‘Things that aren’t here anymore,’ the book

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For you “things that aren’t here anymore” fans, do you all own Charles Phoenix’s book “Cruising the Pomona Valley 1930 Thru 1970″?

You owe it to yourself to get one. I’m sure I consult mine every month for one research reason or another. It’s a guidebook to Inland Valley places, some still here, some not, from bowling alleys and florists to burger stands and donut shops. It’s an amateur press job and there’s not a lot of text, but the information is priceless. It’s hard to imagine any longtime valley residents not enjoying this book.

I’ve written about Charles, an Ontario native, from time to time over the years. You can order his book from his website for $20. Rhino Records in Claremont usually has a couple of copies on hand as well. Here’s the book description from Charles’ website:

“With over 160 sites and 200 vintage photos, advertisements and illustrations, Charles Phoenix takes you on a personal tour of his ‘home valley.’

“Rediscover classic 1930s, ’40s, ’50s and ’60s modern and roadside architecture, art and attractions in the Southern California cities of Pomona, Ontario, Claremont and Rancho Cucamonga. Complete with maps, this guidebook shows you the way to the best of the Pomona Valleys landmarks, leftovers and places that arent here anymore.”

He forgot Upland and Montclair, but they’re in there too.

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  • larry

    Do you or anyone else out there remember a nighclub that was on the North/East corner of Foothill and Garey Ave.? I think it was called the “Odessy”. It was an ugly black building with a big domed roof. If you do, what information do you have on it.

    [Um, you're talking about a nightclub housed in the former Henry's restaurant, which some on this blog would call an architectural wonder! Presumably the nightclub's spelling was the traditional Odyssey. -- DA]

  • Leslie Charles Hedges

    Reading of the many things that have disappeared in Pomoma since I arrived 26 years ago, I wanted to mention the Western Meadowlark that was once heard widely in the Phillips Ranch area. Its song was unmistakable and was part of a dawn chorus. Regrettably, a species that has been displaced by wildfires, predators including man. Amusingly enough its family name is “sturnella neglecta.”