heal you and give you added strength each day to carry on. God bless you and your family. Happy New Year!! Gary
O my goodness!!! I was looking for a lady that tutord me when I was very , very young, and ended up here…Oh the memories! Grew up in Westchester my whole life…graduated in 1971…but my last two years of high school were in Lennox. I attended Westchester Lutheran School, Orville Wright, and WHS my first year of HS. Was looking for any info on a woman (that was probably a member of Westchester Lutheran Church) named Gertrude Smith… She helped me learn to read when I was a little girl. My name is Linda Couvrey, my two younger brothers were Walter Couvrey, and Rod Couvrey. I remember it all!! Hmberger Handout, the German pancakes at Dinah’s, Loyola and Paradise Theaters, the cat lady, Woolworths, the Broadway…in fact my dear friend who lives right next door to me lived 3or 4 houses from the cat lady (her’s was a corner house)..his name is Don Mogck… Yes! I remember the large red candles on the lawns at Christmas time. I grew up at 8201 Stewart Ave, then moved to Kenyon near Loyola University…yes indeed we all played outside till dinner time, and then went back out and played till it got dark… Amazing times in “dead Chester” …and I still live not too far away…Now I will make a point to go back and visit soon again. Thanksgiving 2017 was spent at Dinah’s!!! With my neighbor Don and his brother Robert! I wasn’t always..( got in trouble in my teenage years) .but am now a believer and follower of Christ. Thanks to all that posted!! I am forever grateful that I grew up in Westchester. God bless Lin
Hi Linda! I was in the same grade as Rodney. My name is Debra Chandler. Thanks so much for visiting my site. I have many of your same memories. I lived in Westchester until 1997 and wish I had never left. Best wishes!! Say hi to Rodney from me.
I went to school with Rod sorry to hear about his passing, Playa del Rey, Westchester fun days.
Class of 1974
I overlap on some of those memories. In my neighborhood across the street from Westport Heights Elementary School we likewise would play in the evening and then go out again after dinner for more fun, often hide and go seek. I went to Orville Wright Junior High and graduated from Westchester High in 1971.
Hi everyone! My name is Linda (Deering) Gladding. What fun it was to read all your memories. I went to Westchester High class of 1970 but I graduated from Venice High. (The airport bought our home so we moved to Venice.) I worked at the Orange Juice on Manchester Blvd. after school and on Saturdays. I remember the Frito Lay factory and the wonderful smells, the House of Pies, going to the Paradise Theater and watching a double feature, siting by the BIG L at Loyota College at night and watching the stars and hanging out at the “Garage” and listening to the band play. I loved riding my bike to Playa del Rey beach and Venice Beach. “Westchester” = wonderful memories for me.
Hello Linda!
Mike Casey here. Lannie’s son.
This is so strange. Just spent Mother’s Day with her and she talked about how much she would like to know how you were and where you were living. She’s 92 now. 93 on July 14.
She mentioned that she has photos of you and Vic that she would love to pass on to you.
Please get in touch.
My number is:
818 822 9076
Just came across this- wow! What memories
I left Wetchester in the early 80’s but still have family/ friend there
I wonder how my Spanish teacher from OWJH Mr Voss is!
I had Mr. Voss too!! 1981 or ’82? I can’t remember. I always liked the guy; he was always welcoming, and sincere.. I think he got a lot of flack from the students, but he was one of my fav’s. Haven’t heard where he is these days.
i had Mr Voss in 1963 @ Airport JH I have no idea where he is now.
I, too, remember Mr. Voss !! Unfortunately, I have not been able to keep track of teachers and/or students through the years. Although I never had him as a teacher, when I was in Junior High (1969-71), Mr. Voss was always known as a good teacher, mentor, and someone who could be talked with easily by both students and teachers alike. When I knew him back then, I estimate his age at 40+ and I’m afraid if he is still around, he would be quite old and not all there. I, however, will always remember him as a great human being.
Charles Jackson
Westchester, CA 1960-1974
Sadly Mr. Voss passed away a few years ago. If I had to rank my teachers, he would be on my Top 10 list for sure. Teachers today are not anything what they were like when we grew up.
Good Morning Ron
It is always sad to hear of the passing of any of friends or teachers…….and you are right; the teachers today are not like those when we grew up. May Mr. Voss RIP.
Charles
So sorry to hear that
He was a great teacher, mentor, and person.
Great to read many of your comments. I went to Westchester Elementary and Airport JH (until we moved to Orange County; moved back to WLA/SM as soon as I could…). Fond memories of the Paradise & Loyola theaters, Karl’s Toys, Buggy Whip, Tiny Naylor’s, living on Vicksburg, Croyden, 89th St., Stewart, 78th St., taking the bus to the beach. Had lunch at Dinah’s recently. Recalling a Swedish smorgasbord I think was called The Little Inn (??), on Sepulveda. Also Haji Baba’s, Westchester Music – many 45s, & LPs, and so much more. Such an innocent time. Glad to have had it.
Reading these brings back an incredible warmth. I had four brothers and a sister that went to Orville Wright and Westchester High. We used to live behind Loyola University on McConnell Ave. I remember ditching school to go to the beach, sneaking in the back door at Loyola Theatre, all the homes confiscated by LAX when they expanded, going to Running Spring in the San Bernardino mountains for many summers, playing in the fields where the marina at Marina Del Rey is now, and how many of you remember POP? Pacific Ocean Park in Santa Monica! I remember many times going on the roller coaster on the pier…Wow! great memories, but so glad I’m not there any more….
Hi Joseph – did you have a brother Robbie? I grew up in Westchester, as did my brothers and sisters.Robbie I believe was in my grade.
Was your brothers Steve and Neil. I was best friends with Neil. We were in the first class when the High HS opened. I didn’t graduate. Fought everyone. They tried to transfer me to Washington Hi. Funny story. The VP there had never heard of Westchester High and refused. I have a Ph.D. from USC and was a Psychologist for 30 years. I can tell you a funny story about Steve and all. His father was also named Steve. Great times. Danny Brotherton was the 2nd toughest kid there. I was 3rd. Danny graduated with a BSEE. Really good looking. Blonde and tan. We all died our hair blonde.
Remember the day Dewey Webber in his milk truck came by and said the Beach Boys had dropped out of Hawthorne Hi. The problem was there could not hire teachers. Chem teacher quit. I quit. Sherry Canady, head cheerleader lived down the block. Loved those days.
Blair Swanson
Blair, I was a friend of Janet’s. We lived on Dunbarton, too, across from Kentwood. Please say hello to her for me.
Came across this blog by chance – some great memories. My family went to Westchester Lutheran Church, although we lived down the hill in Culver City. I graduated from CCHS in ’74.
I was friends with some of the folks mentioned above – Paul Aga especially (in ’73-’74, we would go to Westwood to see first runs of movies – Blazing Saddles, The Three Musketeers, and many many more) I was very sad to hear of his too early death.
Fred Masted presided (with my brother, Rolf, who is also now a Lutheran pastor) over my mother’s funeral in 2010, he is (was?) such a nice man.
I lived on Arbor Vitae from ’75-’77, in Playa Del Rey on Manchester from ’78-’80, then on El Manor, behind the Broadway, from ’80 until ’95, when I got married and moved to Venice. I am now in Mar Vista, so not too far. We ended up getting married in the Loyola Chapel, because St. Monica’s, where my wife went, was closed for earthquake repairs. My mom was a bit dismayed to think that her son was going to marry a Catholic, but since my brother co-officiated, she went along with it, grumbling a bit.
Westchester (and the Westside) bring back SO many memories – someone above mentioned Tito’s Tacos, which is still on Washington Pl in Culver – I was in Sydney Australia in 1986 on a business trip, and while buying a watch downtown, I was filling out the Duty-Free papers, and the saleslady, when she saw the Los Angeles address said “Oh! Your from Laws Angle-ess, mate – ‘ave you evah heard of a plice called Tito’s Tackos?” [side note: The El Manor place became, for a while, a bit of a Batchelor Party Pad; when my boss and I were on the Qantas 747 bound for Down Undah, we were taxiing on LAX Runway Right at about 10pm, and I pointed out my duplex visible from our seats, noting that the big cluster of cars in the Broadway parking lot closest to my house were from my friends partying there. My boss was a bit startled – “I thought you lived alone.” “Yeah, I do.” “You left on a month-long business trip with a full scale party going on at your house!?” “Yup, and knowing my friend’s girlfriends, it’ll be cleaner when I get back than it was this morning.” The Westchester crowd I knew was wild (real wild) at times, but the ladyfriends were always nice.]
Rolf and I used to wind our own motors to race at the Revell Raceway, and stiffen the frames with brass tubing we bought at a hobby shop around there, which name I can’t remember…
Scattershot memories; Trader Joe’s, Compari’s, Wally’s Diner at the El Dorado Bowl, Peter B’s Diner at the El Dorado Bowl (after Wally went nuts and murdered a waitress), Pepe B’s Diner at the El Dorado Bowl (I don’t THINK Peter did anything but sell it to Pepe), The Fireside Room, the Melody Room, the Buggy Whip, Marie Callender’s, Hank’s Pizza (still there!!), The Prince o’ Whales, the late lamented Irvulla’s (the BEST Chicago Pizza outside of Chicago, even better than a lot of the places IN Chicago), and on and on and on.
I have an ulterior motive here; I saw a Robert Redford movie tonight (he says it’s his last), called The Old Man & the Gun, it will be coming out in late September, and it’s about a guy who robbed banks until he was past his 70’s. Not a bad last effort, it’s got Sissy Spacek, Danny Glover, Tom Waits, and a lot of other top talent innit. Marrying a celebrity journalist has it’s benefits, like getting to see a movies before they come out, sometimes with a nice dinner thrown in. Unfortunately though, sometimes you go and the flick is a real turkey, and you can’t really walk out, because the publicist is right there at the door . . .
My question is if anyone can remember the name of the caretaker/handyman at Westchester Lutheran Church in the mid-’70’s, like ’73 or ’74, nicest guy in the world, who turned out to be a serial robber of banks? He would fly out to the Mid-West, rent a car, knock off a bank (or two) and come back to LA. Whenever anybody needed money, he would always be there to help, I know that, though he would swear people to secrecy, saying it was an inheritance or something. He was a really likable guy, I used to talk to him all the time (uh, before the FBI caught up to him, that is.) This film reminded me of him, and it’s driving me crazy (er) trying to remember his name.
My wife I both grew up in Westchester & attended Westchester Lutheran for many years. We were married there in April of ’63 by Pastor Carol Anderson. Pastor Fred & Sandra Masted are the Godparents of our youngest son Brad, born in ’73. I was on the church council and headed up property management at the time the guy you’re referring to was an employee of the church & took care of the facility. I can picture him perfectly & think his 1st name was Bob. He lived with his mother & sister who were also members of WLC. We moved to Washington State over 40 years ago & haven’t thought about that guy since. I think he got in trouble once at a casino in Vegas for using altered slugs in slot machines. Fred had to go to Vegas to get him but no charges were filed. He did get caught like you mentioned flying to another state & robbing a bank. He had kind of a lazy eye. Fred once visited him at Fulsome Prison & Fred said his eyes were straight as an arrow in prison. Funny you should bring this up we’d forgotten all about it.
I grew up in Westchester, residing on Isis ave. from 1950 to 1962. It was the best of times for a young boy. Lots and lots of young families with kids my age and lots of places to play. We watched and played as the San Diego Freeway was being built. Before that, we played in the “gully” underneath the La Tijera bridge. The Loyola and Paradise theaters were weekend entertainment venues for most kids and great babysitters for grateful parents..lol. I went to Osage Ave. Elementary School and Airport Jr. High before my family moved to Upland in 1962
Lots and lots of fond memories….I could go on and on about….
My folks moved us to Westchester Sept of 64, when I was 11, but was only there until Mar 67. Got my very first job selling newspapers on the corner of Sepuveda and La Tijera, in front of the Thrifty Drugs. We lived on Earhart Ave right under the flight path of the north runways. Dang the noise!! Westchester Elementary for 6th grade, and Airport Junior high 7th and most of 8th. More cultural diversity there than this sheltered white boy was used to. I saw a reply earlier from someone mentioning Mr. Parker the music teacher. I still remember how I could “arouse the ire of Mr. Parker” when I was a crappy cello student. Loved Karl’s toys and the two theaters, the Broadway I got tossed out of for being a goof sliding down the escalator hand rail, and J C Penney. I bought my very first 45, Beach Boys Good Vibrations at the record store on Sepulveda. Bumped into Flo and Eddie of the Turtles going into the Savon. My Buddy Bruce Paul lived over on Bleriot. They tore out my whole neighborhood a few years after we moved to Costa Mesa. Not a lot of history for me there, but nearly 52 years later all those memories are still floating around.
I lived on 77th. from 1950-56. Went to Cowan Ave. K-2nd. grade. Lots of memories in those 4 short years. Keeping the tops from our lunchtime milk cartons, we would fashion them into little boats and float them in the gutters of the round curbs. It was slightly downhill home and we would walk alongside them all the way. My 2 favorite places were Peppy’s restaurant at 77th. and Sepulveda Blvd. and Toy Kingdom in downtown Westchester. My Dad was a building Contractor and built some rather iconic structures around the area. The Big Donut chain (Randy’s is one) and the Airport Restaurant from the ’60’s. I liked the old “Flight deck” restaurant at the airport better. I shook Dwight Eisenhower’s hand in ’56 in front of Hillmart when he was in a slow moving motorcade. We would take a charter bus from “Ernie’s House of Serfas” on La Brea and Stocker to the Ram games at the Coloseum and then have dinner with the team after the game. Most of my weekends and Summer vacations were spent up at our cabin in Big Bear. I did of course go to the Loyola and Paradise theaters and also the Academy and 5th. Avenue over in Inglewood. We had moved to Westchester in ’50 from Veteran Ave. in the Palms district. We still enjoyed Chinese food at Wan-Q’s on Pico and Italian food at Rudy’s in the Crenshaw Center. Joe Petrelli’s Airport Café on Sepulveda across from the Mayfair Market in Culver City was tied with The Buggy Whip for steaks. With the aircraft and movie industry along with other innovative business’ like McCulloch (Chainsaws) Westchester was a vibrant exciting place to grow up. In late 1956 we moved to a new house my Dad built in the Sunny Hills area of Fullerton. I moved to Nevada in 1981. I sure miss putting on my new flannel shirt and riding my brand new bike down 77th. Street on Christmas morning 1954. I’ve wanted to share this for 60 years. Thank you.
I lived on Barnsley Ave for several years in the early 80s. The tiny duplex we rented looks much the same today, but is supposed to be worth just shy of a million. I remember Westchester as a good place to live, and to walk the dogs.
Hi Tonya,
I responded to your note a long time ago, (down below) but don’t see it posted.
Yes I worked for your Dad, but never met him, personally. All my contact was with your Mom, Flo. She was great, she’d bring me dinner sometimes. I enjoyed working there a lot. Sometimes when a person left, I’d work 7am to 11pm.
A couple of years ago I was there and the station is still there and still an ARCO, but it’s just a convenience store now.
So I hope you get this. If it’s a repeat, sorry for the repeat.
onya Berger | September 8, 2016 at 2:52 am
Hi Rick,
My dad owned the Richfield station on LaTijera and 74th (across from the Buggy Whip) until he passed away in 1971. His name was Don Hillis. Did you work for him? I lived in Westchester from 1943, when I was born, until 1972, when I moved to Thousand Oaks and eventually Davis, CA. Our first home was on Croydon Ave. Lived there until 1953. We also lived on Ramsgate for awhile, then 96th off of Airport and finally on 79th and Isis. I went to Westport Heights Elementary, Airport Jr. High and Westchester High. My first job, while in high school, was at the Loyola Theater. My older sister worked at the Paradise when she was in high school, then at the Thrifty Drugstore on Sepulveda. Loved all the memories of Hamburger Handout, the Broadway dept. store, Westchester Music, the Townhouse (Friday nights after the game), riding horses in the field by Hughes below the bluffs. Another favorite place was Tiny Naylor’s on Sepulveda and Manchester, complete with car hop service. Long before there was the LAX of today, we used to go to the old airport after school, get a cherry Coke in Mike Lyman’s restaurant, and watch the planes land. No jets back then. I’m 73 years old and when I talk about growing up in Westchester, it’s hard for people to believe there was ever such a small town, home town place in L.A. It was a wonderful place to be in the 40s, 50s and even 60s. My kids went to Osage Elementary before we left and started moving north. My family has lived in Davis, CA for 41 years, but I still call Westchester my home town.
Tonya Berger (Hillis)
Hi Rick,
I was sure I replied but maybe I didn’t do it correctly. It’s great to hear from you. It sounds like you were working at my parents Arco station during the time my dad was very ill, and they had a manager named Joe Wilhelm. Does that sound familiar? After my dad passed away, my mom sold the station. She eventually moved to Davis to be close to my family. She lived here for the rest of her life and passed when she was 98. All my family is here in Northern California now, and I haven’t been to Westchester in many years. It’s on my list of things to do. I have Googled the neighborhood where I grew up and our old house has hardly changed. Westport Heights Elementary looks about the same too. My Junior High, Airport, is long gone. That area looks so different from what I remember, thanks to the development of the airport. When my kids were tiny, we lived right under the flight path and the noise was pretty extreme. Still, my childhood memories of growing up in Westchester are happy ones. It really was a special place to live.
Tonya Hillis Berger
Joe and I were great friends, In fact I bought his 1960 Buick. We got along really well, we used to buy lunches for each other. I learned a lot from Joe.
Yes, it was during the time you father was really sick. It was still Richfield then, I was there during the change to Arco. I later had my own ARCO station in San Jose. Sorry to hear about your Mom, she was great, we both had a cry when I left. I’ll never forget her kindness and what I learned from her. I also did work on her gold Rambler—good times.
I moved a lot over the years, SF area I was a service and parts director for 11 dealerships, Tahoe, Iowa where I owned a bookstore, the before retiring, 3 cell phone stores, then Oregon where I was a camp manager in a very rural camp designed for groups.
And then something strange happened. I got a message through Classmates.com, it was from a a girl I used to walk home with when I went to Airport! Went to Montana for a bit where she owned a horse ranch, and we are together now, and retired to New Mexico.
Went back to Westchester about a year and a half ago. The house we lived in was for sale over 1.2 million dollars was the asking price. Lots of changes, but some things the same.
Great area, great memories. I still think of Don’s Richfield and also remember driving the stations Ford Ranch Wagon (yellow with blue writing) to pick up parts at Jules Auto down the street.
Thanks for replying. 🙂 you and your family take care.
Rick
If you’d like to talk further, rickwar_98@yahoo.com
Hello All,
Does anyone here remember an Italian restaurant named The Villa or The Villa Inn. It was fantastic and I wondered what happened to the owners. I believe it was on Lincoln Blvd.
Thank You,
Mike
It was on Lincoln, on the West side of the street just North of Manchester. I remember it well, my parents used to take the whole family there once or twice a month.
Yes, I remember the Villa Inn very well. It was, as previously mentioned, on the west side of Lincoln Blvd, a couple of blocks north of Manchester. Our family went there many times. I would get their spaghetti, and as a boy, it seemed to me to be a huge heaping plate of spaghetti. It was delicious, and in fact, I still remember it as being one of my favorite Italian restaurants, even to this day, though I haven’t been there in half a century. My other family members would usually get pizza, which came in a rectangular serving tray (not round like most pizzas). I was never a lover of cheese, and so I never tried their pizza…and would not have my first taste of pizza until I later went to Shakey’s Pizza after Westchester High School football games. To my surprise, I loved pizza, and was sorry I had missed it for so many years.
But the Villa Inn was so good, and I am sad that it is no longer around…I’d love to be transported back in time just to have one more plate of that spaghetti.
If anyone knows what year the Villa Inn closed, or has any other information about the Villa inn, I’d love to know.
Rick Johnson
WHS class of 1968
Yes! The Villa Inn was a family favorite, a treat. Square pizza slices!
Does anyone know or remember where the Frito’s factory was in the late 50’s early 60’s?
I certainly do Hardy!
My little league field was right across from that factory.
My buddies and I would sneak in and grab snacks. Bad boys!
I don’t remember the street, but i remember when the paper Mfg plant next door burned to the ground…some time in the mid 50s.
It was Belanca Ave. Dennys was on the corner of Manchester & Belanca just north of the Frito-Lay building.
I went to Airport Junior High in the mid 60’s and remember locals telling me about that fire. Airport JH was the coolest most up-to-date school in the LA School District. Then LAX opened the North Runway and every ten seconds there would be a jet screaming 200 feet over our heads making the school nonfunctional. Very sad. I think it only lasted four or five years.
Was there from 67 to 69. It was an amazing facility. Beautiful auditorium!
I was in Stage production and a projectionist. Mr. Fisk taught both classes.
Airport was open 1960-1975. I went 62-64. It was a great place. My favorite teacher was Mrs Brown, a great English teacher. I lived across the street from Mrs Hunter.
I miss Westchester still. Met my first wife there at Airport.
I had Mrs. Hunter for English and typing.
She was very prim and proper.
Where do you live now. I’m in Pasadena.
I also took shop classes from Mr. Fisk. He was a patient man, he had to be.
My favorite teacher was Mr. Voss for Spanish. I ran into him twenty years ago. Meeting as adults was so strange but I got to tell him what an impact he had on my life. He was the first to spot my vision issue and I’ve worn glasses for the rest of my life.
I had a good friend who lived in the neighborhood overlooking Playa Del Rey beach which is also gone now due to the North runway. I remember Gallagher asking about that abandon neighborhood, “Why didn’t they just give those houses to deaf people?” I still laugh about that.
I bought my first house in Westchester and my kids both went to WHS. Now I live in Phoenix
I’ve lived lots of places, Westchester, SF bay area, S Lake Tahoe, Iowa, Oregon, Montana and now New Mexico (retired)
I attended Airport Jr. High from the year it opened, in 1955, to the summer of 1958. We lived on 96th Street off of Airport Blvd. I eventually moved to Northern California. Years ago, my husband and I were visiting Westchester, and I was taking him around to old familiar places. I was shocked when I took him to my old Jr. High and it was gone. So were all the homes and apartments on 96th. I had friends who lived on Wiley Post Ave. The houses were all gone. It was quite a shock.
Southeast on Osage/Portal, 1/4 mile.
The main drag is Manchester.
If I remember correctly it was just off Manchester, considerably east of where La Tierra (spelling?) intersects. There used to be a nine-hole golf course diagonal to it and where my father and I sometimes played golf. He, by the way, was the manager at the miniature golf course which eventually got replaced by the Save-on drug store (the store’s spelling may different).
If I remember correctly, it was in El Segundo. Not sure, but I believe it wasn’t far from Sepulveda.
I saw John Mancino here. John, are you related to Mark Mancino? I played Little League baseball with him in the early through mid 1970s. This is Brad Stout.
By the way, did any of you ever play miniature golf at that place my father once managed? As I mentioned before, it was eventually replaced by the Save-on drug store. Location was the southwest corner of Manchester and Sepulveda. I used to have the job of sweeping the “course” once each week. This would have been in the early to mid 1950’s.
@Michael Casey thanX for that. I lived in that neighborhood the first 8 years of my life. Always had fond memory’s. Your info helped me trace down where exactly. We moved to NoCal and NYC. But for a long time we had family friends in Westchester and visited them every year or so.
Always seemed like a very nice area to me. I never forgot. Cheers!
Mr. Voss! Well, I had him in the 80’s at Orville Wright. He was a great guy. I wonder if he’s still around somewhere. Sadly, we’re moving out of Westchester. It has become something not at all what it was. We’re going to miss it immensely.
I am Allen Drucker and just came upon this site quite by accident. My folks moved to 78th St. at Bleriot when I was three and I went to Westport Heights through 2nd grade. Mrs. Hissy, as I recall. We then moved to 83rd St. between Kentwood and Alverstone and I went to Kentwood Elementary for 3rd grade on, then Orville Wright, graduating from WHS, summer of ‘66.
My friends Bill Taylor, John Braun & Bruce Marietta and I hung out at Jan’s Exotic Fish, as we all had aquariums at the time. I remember another tropical fish & hobby store located on the southeast corner of Slauson & Sepulveda called S&S Hobbies or some such thing. Tom Koch was also a buddy and we flew our model airplanes in the wonderful park at the corner of Sepulveda & 80th St., before they built the YMCA there. I know I’m in the minority here, but I loved that park and hated it when it was lost to the Y.
My first car was a 1956 Oldsmobile and I rebuilt the engine with the help of Mr. Christian in WHS Auto Shop. I sold that car to a classmate and I bought a white, ‘58 Corvette, which I drove to school the second semester of my senior year. Bill Yarnall, who’s dad owned the Union 76 Station on Manchester near WHS, had a ‘57 Corvette and we would drag race down Falmouth at night. I can’t believe we did that! Two great friends, who I have known since elementary school are Brett Morehead and Greg Scharf.
I took wood shop, metal shop, print shop and drafting at Wright. I took wood shop and auto shop at WHS. The loss of these types of classes at our public schools is a disgrace in my opinion. I learned so much from the shop teachers, skills I still use most every day.
I worked at the Shell Gas Station on the northwest corner of LaTijera & 74th St. The station was owned by Bob Young, who taught me how to say “yes sir” and “yes ma’am” to customers. I then worked at the Orange Julius on Manchester, Royal Liquor on Manchester and then for five years at The Broadway on Sepulveda, while attending college. Working at The Broadway further taught me how to interact with customers and was instrumental in my later business success. So many young people today never get the experience of working part time jobs, which I feel is a shame.
From the time I was about 10 or so, I collected stamps and used to buy some from Gene Fewkes who owned Toy Kingdom on Sepulveda. Who doesn’t remember Quigley’s???
In my early teens, I used to “live” at Karl’s Toys, dreaming about being “the man behind the counter,” where the model trains & airplanes were displayed. I entered model contests there and won a few. As it turned out, I ended up owning my own toy & hobby store for 32 years, first in West L.A. on Pico Blvd. and later in Culver City on Sepulveda at Braddock, where I built a new building on the site of the old Honda Del Rey motorcycle shop. Funny how those things work out sometimes.
As it turned out, I met my wife, Kathie, also a Summer ‘66 WHS grad at the 26th Reunion, held at the Americana Hotel in Culver City. It was supposed to be a 25th Reunion, but was canceled due to the riots in L.A. and rescheduled for the following year. We now reside in Newport Beach but we both have very fond memories of Westchester and the simple, wonderful times from years gone by.
Hoping you are all happy, healthy and doing well,
Allen Drucker
Allen, enjoyed reading your comments on the Westchester site. My wife & I also grew up in Westchester a few yrs. before you. I graduated in S’60 my wife S’62. Our 2nd house in Westchester was on the S.E. corner of Bleriot & 82nd St. We also attended Westport Heights. I attended Orville Wright only one yr., 1955 until they completed Airport Jr. hi. then went there in 56-57. My graduating class at WHS was the 1st class to complete all three grades at the new high school. I also built & flew model airplanes at the park where the YMCA was built. We flew our free flights at the beanfields. I grew up living on Naylor Ave. just down from 79th. You mentioned the name Yarnell. I worked at Sid’s Toys & Baby furniture from the summer of 59 through the summer of 62. Every Christmas we had scores of layaways that would be picked up just before Christmas. I remember the name Yarnell every Christmas being attached to a very big layaway. I remember Mr. Yarnell coming into Sid’s & I always figured he must have been a mechanic because of his hands, didn’t know he had a gas station. At Sid’s we sold bikes, trikes & lots of peddle cars along with toys & baby furniture. At Christmas there were two of us that worked there. We’d work there after the store closed & assembled things for $3 ea. You mentioned having a 58 Corvette, we’ve had two 62 Corvettes one fullie & another 340hp. Over the yrs. I’ve owned 5 57 Chevys & eighteen Model A Fords. We still have a huge interest in old cars & have several Ford’s & Chevys mainly in the 30’s but we also have a 55 Chev. Bel Air & a 55 T-bird. We left Westchester & moved to rural Washington State in 1978. We no longer have any connections to Westchester. My dad passed away in 2000 & we sold their house on Naylor & moved my mom up close to us. She passed away in 2010 a month short of her 90th b’day. Westchester was a great place to grow up but don’t think I could live there now. Have a wonderful Holiday Season & stay safe!! Perry & Sue Baxter, Snohomish Wa.
Hi Perry, good to see you here again.. although these days are before my time, I relish the memories that you all have. I know that my dad (Bruce Barnard for anyone else here that knew him) always spoke highly of you guys, and I envy the times that he related to me about you (mis)adventures! Don’t know if you know or not, but sadly Mark Gateman passed just a few months ago shortly after his wife Sandi (Mackley-Reed) Gateman. We finally moved out of westchester ourselves just 3 weeks ago. You are correct though, poor Westchester has become something FAR from what it was, and it makes us all very sad. We found paradise in Boise, Idaho. I’ll keep reading these as long as there are posts! Cheers everyone.
Brett great hearing from you also. Wow moving to Boise, we may look you up. My best friend, John Miller lives in Eagle. We talk a couple times a week. He claims all of Calif. is moving to Boise. We’ve been there many times. In my younger years your dad was my best friend. When I worked at NCR and had just finished going to school for them. John was assigned to me as an apprentice & we became best friends. We went hunting together & both bought 4WD vehicles & started Jeeping together. He eventually bought a house across the street from me on 82nd St. in Westchester. John moved to Boise 43 yrs ago when we moved to Snohomish Washington. We both remained working for NCR. After John moved to Boise his brothers & a cousin also moved there. Up until my accident 3 yrs. ago John & I went Jeeping twice a year in Moab Utah. Are you still flying, and were you able to transfer there?? Housing is crazy in Westchester at one time we had two houses, a rental & the one we lived in. Those two houses are now worth more the $3M for the pair.
Yes I’m in touch with Bob Fisher who heads up the WHS S’60 reunions. Bob sent me an e-mail several months ago about Mark. Bob had just had lunch with him a week or two before he passed away. Mark took care of the finances regarding the reunions. We sat with Mark & Sandy at the WHS 50th reunion. He didn’t make it to the 55th for some reason. I know I’ve mentioned but Bruce, Gary Crowley, Mark Gateman, myself & sometimes Jim Kelly would all have lunch together. Sadly I’m the only one left. There was another guy, I think his name was David Ray that ate with us. He was 6 mo. ahead of us in school & his family bought a ranch in Montana, they moved during our last yr. at Airport Jr. Hi. Don’t know if your dad ever mentioned him or not.
We bought a small place in Goodyear AZ & normally spend the winter months there but this year we going later possibly in a couple weeks. We just finished a major kitchen remodel in our house hear that I ended up doing about 80%. It took over three months but is now finished.
Good to hear from you, I think about your dad often & remember the good times we had, he passed away way to young & I wish he had never started smoking. I never knew he was as bad as he was the last time I talked to him. Stay in touch & maybe we’ll look you up in Boise.
Perry
Westchester was about the best place for a kid to grow up. Great schools, stores, parks and movie theaters. I worked at Loyola Theater with Steve Burlie, Larry Drilling, Larry Buckley, Dallas von Pohlman, Tom Williamson, Jeff White, Diane Bissell, Mickey Stoner and others. My cousin, Teresa, worked at Paradise Theater. What a great time we had. Ate at Dinah’s, Tiny Naylors, the Hungry Tiger, Chris ‘n Pitts BBQ, Hamburger Hamlet, Compari’s, and my favorite Italian place, Pizza Napoli. The owner, Vinny, made the best lasagna, meatball and sausage sandwiches in the world. Westchester had the best looking girls around. The city was the safest place in which to live. Played guitars and drums with best friends, Doug Smith, Tim and Dennis Grady, Chuck Daley. What great memories!!
Still miss these after all these years. Tiny Naylors, Chris ‘n Pitts, Compari’s, Dinah’s. have a Dinah’s 50 year magnet on the fridge.
I actually visited Dinah’s a couple years ago. Still the best apple pancakes in the world.
Hi, I’m doing a documentary on Surfridge and I’m looking for anyone who lived there or visited there. I’m especially looking for pictures, videos, or movies of Surfridge or the southern end of Palisades Del Rey from the 20’s through the seventies when it was razed. Any help anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Sounds fascinating. Do you have parameters or street names?
Hello Kevin,
More information on your documentary please!
I came into the world living there. 9221 Trask Avenue 1953-1971.
FWIW, pretty much nobody who lived there called it Surfridge or Palisades Del Rey. Many who lived there all their lives had never heard of those name for decades after our house were gone.
Interesting that the date you posted your request would have been my dad’s 101st birthday. He was a avid photographer. 35mm slides and 8mm movies.
Cheers,
gsb — Loyola Village, Paseo del Rey, Orville Wright, Westchester High – class of 1971
Loved reading these memories. I’m assigned Pacific Division and have worked “the hill car” for many years. Dinahs, Pepys Galley (next to El Dorado Lanes) was my eating spots. I was researching the property located at 5651 Manchester Av between Bellanca and Osage. It is now one of three LAPD Academies. Before the LAPD occupied that building ’94 or ’95, I heard it was an IBM training center but I could not verify that. I found an interesting aerial view of that area circa 1968 that shows a huge manufacturing plant? Perhaps related to the aviation field? If anyone has any information on what was there in the 60s, 70s, or 80s please let me know. I would love to hear about it.
Don Secord,I lived on Condon ave in old ladera hts.,went to crozier junior high then on to Inglewood high ,worked at Smiths Food King as a box boy back in the early 70s in the ladrea shopping center,went to many parties in ladrea heights in the early 70s and saw many movies at the paradise theater,we went to church at St. JEROME Catholic church,took my girlfriend to the red onion for her 21st b-day for dinner& margaritas, it was a great place to grow up in the 70s.
I just found this site today. Great to remember all the neat things about Westchester. We lived on Henefer near Firebrand from 1968 to 1976, near Cowan Avenue school. Mrs Stocker was my second grade teacher 1969-1970…a wonderful lady. I went to Orville Wright junior high. My brother and I played Pop Warner football and Little League baseball at Westchester American. Great memories riding BMX in the fields above Hughes Aircraft: Kentwood, Arizona, behind the Little League field, Hamburger Hill down behind Dinah’s; and jumping the concrete steps at Orville Wright. We skateboarded the hills on Kentwood and McCool. I started riding surf mats and bodysurfing at Toes, D&W, and Gillis in Playa Del Rey. We enjoyed the Red Onion and Jan’s Exotic Tropical Fish next door. Great memories bowling and playing pinball at El Dorado Bowl. Westchester was a great place to grow up.
Brad Stout
Brad, I am Mrs. Stocker’s daughter. She was a devoted teacher and a wonderful mother. She died of cancer in 1971, so you were probably in her last class. I got a bit teary reading your kind words. Thanks.
Susan, thanks for your reply. I do remember that your mom died a year or so after she was my teacher. We were very sorry to hear that…she was delightful, and very encouraging.
Reading these comments has been wonderful. I had Miss Koster for fifth grade in 1967 at Loyola Village Elementary. Croydon Ave. ended in a cul-de-sac and our house backed to LAX. We could watch jets take off and land from our backyard. Croydon Ave. is gone now. Westchester Parkway cuts through the neighborhood. After fifth grade, we moved to Ladera Heights. I fondly remember House of Pies and attending movies at the Loyola and Paradise theaters.
Yes Larry, the House of Pies and the two theaters on Sepulveda! What a neat place downtown was fifty years ago.
Between 1965 and 1975 (before the area was replaced with Fox Hills Mall), I remember some horse stables being there and was it a go-kart track?
There was. Two actually. The Fox Hills stable and one other, just for boarding horses. I used to work there, after school, mucking out stalls. This was in the 1960’s.
Thanks!!
Yes, along with the horse stables in the area now occupied by The Fox Hills Mall was an approximate 2 acre parcel with a go-cart business. I forget the business name of it but many a Saturday I spent there enjoying the twist and turns of the track at about 25-30 mph ! It was a very popular place for both juveniles and adults. What a way to spend a few hours of fun with your friends. Money well spent. Charles Jackson
Thanks!
Are there any Manhattans still out there? Class of 1958. I think the Vanguards came just before or after mine. I commented some time back that my father used to be the manager at the miniature golf course on the southwest corner of Manchester and Sepulveda. It was eventually replaced by the Save-on (spelling?) drug store.