Things that aren't here anymore

One of my earliest memories of Pomona (I grew up in the Azusa/Glendora area) was when the family would take road trips east and we'd drive through the countryside along Foothill. After seeming hours (I was probably the one asking "are we there yet?") we'd come to the top of a hill and there was the most futuristic building I had seen to that time. It was a large round building that at the time seemed like a flying saucer had landed, except that this one had a large sign over it that said Henry's.

We were always going somewhere so we never actually stopped there, but the memories are clear. When I was selling ads for the Covina Sentinel in the mid '70s, the place was no longer Henry's but housed a disco, of all things. Of course, it's now one of the things that are no longer there.

[Ah, Henry's. I bought a book about architect John Lautner solely because there's a two-page spread on Henry's, which for you neophytes was a chicken restaurant on the northeast corner of Garey and Foothill. I know it only through photos. But what photos... DA]

Vast vineyards of the valley, citrus groves, Santolucitos Market, Jong's Chinese Restaurant (where Vince's is located on Foothill Blvd), Dees Diner (Foothill & Archibald NE corner), Martinez Union 76 Station in Upland, The Upland Inn (downtown).

I have an old business I'm curious about, David. Maybe your Claremont readers can help me out.

I found a mid-1960s picture of Second Street in the Village and there is a sign for a business called "The Lantern."

Link: http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/chc&CISOPTR=133&CISOBOX=1

Does anyone remember The Lantern, right across the street from City Hall?

Hopefully someone has an idea. Thanks David, I really like your b-l-o-g.

[Can anyone help out Will on this? -- DA]

I read with interest the column of things now gone. I remember the Kapu Kai and if I remember correctly, the building used to house a bowling alley and, yes, there was a volcano in the front. I remember some other things in Upland. Bill's Ranch Market (now the DMV) and Nelson's Chevron Station at the corner of Alta Ave and Foothill Blvd.

Hearing mention of The Rockette brought back memories. Our family went out to eat occasionally on Fridays, and the Rockette was one of our destinations (not to forget Vince's). In addition to being a cool rock building, it was right across the street from one of my other favorites -- the Valley Drive In theatre. As a kid, I enjoyed the playground area near the screen and the animal cages.

[Do you remember the Monkeyland cage, with live monkeys? -- DA]

Since I left Ontario several years ago, your mention of Bill Ruh brought back the memories of why I admired Bill so much. I used to watch the Montclair television broadcasts and always admired the way he updated the council and the public whenever he had been away at out of town meetings. He was most informative and justified the expenses for his trip. Something that was woefully lacking by Ontario officials.

Paul Neifert Victorville, CA

[Hi, Paul. Thanks for dropping by. -- DA]

My dad was a steel guitar player in the early '50s and played at the old Blue Room on Holt. East of Mills on the county line. My grandmother would tell the story of dad coming home late one night with a blind piano player he met in the club. They were all hungry, so she warmed up beans and cornbread. Ray Charles said it was just like back home.

Do I believe it? Well, grandma never lied. Now grandpa, that's another story.

[Well, I've heard from an eyewitness that a young Johnny Cash played Pomona in the '50s, so anything's possible... DA]

The mention of several old department stores has led me to reflect on the Montclair Plaza in its early days (yes, it is still there, but the mall as it was in my childhood is not "here anymore").

In the late '60s, there were three anchor stores --The Broadway, JC Penney, and May Co -- on one level, in a sea of asphalt (no parking structure). In the center of the plaza, in front of the JC Penney store and under skylights and a sculpture of a flock of birds, was the famous clock tower.

The floors were of highly polished terrazo, and there was no food court. In that era, there were I think just three sit-down restaurants (the Hollander Cafeteria, the Jolly Roger, and one near the clock tower), and an Orange Julius.

Not all of the stores were national chains -- the Fallis' department store had a branch called Fallis' West, and I am sure there were other local merchants.

There was a movie theater ("Cinemas I & II") in the current location of the Macaroni Grill, and the remainder of the area along the 10 Fwy was essentially vacant.

To the north of the Plaza was the Montgomery Ward store (the site of the current Target), but to the east there only a cluster of older commercial buildings, the Holiday Roller Rink, and a rundown motel.

[Not to mention the Green Door bar. Hey, Tad, thanks for the look back at Montclair Plaza. Most of that info was new to me. -- DA]

I really enjoyed the walk down memory lane today, via your column, with Bill Ruh. I have fond memories of the places Bill mentioned, and some others as well.

Back in the '50s there was a dairy on East "D" Street in Ontario, where Mariposa School is now. My father was a milker there, and one day my siblings left one of the corral gates open, and the cows headed west on "D" Street toward town. I'm not sure how far they got before everyone was asking "where's the beef?"

Speaking of town, there was McMahan's Furniture, where our first color television came from, and Pep Boys, which carried the highly coveted Stingray bicycles. Of course, Newberry's and Gemmel's Pharmacy both had soda fountains, and the smell of fresh popcorn was always wafting through the air at Newberry's.

The Granada Theatre always had the latesst movies, and ushers dressed in real usher attire. With Christmas just recently passed, who can forget the Land of Toys on West B Street? For those of us who had to have the latest fashions, there was Fallis'.

With President's Day approaching next month, I am reminded of the penny toss on Euclid Avenue. As I recall, a convertible would drive northbound on Euclid Avenue, with someone sitting on top of it tossing pennies onto Euclid Ave. Children would be lined up on both sides of the street, and would scramble for as many pennies as they could. Perhaps those pennies would be used for penny candy at Conrad's (northwest corner of D Street and Allyn Ave., or Earl's (southwest corner of D Street and Campus Ave.)

I could just go on and on about Ontario, but I will close now, and hope that this topic will get more time/space in your column, and perhaps an "Ontario A to Z" like Pomona did a few years ago.

[Thanks for dropping by, Julia. -- DA]

When I was in high school (1956-59) Henry's on Foothill was the big hangout. I started my sophomore year at Pomona High in Sept. 1956 after it burned in May. We called it "Portable High." We used the Fox Theatre for our rallies and the YMCA for our after-game dances. We also went to the Rainbow Gardens for dances. Little Richard performed one night and Cande Mendoza was DJ. Mr. Mendoza is a member of the PUSD school board now.

[Little Richard! Wow. -- DA]

RE: "The Lantern" -- if you look closely at the photo, the sign actually says, "The Pink Lantern" and "Gifts." I don't recall it specifically, but it would make sense to have an upscale gift shop (precursor to Carkle Sudie, et al today) next to an upscale clothing store for "ladies who lunch" -- Town and Country, which I do remember.

I was puzzled by the "Cafe" sign on the SW corner of 2nd and Harvard, across from the post office. I remember that corner location as The Rack, a preppy clothing store, and as a sporting goods store, but not as a cafe. You can't see it, but this photo was taken before a "remodel" ruined the great county library building just across 2nd from the post office.

Add Stinky’s to your list, it used to be located in Upland just north of Foothill on Mountain. They had the greatest hamburgers in town. Everyone used to carve their initials in Stinky’s large heavy tables. Try doing that at your local Chilis!

I always felt a connection with their hamburgers because my dad’s meat market in Ontario used to supply them and other restaurants with patties. I can still remember watching that machine crank them out.

Your article mentions the groves and department stores; I have fond memories of both. For several years we lived on 21st street in Upland. My grandfather oversaw several orchards and we lived in the middle of 20 acres of lemons. Between Mountain and San Antonio there were only five houses and one of those included a chicken ranch. Citrus blooms, smudge pots, immigrant workers, playing on the huge rock walls and riding on my grandfather’s tractor are all memories now.

Atwoods in Upland lead your list of department stores. Four generations of my family owned the building where Atwoods was located, starting with my great grandparents, who retired from the income leasing to Atwoods and renting out the upstairs apartments.

For many years Atwoods had the most unusual checkout system. The sales clerk would hand write your receipt, put your money and receipt in a jar, attach the jar to a contraption and pull a cord to send the jar along a cable to the second floor where the casher’s office was. The casher would make your change and send to jar back down the cable. Imagine Target with such a set up! We’re all way too impatient these days.

Thank you for your column and a chance for all of us who have lived in the IE all our lives to reminisce.

[You're welcome, Mike! Those were great contributions. By the way, the Orange Belt Emporium in Pomona, I'm told, had the same pulley/jar system as Atwood's. I'd have loved to have seen it. -- DA]

GREETINGS:

For someone who remembers growing up in Ontario with a vineyard at the end of the street and a dairy just a few blocks away, it's always amazing to see how the local area has changed. And my father, who came to Ontario as a boy, laughs when I refer to my memories as "the old days!"

So many have already put forth names and locales that have faded into the haze of days gone by. Here are a few more to add and (hopefully) elicit a few nods and smiles along the way. (Please forgive any misspellings; some of the names are being dredged from personal recollections.)

When it comes to shopping, how about the ABC Store in Montclair? Rasco on Fourth Street in Ontario? White Front in Ontario? There was the Blue Chip Stamp Redemption Center in Ontario. And how many generations of high school students had senior pictures taken at Wayne Moore Photography on Euclid Avenue?

Want to have a good time? How about the Thunderbird Bowl on Mountain Avenue? The Mount Baldy Drive-in in La Verne? The Mountain Green Theaters in Upland? Or you could play nine holes at the La Mancha Golf Course in Cucamonga.

David (and others who read this blog) know I have a passing acquaintance with local eateries. Here are a few to recall -- Martinez's (Campus & Foothill in Upland), RoVal's (Foothill Blvd. in Cucamonga), Casiletti's Polka Palace (Highland Ave. in Etiwanda), Berliner Kindel (Mission Ave., Pomona), The Depot (Claremont), The Noble Inn (Foothill Blvd., Upland), Burger Q (Mountain Ave., Ontario), Rochambeau's (Foothill in La Verne; I believe it was used as a location in the Gabe Kaplan movie "Fast Break"), and the Crystal Cafeteria (Holt Ave., Pomona).

Change is a constant in life. To deny it is to deny the chance to make things better. But the past is the foundation upon which everything is built, so remembering what has been sets a standard for what will be.

[As always, an outstanding roundup, Charles. I knew you'd weigh in on this. -- DA]

Does anyone remember the Hillbilly Restaurant in Pomona? I believe on the N/W corner of Holt & Towne. Great hamburgers & fries. My parents loved that place. So did I.

Wow, some great recollections so far. So I'll add to the fun and nostalgia.

I grew up in what is now known as the Hacienda Historical District in Pomona. My playground was Casa Primera and the Alvarado adobe, as both were on the block. Having a steady supply of vitamin c at the ready was great for us kids in need of a quick snack during the summer. Although, growing up in the early '60s, we were subjected to ugly smog conditions that had all of us feeling like we had smoked 3 packs of cigarettes by lunch time.

Hopping on my Schwinn Stingray, I would venture up to the Hamiltons and Alpha Beta on Garey and Willow. There were several times during those days that the Alpha Beta would have some kids celebrity there on a Saturday afternoon.

When we got tired of all the fruit in the neighborhood, we'd venture to such locales as the brand new Burger Chef on Garey & Artesia, or Margies Hi Drive-In on Garey & Orange Grove.

When I needed a fresh supply of comics to read, the best place for those was White Way Market. Plus they had better penny candy than anywhere else.

Until one of the neighbors put in a trendy kidney-shaped pool, we'd all end up in the Ganesha plunge for summer swims. The park icon was that aqua fiberglass shark. I now wonder who on the parks commission thought of putting that and the smaller sea turtles there.

Across from Lincoln School was the Melody Pet Store, where the owners at the time had an ocelot in the store. We'd go down there just to see that. Then there was Heidi's Toy store, which if I recall, had a big slot car track, where enthusiasts could race.

All this reminiscing is making me hungry. I sure could go for a hot turkey sandwich from the Heritage House. Or the world famous Chicken in the Rough from the aforementioned Henry's. Finish it off with a Valley Forge from the Betsy Ross. Just imagine how many more lunch places you could go to David if some of these were still around. I'm guessing the century mark would be toast in '08.

Jim

[Makes me wish I were a child in Pomona in the '60s... Thanks, Jim. -- DA]

Though I've only been in the area for a little over 20 years, reading all these comments has been great. And I even remember a few of the places mentioned.

One of the things I miss is a relatively recent loss. I love the old field stone buildings that dot the area, and some of the few still occupied during my time here were the homes and outbuildings on the northeast corner of Central Ave and Arrow Rte (not Arrow Hwy!) in Upland. Now those buildings and their orchards are gone, replaced by a generic suburban apartment complex.

Of course change is constant and progress is necessary, but here's to hoping we don't remove all traces of the valley's past and character in the process.

How about La Piccoletta in Claremont? It was owned by an Italian woman named Linda for over 25 years. You always knew you were going to get a great dish of pasta because she was always in that open kitchen cooking. Her pasta was better than pasta I have eaten in Italy. No excuses just incredible food.

The restaurant is still there with the same name but she sold it a few years ago and her great food is just a memory now. It was one of life's great pleasures...

[Sad to say I haven't been there. I kind of forget it's there, and then you can't look inside and that intimidates me a bit. Maybe I'll hit it this year. -- DA]

Well David it still has the name La Piccoletta and it is still a unique cozy place but the great pasta left the building when Linda did.

How about Lomitas golf course where the embattled Wal-Mart will soon be?

Does anyone remember the ping-pong ball drops that used to be held in the old parking lot behind the then-Thrifty on Fourth st? Market Basket and Woolworth's in the same plaza where Albertsons is.

Here's one that a handful of you may remember: On Fifth and Monte Vista there was an old house with a chicken coop (there's a monument of an old train there now.) The man who lived at that old house used to sell eggs door to door. He was a very nice old Austrian man who smoked a pipe named Mr. Ollerman.

Milk delivery from Scott Bros dairy. The Helms truck. How about the old split-level JC Penney's down on Euclid. One more for now. The old Miller's Outpost on I think B and Euclid. It too was a split level and I remember getting school clothes there.

[Now why didn't anyone think of putting a golf course back at Fifth and Mountain instead of a Wal-Mart? -- DA]

O'Reilly's on Holt just east of Mountain. Charbroiled burgers (unusual for the time), and a sundae bar where you made your own sundae. Family owned. The Paint Bucket is there now.

In about 1966 there was an old fashioned soda fountain shop in the strip mall where the 99 Cent Store is on Mountain and B. It was good but didn't catch on. It was cool though.

Amen to Henry's in Pomona, don't forget Burger Lane in Ontario, it was another hang-out for the Chaffey kids. Does anyone remember Edward's Ranch House on Mission, I believe it would have been in Montclair today. Best chicken dinners around (of course they only featured Chicken Dinners), sort of a local Knotts Berry.

[Incidentally, Burger Lane is now Sammy's Burger, about which you can read here in a late December "Restaurant of the Week" account. -- DA]

Dear David,

Wow! What a column you have written! I sure hope it inspires more people to write in and reflect on "What's not here anymore."

While reading through all the posts, I could not help but shed a tear or two at all the places mentioned that I have missed dearly.

I would like to share my experiences of growing up in the I.E. for all of my 45 years.
Why, I remember the days of going to department stores such as Zody's and Gemco. Remember Price Club? (before Costco) Home Club? Builders Emporium, just to name a few.

On the restaurant side, there is a whole slew of places worth a mention. The Jolly Roger, The Arbor Inn, Alphie's (now a Denny's at Foothill Blvd and San Antonio Ave.), Betsy Ross, and of corse, who could forget Ferrell's Ice Cream Parlor, that sat in the northwest corner of the Montclair Plaza parking lot? The Thunderbird Lanes Coffee Shop? (I apologize, for the name of it escapes me).

On the entertainment side, a few of the places I can remember, is the Mountain Green theater in the Mervyn's plaza in Upland. It was a small, dainty theater boasting only 4 screens. Then there was the go-cart race track at the southwest corner of 7th Steet and Benson Ave. One could drive a motorized go-cart around a track filled with all kinds of twists and turns, and be timed driving it.

I, too, also remember the Montclair Plaza theaters. The original two up front (behind the plaza), then later added five more in the rear which is now hosts a 24-hour fitness center. Who can remember the Montclair Tri-plex on Holt Blvd? which later became the Five-plex? I can remember going there and seeing the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the midnight showings more times than I care to mention, and then going to Michael J's Restaurant afterwards.

But the one place that has always had the biggest effect on me being now gone, is the A&W Drive-In. Situated near the corner of Holt Blvd and Mountain Ave in Ontario, one could still pull up, order a meal, and eat it in their vehicle. Even at the time before its demise, gone were the days where the waitresses wore roller skates.

In closing, it's like what everyone else is saying, that it's all a part of change. I'm sure in 10 years or so, we might be reflecting on what used to be Starbucks, Target, Best Buy, and yes, even Cold Stone Creamery.

One may or may not like change. It's progress that can't be stopped.

Incidentally, Tad, that restaurant that used to sit in front of the clock tower in the Montclair Plaza was a Bob's Big Boy :)

[Randall, thanks to adding to our roll call of past pleasures. Glad you enjoyed this blog thread so much. The ability for people to add comments really makes this the perfect venue for this type of reminiscence, doesn't it? -- DA]

I moved to the Pomona valley 30 years ago but moved away in 2003. Some restaurants that I miss are the Crystal Cafeteria, Breakfast at Carls, The Montclair Peanut Co. and Olivers on Foothill Blvd. in Upland. The west side of Pomona used to have so much hustle and bustle when General Dynamics was in business. I miss Buffums, Nash's and getting blue chip stamps at Stater Bros.

I remember the Holiday skating rink in Montclair that is where the McDonald's is now. Then there was the giant slide in front of it.... I have a permanent scar on my leg from falling off the burlap sack. Also the restaurant that was in the now Target parking lot. It had a giant windmill and I think that it was called the Hollander???

[The Hollander Cafeteria, I think. -- DA]

Dear David,

I find myself here once again, ready to add more to the nostalgic list of places "no longer there."

While I was growing up, I started working for a restaurant called Mr. Steak. Located near the corner of Foothill Blvd. & Mountain Ave. in Upland (talk about a blast from the past) for 3 to 4 years before it went under.

After that, I worked odd jobs between here and there, til I landed a job at General Dynamics in Pomona. I worked there for nearly 5 years and met a slew of wonderful people, whom I wished I kept in contact with but didn't.

I, too, remember Market Basket in Ontario. My grandfather use to take us kids there all the time so he could get his peppermints :).

During my years of attending Upland High School, my brother and I use to short-cut across the field that was next to the school. At that time, we enjoyed ourselves at James Games, had a large yogurt at That Yogurt Place, and if we had time, stopped in at the Wherehouse Records.

These were some of my fondest memories growing up, and I'm sure I'll be back writing some more :)

Those were the days, my friends, I'd thought they never end...I just witnessed the demolition of the "Boy's" Market on Indian Hill (Alexander in the '50s) and Holt last week. My Dad grew up across the street before Sears was there in a orange grove home. The store had the big column sticking up in the sky with "Boy's" in neon. I had one of my first jobs there as a butcher's assistant in the meat dept. I graduated to another famous landmark, Farrell's at the Montclair Plaza, where I served banana splits and ran the Zoo up and down the aisle. Thank you all for the good memories.

I grew up primarily in Montclair, and I held part-time jobs in different businesses to put myself through college. This column made me wonder if I might be the Kiss of Death employee, as they are now all gone:

Hickory Farms in the Montclair Plaza (I stood at the door and offered samples of their Beef Stick: "It's 100% beef, no pork, garlic, or pepper, it's smoked so it's good for backpacking, hiking, or camping..."), A&M Bakery and The California Fit in the K-Mart shopping strip, The Montclair Cinemas 1 & 2 (Imagine, two choices for films at one location!), The Lace Place, a tiny little store in a nearly abandoned shopping mall on the corner of White and Foothill in La Verne, and my longest tenure, at Dick's Exxon on the corner of Monte Vista and So. Plaza Ln. where I was one of the last honest-to-goodness gas station attendants who actually pumped the gas, washed windows, checked the oil, etc. (In fact, The Daily Report ran a story and picture about me, as it was unusual for a girl to be employed in such a "male-dominated field.")

I worked there when gas prices rose to ONE DOLLAR A GALLON!! You should have heard the uproar then. Oh, have times changed! Just think back about a week when we got excited when gas dropped down to $3.07!

Yes, these places are no more, and I just hope that I wasn't somehow responsible for their demise. I don't think so, but since I now work from home, I just keep an eye open for any incoming meteor. You never know.

Hey! I'm back. Someone out there has to remember Rudy Pocks on Euclid in Ontario, where the coolest kids went to listen and buy the coolest records in the '50s, those individual listening booths were the "most." How about those after-dance dinners at Seapys on Holt in Pomona and The Jade Palace on Holt in Ontario. Those were the days!!!

Hi David, The Burger Lane I was writing about was there in the 1950s, a little east of Sammy's, just a small little drive-thru where we all met and hung out. Your column is why I buy this paper:).

[Why, thank you, Linda. -- DA]

Gina was wondering.....It had a giant windmill and I think that it was called the Hollander??? Gina and David, that would have been the Van De Kamps coffee shop. i believe a few others popped up in the area around 1967-68.

[Well, there was a Hollander Cafeteria, if not there, then somewhere else, because I've heard the name. About Van de Kamp's, there was one in downtown Pomona in the prewar era at Second and Garey, and later there was one on Holt and East End. It later became Tacos Mexico before being bulldozed earlier this decade. -- DA]

Dear Judi,

You mentioned some of the places I've forgotten about.

Another one of my fondest memories of growing up in this area, I do recall a girl working at a gas station adjacent to the the Montclair Plaza on Monte Vista. I saw you a few times there when I pulled in and needed gas. I thought you were really cute, but never got up the courage enough to ask you out.

And no, you are not responsible for the places you've worked at that are now gone. Much like victims of a crime, victims are never at fault. So smile Judi, makes people wonder what you've been up to :)

I also remember visiting Best Products (now where Best Buy is), TG&Y.

We lived right behind a Safeway near Foothill Blvd. & Euclid Ave., what would now be called a strip-mall. Back then it was easy for any of us kids to go there on our bikes. Oh how fun it was in those times, especially during summer where we would also ride our bikes to Thrifty Drug for their famous Ice Cream :) THAT was a treat! And sometimes we would shop at Coronet.

The two places I really miss at that location was a Straw Hat Pizza, and an Old World Delicatessen.

Thanks, David, for helping us reminisce. I never thought for a moment that I would miss so much, not until I had written it down.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned these long-gone Pomona restaurants -- Orlando's at Erie and Holt. That was quite restaurant for impressing one's date. Same goes for the St. Charles Grille near Holt and Garey. Further west there was The Pomona Valley Inn which at one time was a nice restaurant and hotel.

Wow, lots of memories. As I was catching up I suddenly realized why we never stopped to eat at Henry's. Most likely we were on our way to the place we ALWAYS stopped on trips east along Foothill, Griswolds. Up until its demise (now Buca di Beppo) it was the place for Swedish Smorgasbord. Of course, dad wouldn't allow us to buy anything in the gift shop, but we had fun looking. Years later in the mid '70s they were a client of mine as I sold ads for the Old School House complex which the Sandersons had just created around their landmark restaurant.

It's about time someone mentioned Orlando's. It was THE restaurant in Pomona. What about The Brasilia on west Holt, a mid-modern night club and restaurant inspired by the new (in 1960) Brazilian capital city. It's a rehab center now : (

Oh, BTW, that "hillbilly" restaurant someone mentioned was called "Seepee's" or "Seapey's", or something like that and it wasn't hillbilly so much as old west, with wagon wheel chandeliers and a covered wagon motif throughout. They served a great chicked fried steak.

I remember there being a gas station owned by Dandurand on the corner of Central and Benito where the doughtnut shop is now. It was at the time the only other business in front of the Mayfair Market.

There used to be a large fountain where the Montclair City Council chambers now sit. I recall it used to get a regular treatment of soap which resulted in a lot of foam.

Just north of the Mayfair used to be Fred's T-Bird on San Bernardino. They made great grinders and french fries. I had a very good friend that also was a female attendent at Dick's Exxon on Monte Vista.

At Monte Vista and Arrow Hwy behind the "NEW" (at the time) fire station and south of the water tank were three sets of baseball fields. There also was a nursery at the south end of Montclair Plaza. The Montclair High School Band played at its grand opening (Mr Ruh most likely was a band member in attendance).

Where the RV dealer now sits on Benson and Moreno was a Malibu Grand Prix. Before the Mission Drive In became a fourplex, there was a house that the manager and his family lived in along the west side of Ramona.

And finally, speaking of houses, there was a very mysterious couple that lived in a house at the NE corner of Monte Vista and Palo Verde. They raised chickens and sold eggs.

David, the Hollander Cafeteria was inside the Mall, and the Van De Kamps was a standalone restaurant across the street on Moreno.

Now speaking of Burger Lane, the one I recall was on Holt & Erie, across from Orlando's.

Much like Henry's, the Taco Kitchen holds a fond memory for me.

The comment by Pat Wiese about attending Pomona High brought back fond - and not so fond - memories of the fire which destroyed it in 1956. I was a junior at the time and our "place" was the A and W Root Beer stand just down the street. Haven't had a Momma Burger since.

Incidentally, when we returned for our senior year in 1957 to the portable classrooms on the site of PHS, we called it "Charcoal Tech."

Mr. Mendoza of the PUSD board was my teacher in sixth grade at Kauffman Elementary before the termites ate it up. Gosh, I'm old.

Here's to the old days.

Ramona Fredericks

My dad was a Pomona police officer and went into Seapy's at Holt and San Antonio for coffee after Pomona HS burned down. He met my mom there after flipping a coin with another officer for who would ask her out. He never told her whether he won or lost the bet.

Someone mentioned Orlando's restaurant at Holt & Erie. My first day of work there in 1975 was Mother's Day. What a madhouse. I nearly quit, but stuck it out until the 4th of July. Espiau's wasn't far away on Holt, and within blocks of the S&H Green Stamp Redemption Center.

I, too, remember Boy's Market, Market Basket and the much smaller Stater Bros at Garey and Alvarado. Across from it was Chicken Delight, which delivered hot dinners stapled inside paper plates. We also shopped at Jenkins market, which is now a U-Haul center and ate at Sir George's on Garey, which is now a church.

A department store that I didn't read about in previous comments is White Front in Montclair.

And who can forget the porpoise fountains along the mall in Pomona, and Kress. Another good store was John P Evans in the Sears complex on Holt. My grandmother worked at Orange Belt at Garey and 1st, but I was too young to remember the pulley system someone mentioned.

[Welcome to NPR correspondent and Pomona native Steve Julian! Loved the Seapy's story about your parents. Two corrections: John P. Evans wasn't at Sears, unless they had a second store there. It should be noted too that the porpoise fountain is still along Second Street. -- DA]

Betsy Ross was the absolute best. It was THE place to go after the high school football games. I remember getting Dill Pickle ice cream. Anyone else remember that?

Here are a few others: Ole's Home Improvement on Mountain just north of the 10 fwy which was on the same block as the Upland DMV. Also, Hamburger Ding-A-Ling on Euclid and I think D Street. I have no recollection of the quality of the food, but calling the kitchen from the phone on your table to place your order was really cool.

A few blocks north was Pepe's Mexican Food. How about the "House of Pies" restaurant on Mountain and 4th? Also, Armstrong's Garden Center across the street. I would buy flowers for my Mom on Mother's Day from them every year.

[Among my keenest regrets in life is that I wasn't here when the Inland Valley had a restaurant named House of Pies. -- DA]

Hello everyone...I am loving this topic....how about The Leaning Tower of Pizza that had a leaning tower out in front on Euclid Ave years ago? The pizza was good and the tower was plain old tacky fun. There was also another pizza place the name escapes me that was owned by a local family (Italian even) that had a few locations...was it called Romas?

Steve Julian mentioned the John P. Evans store...David was correct in stating that the store was in downtown Pomona, not at the Sears center (that is--Pomona Valley Center, Indian Hill Village, Indian Hill Mall, Plaza Azteca, and today occupied by the PUSD).

I think Steve may have been thinking of the Ewart's mens clothing store, as they had a store downtown AND at the Pomona Valley Center on Holt. Although it was not their original location downtown, in my childhood the Ewart's store was on the northwest corner of Second and Thomas (in the Union Block).

John P. Evans was an amazing store. I bought my first suit there about 1980 (nice brown polyester!). Walking into the store was like walking back in time; the front display windows were of an art deco style, leading to double wood and glass doors; inside, the floors were maple planks, and the high ceiling was ornately pressed metal (by that time painted dark brown.) The west wall was lined with dark oak shelving with glass doors, behind which were displayed dress shirts, hats, and the like. The storefront to the west was the men's shoe department. Behind that was the women's Pendleton department, and at the rear of the rambling store was the boys department.

The store had been in business since 1911 at the same location! It lasted until the early 1980s, when John A. Evans retired. It was in every sense a Pomona landmark.

[Thanks for the confirmation and added info, Tad. -- DA]

I liked Greene's Deli in Pomona. Another Greenes was added in Claremont just east of Towne and Foothill by the Stater Bros. My memory of Market Basket in the Pomona Sears Shopping center (west end) was two free lobsters courtesy of the Lohman and Barkley Radio Show. Another memory is the local radio station would forecast when the orange grove smudgepots should be set out when the weather got cold.

This has been a wonderful thread.

Three places that loom large in my memory: Rosedale's Nursery on the corner of Indian Hill and Foothill, excellent perennials and roses, taken over by Armstrong's before its demise in the 1980s.

The second: Huling's Stationery at the corner of Second and Harvard. In the late 1960s you could still buy a variety of exotic writing papers, leather-bound notebooks, steel nibs and pen holders, inks galore, and fountain pens that were affordable for high schoolers like me (the Parker 45 was only $5 and had a gold nib).

The store eventually moved a little down Harvard and changed its name, becoming more like an Office Depot and losing its magic as it did so.

Yale Books on Yale Ave. in the sixties, mostly used textbooks and paperbacks, stacks of books high enough to fall on top of you as you perused, but all affordable.

[From this Claremonter, thanks for dropping by. -- DA]

Hi David,

I realize this blog isn't a place for personal correspondence, but if you could please indulge me?

Dear Randall,

Your post both flattered and stunned me. I had a secret admirer way back then?! Wow. But I have to sadly report, that like all the other things listed in this thread, that cute girl no longer exists. (Or as my son at age 6 said when he saw a picture of me at age 19, "That was you? Mama, you used to be pretty!")

But I thank you for your kind remembrance, and for a brief moment yesterday, I was again that young (thin) girl, reeking of petroleum products, with a world full of promises ahead of me, and I did smile.

Also, if you had asked me out, I would have been flattered then, too, but I would have had to politely decline. During that time, I was either going steady with a nice boy from high school, or I was dating the sweetest man on the planet who would eventually become my husband, and who has put up with my craziness for almost 30 years now.

Again, I thank you for your kind words.

Dear Duane,

Hi, nice boy from high school. I was surprised to see you here!

Now, back to David: Your blog is an amazing thing. It educates, entertains, and breaches the time-space continuum. Can you patent this somehow?

[If only! -- DA]

Three other Pomona favories that I miss include the greasy spoon Apex Cafe on Garey at Second/Third, Saritas Mexican food on Holt and The Hull House on Mission.

A few people have mentioned Seapy's which I also remember as a kid -- especially their treasure chest filled with small toys and trinkets where kids could select and keep a small toy. Great marketing ploy as we'd always beg our parents to take us there.

Well, having put one post on here does not seem to do justice. Reading the comments has rattled my brain and brought back lots of memories (even of places still around).

Yes, Betsy Ross was the place to go after football games. Does anyone remember the air museum on Foothill? I think it finally moved to the Chino Airport.

I remember my college days and would commute between Long Beach and Upland on the weekends. I used to drive the Pomona freeway when it first opened between Euclid and the 605. In "those" days you would be lucky to see 5-8 cars on the freeway. I last drove it in 1997 on a vacation and it was a parking lot.

Dave, as I told you in an email, I recall the McDonald's in Upland and the stink that was raised about the building and the sign. First McDonald's that I had seen that looked like a square box and a sign on a pole that simply said McDonald's and now you tell me that it has a '50s look and Mr. Speedy on the sign.

I grew up in the Foothill Knolls area. Of couse at that time there was nothing above 14th Street. When my parents moved to Upland I think the population was about 15,000 and when I left the population was about 50,000.

I remember when the Montclair Plaza was built - one story and one level of parking. I came back to Los Angeles in 1988 and friends in Victorville suggested going to the Plaza and I wondered - Why? Well, it was multiple parking deck and two levels. Man, this brings back memories.

David..please don't let this topic disappear...could you please put it back on the main blog a little longer? I know everyone has enjoyed it and some people are looking for it right now. Many of us have been in the area all our lives and this has been a great walk down memory lane. Thanks...

Well we gotta at least get this posting to 50 comments!

The recollections of those regarding long time (now long gone) clothing stores, reminded me of what local businesses my family supported throughout my childhood.

My father being a local businessman himself, we as a family did most of our buying in the locally run emporiums. Ewarts, JP Evans, Freemans Shoes, Hillens Tv's, et al got the family business. Until the last of them disappeared, my family supported them to the end, as they in turn did business with my father.

It's a much tougher proposition nowdays, but I try and do my best, to support family-owned businesses. Sure the corporate Big Box stores may save you some $$$, but for the most part you're just another number. I like a friendly face who cares and appreciates that I do business with them.

Speaking of TVs (nice segue,eh?), who remembers when all consoles had names to describe the model? Very regal sounding electronic units like.."The Barrington" or "The Broxton." Nowdays its a Sony lcd kdfe60a or something similar. Of course no TV today comes wrapped up in ornate faux cabinetry to deserve such a moniker.

[That's 49... DA]

Anyone remember Jan's Seafood? It was located on the NW corner of Towne and Holt on the same lot as the aforementioned "Hillbilly Restaurant." I think it was called Hillbilly Haven but I can't remember for sure, just remember they had a lot of fistfights on Friday nite in the parking lot! Jan's was built later, it was kind of a narrow building that sat on the north end of that lot.

Another thing I remember was the old Orange Julius that was across the street from the old Pomona High. A few of us kids ran all the way from Kingsley Elementary down there to watch the old school burn in 1956. It was the biggest fire I've ever seen - sure was a shame to see that majestic structure destroyed.

One more was a drug store that was on the SW corner of Holt & Towne, I think it was one of the Hamilton Drugs, but I'm not sure. When I was just a small kid I had a crush on a pretty brunette named Priscilla that worked there. Someone had mentioned the sharks at Ganesha Hills Park, I had forgotten about them, but I now remember when they put them in. They were pretty cool at that time! Good blog, keep it going!

[...and that's 50 comments! -- DA]

Hi David, OK, here are some of my own memories (not newer ones from working in the Model Colony Room!): the O'Reilly's Restaurant was owned in part by Dr. William Kelber, longtime veterinarian and library board member in Ontario.

When we moved to Ontario in 1953, there were only a few markets we went to - the Shopping Bag on Foothill just east of Euclid (now PepBoys?), Torley's on B St in Ontario and King Cole out on Holt Blvd.

And from hubbie: his dad had a hotd og stand called Manny's on Holt Ave just across from the old Pomona High School. One could get to it using the pedestrian underpass (!!) going under Holt from the school to the north side of Holt.

[I've heard of that underpass! Never knew you could use it for access to hot dogs. What a concept. -- DA]

Tad, thanks - I'd forgotten about Ewarts. Oddly enough, we shopped so often at JP Evans: my dad got his police uniforms there and I got Boy Scout apparel in the back . I also liked to sort through baseball bats and gloves at Beamon's along the mall.

Across from Sears, along Holt at Indian Hill/Mills, was Standard Brands and Angels Hardware, where my dad liked to buy wood and colored plastic for his homemade cabinets. In the Indian Hill Village, just west of Sears, was Larry Wellin's Jewelers. Once the Village deteriorated, Larry moved his store to Holt and Central. A son opened another store in Chino; the primary one is now gone.

And speaking of Holt Avenue, remember the stationery store Stockwell & Binney? Across the street, on the southeast corner, was Mel's drive-through. Room for just one or two cars next to the walk-up window. I loved the sauce on those skimpy burgers, which I'd get after one of the Lawson brothers on Third Street east of Garey sheared my head. Didn't Mel's get turned into a locksmith shop?

One other memory is construction of the Montclair Plaza. My grandfather suffered angina for several years and was in Pomona Valley Community Hospital in 1968 and 1969 when the plaza went up. I could see the progress from his room.

[I don't know about a locksmith shop, but in recent years Mel's was a sketchy place called the Smoke Shop, and a druggie hangout, until police and City Hall got them shut down last year. -- DA]

Oh, one more memory. Tad, the radio station that gave the smudge pot reports on those chilly nights was 50,000 watt clear channel AM 640 KFI - "Earle C. Anthony, Incorporated."

GREETINGS:

Since Steve has touched on the subject of radio, how about the stations that used to reside in this region?

While I remember it as KSOM AM (1510) and FM (93.5) with the transmitter on Ninth Street in Cucamonga (southeast of where the Cask & Cleaver restaurant sits), my parents recall when it was KASK (at least the AM side). There was KWOW AM (1600) in Pomona, which I first remember as playing a country & western format. I know it later became KMNY with mainly business programing. I also know Mt. San Antonio College had its own station, KSAC (?), but I don't remember much more than that. Then there was a station, KKAR AM (?), that I believe operated out of Pomona and did a lot of on-location broadcasts throughout the area.

A quick word on KFI - I, too, remember hearing the frost warnings on that clear-channel station. Where I grew up in east Ontario, KFI and KSOM were the two strongest signals you could always pick up on even the oldest, beat-up radios. Of course, KSOM came in so clear because the transmission towers were less than a mile away!

Can anyone else offer more thoughts on this topic of things past?

And the blog goes on.

[Does it ever! Thanks for the radio daze, Chas. -- DA]

Charles,

Wasn't there a KOCS back in the 1950s??? A local station I think.

Steve Julian mentioned the smudge pot reports broadcast over KFI in years past; my maternal grandfather was one of those who stoked smudge pots to help save the local orange crop from the freezing temperatures. He spoke of having to work in the bitter cold while wearing clothing saturated with oil. (He witnessed at least one worker catch fire.)

During the 1930s, my grandparents lived on a small orange ranch on Holt Ave owned by my great grandparents (located at the northwest corner of Holt and Clark, which later was the location of Pomona Dodge, and is now occupied by an Asian shopping center).

One last thought about smudging -- my grandparents tell of the soot being so thick in the air that homeowners would take down their drapes and cover the furniture, and would need to repaint every year. They said the air quality could be so bad that they would have trouble seeing across the sanctuary of the old First Baptist Church building at Holt and Garey.

So, things that are not here anymore: Orange ranches on Holt; new car dealers on Holt; and filthy air due to smudging, that makes our air conditions today seem pristine!

[...Not to mention the First Baptist Church building at Holt and Garey. -- DA]

My dad took my brother and me to KWOW a few times. It was a little building in the middle of a field in south Pomona. He knew one of the jocks, but I don't remember very much of being there.

KASK at one time had a storefront studio on the Pomona Mall, about the 400 block of east 2nd street. My buddy Andy and I would take the city bus from Garey Hi after school, and sometime during school, and hang out with the DJ. He gave us free records, let us cue up records, and even talk on the radio a little.

KKAR I don't remember where they were at, but the first record our band Jerry and The Uniques recorded got played some. Of course we had to call and request it every hour. They finally said, "That's it, Jerry, don't call anymore."

I remember back in the day (1980s) when I used to go work out at Jack LaLlanes Health Spa in West Covina, and then go to Bengie's on Central Avenue in Upland. Bengie's was the place to go for big sandwiches like patty melts and burgers that were huge including steak fries.

Who could forget about Castaways Restaurant up on the hill next to Pomona Valley Mining Company? The once-famous restaurant that was really owned by Bob Denver and Alan Hale of "Gilligan's Island" fame.

If sportsbars was your thing, one could go to Sneakers.

Back in the (1980's) when on every corner (it seemed) were gay bars. There was Robbies, Gents, Alibi East just to name a few.

It was a different time back then, and I'm just loving reliving those times in this blog, as I'm sure so is everyone else thats posted here.

David, I have an idea for another article that just might get this much attention, if not more. How about a blog dedicated to "Things that are still here"?

I'd like to kick that off with what I mentioned earlier, the Pomona Valley Mining Company. What do you think?

[After this thread plays out, we might try that, Randy. About Castaways being owned by the Skipper and Gilligan, I admit I have my doubts. Sounds like a (sub)urban legend. Anyone know if it's true? -- DA]

Great memories, everyone! The mention of Berger's Restaurant in Ontario (they served the best burgers and malts ever!) at Holt & Euclid brought back my thoughts of Coffee Johns, a 24-hour coffee shop which was a half block west on Holt and the site of one of my first real jobs. It is now a Mexican cafe.

Also, nice to hear someone else remembers Edwards Ranch Restaurant on Mission in Pomona. My grandmother always took us there for the Thanksgiving dinners, not to mention the outasite chicken.

No one mentioned The Hot Dog Show, a red shack that stood between Taco Lita and Grinder Haven at San Antonio and Holt in Ontario. On Fridays, my dad would get seven hamburgers for a dollar! It burned down, as did adjacent King Cole Market, in the early '60s. I visited both smoldering sites, as well as the fresh cinders of Thrifty's Drug Store at 4th and Mountain in Ontario, on my trusty Western Auto bike.

Another unmentioned eatery was the Chicken Coop, featuring 'broasted chicken,' located midblock on Holt between Mountain and San Antonio.

Probably the funniest memory served up was the person who mentioned Burger Q...a purveyor of modern fast food on Mountain Ave below G Street in Ontario (they had the first drive up speakers in town for ordering) that featured hamburgers with the secret vinegary "Q" sauce. I ate a lot there...I dated the counter girl!

Does anyone remember Montes Diner in La Verne? Great Mexican food, hamburgers & malts...just east of the original Bonita High School (now Damien High). Popular spot for students, teachers, coaches & the entire La Verne community.

Yes, Mel's Drive In was converted to a locksmith store. Orange Julius memory: a little stand on Garey Ave/La Verne Rd in Pomona near Shakey's Pizza & Mayfair Market.. Breakfast at Carls, Holt west of East End...best pancakes, my favorite was the Plantation Platter.

Always the enabler, we need to continue the reminiscing into the '60s, which is apropos of the subject.

A few comments from others reminded me of long-forgotten area treasures. I had forgotten all about the King Cole markets, and especially Burger Q. My paternal grandparents lived just east of Mountain on I St. I can remember going to both places.

Randall, regarding the Castaway being owned by Gilligan and the Skipper, I agree with David that it probably was an urban legend. Alan Hale did own a restaurant on La Cienega called the Lobster Barrel, but I haven't seen any reference to the former eatery atop Ganesha.

With regards to the radio stations in the area, Mt Sac's student station was indeed KSAC.

Lastly, how about indigenous area delivery companies? Growing up, our milkman was employed by the Shady Grove Dairy. Our Good Humor Man dished out Sidewalk Sundaes from the Tropical Ice Cream Co, which I believe was located on Reservoir(?). Naturally, we all looked forward to the afternoon delivery of baked goodness from the Helms truck. I can still see those drawers being pulled out with all those donuts.

Across the street from the Hull House was Roy's Liquor & Delicatessen.. Awesome Beef Dips !!! How about all the TASTEE FREEZE'S around town??? Can you name the locations ??

[I know one was on Mission between Garey and Towne. It's now a Chinese food outlet (Bamboo Express, if memory serves) and still has the awesome Tastee Freeze sign. I think they even serve ice cream. -- DA]

I can think of two. On Garey just south of the high school and near the Pom Lanes bowling alley. The other was pretty much on the campus of La Verne college.

I agree with JMac that the Castaways wasn't owned by Gilligan and the Skipper. He also got it right about "The Skipper's Lobster Barrel" on La Cienega which had a drawing of Alan Hale, Jr. on the sign and was frequented by him in his later years.

The Castaway in Pomona was a sister to the one on the hill above Burbank, which I was more familiar with. A traditional steak restaurant with dark wood and large fireplace, and open fire pits on the outdoor dining patios.

I remember the Tastee Freeze on Mountain (now Spikes) across from McDonald's. It had great food. But I believe McDonald's coming along was the reason for its demise.

Hi Dave. Haven't heard mention of the ABC Union Stores. One on Central in Montclair near Moreno and the other at "Five Points" (Holt and Ganesha Blvd.).

Liberty Groves on 19th; Cucamonga Mesa Growers; then there was the house on Euclid and 19th owned by the "Cracker Jack" king.

[For those not in the know, the Cracker Jack guy in question invented the wax packaging that allowed Cracker Jack to stay fresh, so that it could be shipped across the country and become a nationally known product. -- DA]

Pomona had two Top 40 radio stations: AM 1220 KKAR and AM 1600 KWOW. I remember KKAR being active in remote broadcasts. I worked briefly for KWOW as a news stringer in the late 1970s, hired by Dennis Michael who went on to CNN as an entertainment reporter.

Loved the story about the grandfather who stoked the smudge pots. Mine worked as a pipe fitter at the old Kaiser steel mill in Fontana. He'd make the drive each day to and from Pomona.

We also had Shady Grove Dairy deliveries of OJ and milk in glass bottles with the paper caps. And my mom would put a blue placard in our kitchen window if she wanted the Helms truck to stop.

There was a small church on Euclid at C Street, I believe, in Ontario. Purportedly haunted, it became the Gallery Theatre and hosted numerous dramas and musicals. One of my favorite performances (that I wasn't in...) was Fiddler on the Roof. A local judge, Duane Thomas, played Tevya. He was terrific. The structure's now gone. A fellow alum, for you NPR listeners, is Charles Phoenix. If you've never seen his God Bless Americana slide shows or related books, they're well worth the time.

No doubt many of us remember seeing a film at the Fox Theatre in Pomona. Just a block west, on Third Street, was a UA Theatre. I remember seeing King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable there in '63 or '64.

[Charles Phoenix is a favorite of mine. Readers of this blog should track down his book "Cruising the Pomona Valley 1930 Thru 1970," a guidebook to current and vanished midcentury architecture (bowling alleys, donut shops, burger stands, etc.) from Pomona, Ontario, etc., with vintage photos and ads. I consult it frequently. -- DA]

Charles also has a great website. I bet he'd enjoy reading through this posting.

[That's http://www.godblessamericana.com -- DA]

Another TASTEE-FREEZE location was on Holt just east of St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Pomona).

Someone asked about Henry's as a DISCO ??? You're so right. It was, to the best of my recollection, called Tiffany's and then Odyssey. Or maybe vice-versa.

[I think you have those in the correct order. -- DA]

My favorite....Donahoo's!

[But you do know Donahoo's is still here, right? -- DA]

Ray, if you're talking about the Tastee Freeze, residing on the northeast end of the church parking lot, I remember it being a Foster Freeze.

Which brings up the other establishments, no longer around on Holt, in the vicinity of St Joes. Probably one of the most popular was Di Gangi's. Then I recall an A-frame restaurant, called the Chateau, across the street from DiGangi's. Down along the west side, on the corner of Holt & Laurel, would have been Naples Italian Restaurant.

Lastly, on my walk home from St Joes after school, was another of those great neighborhood markets during those days......Bells Market on Orange Grove.

GREETINGS:

I find it amazing that so much information is still available through the collective memory of your readers, David. No question, this is a hot-button topic for a lot of us here in the area.

Quick adds to the TASTEE-FREEZE query: Yes, there was one adjacent to the University of La Verne campus. For those of us who were commuter students (and those averse to eating the food in the school's dining hall!), it was the place to grab lunch without leaving campus. The In-N-Out was a popular evening/late night choice, but during the school day it was more convenient to walk over to TF (and you didn't lose your parking place). Today, the building serves as the Music Annex, a practice area for the university's music program.

There was also a TASTEE-FREEZE located on Central Avenue in Montclair, south of I-10. It has changed hands several times since then -- I recall it was El Pavo, serving good Mexican food -- but still retains a great deal of the "classic" TASTEE-FREEZE architectural style.

I also vaguely recall one on Foothill Blvd., but for the life of me I can't remember the exact location or even the city.

One more "memory" jog -- How many people remember Hull's Barbecue on Central Ave. just south of Foothill Blvd.? It served (among other things) North Carolina-style BBQ and was a favorite haunt of Rick Dees.

To infinity and beyond!

The radio memories thread is a great one. I thought I was the only one who remembered KASK at 1510AM, then a top-40 station. One year (I think 1967) they had a promotion involving one of their deejays who vowed to remain on the air continuously (without sleep) for a week. He made it to three days, as I recall, devolving into word salad just before nodding off.

KWOW was indeed country western in the early sixties but went to automated pop format in the mid-seventies. My then-boyfriend was the night engineer, maintaining the computer-run system that paired the prerecorded announcer with the correct pop song. Occasionally the computer would go wacky, alarms would go off, the wrong song would be back-announced...and then the irate station manager would be on the phone. He never seemed to sleep!

GREETINGS:

Another Tastee Freeze was spotted in Upland. Although its demise wasn't til just a few years ago (5 or 6 years or so), it served the best ice cream in the Inland Empire. This location was on Mountain Avenue, just north of the 10 freeway on the left, directly across from the "what's not there" Millers Outpost.

One of the best jobs I ever had was working for the Cask 'N Cleaver chain back in the early to mid '80s. One of the best things I remember was I could work one night at Cask, and the next night at El Gato Gordo and the following night at Lord Charley's. El Gato Gordo & Lord Charley's, again, "what's not there anymore."

Attention anyone: I need some help here. I'm trying to think of the name of a restaurant in the Upland area (Foothill Blvd) that was next to Lord Charley's on the west side. Can anyone help? p.s. It too is "not here anymore."

To Charles Bentley: You mentioned your recollection of a Tastee Freeze somewhere on Foothill Blvd -- I think that there was one located in Upland in the vicinity of Foothill and Grove on the north side (near the current Arby's, Midas or Paint Bucket).

And to Randy Volm: I have great memories of the food at the Lord Charley's restaurant. I am not sure of the restaurant you are thinking about to the west of there, but I do remember the large A-framed DiCensos Italian restaurant located to the east of Lord Charley's, closer to Benson (I think it met its end when the Lowe's center was being built).

I'll throw in a few other fast food restaurants...anyone remember Pup 'n Taco, or Naugles?

[Speaking of DiCenso's, their daughter is, I believe, a hostess at Cafe Montclair! -- DA]

Jmac, you are right about Foster Freeze location next to ST. JOE'S. Now to help Randall. Was it OLIVER'S you're thinking of?? Oliver's became Lord Charley's. Across the street "NEW CHINA" used to be "SAGE HEN" with a beautiful neon sign on Foothill. Of course all this info is to the "best of my recollection." A trip down Central Ave reminds me of OZZIE'S OASIS Hamburger stand & one of the first BAKER'S TACO'S..both in the vicinity of Central & Kingsley.

I remember The Dinnerhorn restaurant on Second Street, next door to Fedway. I never went in it but from the outside it looked really "swanky." I like to think that if Hugh Hefner had ever come to Pomona in 1960, he would have dined at The Dinnerhorn. Anyone have memories of the inside? Here's a photo:

http://www.csupomona.edu/~jelerma/pomona/dinnerhorn.jpg

[The Dinnerhorn later became Robbie's, then a series of shortlived nightclubs, then a new incarnation of Robbie's. -- DA]

Pup n Taco (Pomona) N/W corner of Holt/Towne. I'm going to take a shot at location of Jan's Seafood. It was north of Hillbilly Haven (Towne/Holt). Jan's was converted to "Vallarta" Restaurant. Any confirmations on this info? Boy !! Towne & Holt was a busy corner.

This could go on and on. We used to ride our bikes in the KWOW 1600 field area of Olive and Mills and who could forget the jingle....Anytime you're ready, anytime at all, Listen to the station at the top of the dial...KWOW 1600 Pomona....California.

Hi David,

What a great walk down memory lane. A coworker of mine brought your blog to my attention (and I'm glad she did) because my dad's name was mentioned, Dr. William Kelber (a.k.a. Dr. Bill).

Dr. Kelber's Animal Hospital was an ugly green building on the southwest corner of Holt and Mountain in Ontario since the late '40s. My dad treated local residents' dogs and cats for over 40 years, and he loved every minute of it. Each one of us five kids had to put in our time working at the pet hospital when we were growing up. Great memories. My dad and mom, Rose Kelber, loved Ontario and spent their lives proudly serving their community. They are greatly missed by all.

As posted by Steve F., my dad was not an owner of O'Reilly's restaurant, but rather my godparents, Ray and Millie Schulman, were the owners. O'Reilly's not only had the best hamburgers in town and the aforementioned ice cream sundae bar, but also had the most wonderful homemade pies, made fresh daily by Mrs. Parisien. Oh, and we shouldn't forget their broasted chicken, which was spectacular. Millie, by the way, better known as "Mrs. O'Reilly," is still living in Ontario at the age of 98 years old.

Thanks for the great column! Write on!

[Will do, Carolyn! Thanks for the great comments. I love the name Mrs. Parisien. -- DA]

Randy Volm:

Was the restaurant west of Lord Charleys called Olivers?

Cotton Goffs Volkswagen

Hi Carolyn, Was there a public swimming pool in that vicinity Mountain/Holt ??? Maybe east of O'Reilly's ?

How about the Kosher Pickle on South Garey just before the 71? They had great deli food. There was also a gym next door (can't recall the name). Last time I looked the entire site was fenced. Too bad.

Ray,

I remember a swimming pool near the southwest corner of Mountain and Holt, but the one I am thinking of was not a public pool, but rather a smallish one in front of a nondescript commercial building that I believe once housed a pool-building company. In later years, that building was occupied by a Harley-Davidson dealership, and has since been remodeled extensively (and the pool was filled in years ago).

And Carolyn, I remember your father's old veterinary building at the corner of Mountain and Holt. Also, as a child I had several meals at the old O'Reilly's restaurant (I liked the sundae bar!), and now I work in that same building every day...my father's company, The Paint Bucket, purchased the building from the Schulman's in the late 1970s. Even today, we will have customers jokingly order a burger along with their semi-gloss enamel.

Has anyone mentioned Sir George's Smorgasboard on Garey Ave south of La Verne Rd? Also in that area was Crossroads Market. It is now M-1 Surplus. Mexico Lindo #1 ?? was a very small stand on Mission Blvd, west of San Antonio (Pomona)

Dear Linda,

I'm not really sure what the restaurant was that was located on Foothill Blvd. next to the Lord Charlie's Restaurant (to the west). Although I do recall a restaurant being there at one time. It's why I've enlisted the help of people in this thread to help me out. But, thanks for your help anyway :)

While reading through these blogs day after day, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Love's Woodpit BBQ. One of the few places in town to have really good ribs and beans. Why, I still even remember a portion of their commercial jingle, "When You're In Love's, the Whole World's Delicious." Just brings back a lot of memories of days gone by.

A couple of birthdays over the weekend reminded me of where my Mom would get our birthday cakes every year: Walters Bakery. Which I believe was on Holt near Erie?

That was THE place to get one of those great themed birthday sheet cakes. All of them 3D, such as a prehistoric scene with volcanos made of icing, with several different colors of food dye for effect. Scattered around the cake were several plastic dinosaurs and palm trees larger than the dinos themselves. The white cake with lemon filling was terrific as I recall.

Fast forward to the '70s and the Magnolia Peach on Mountain & Arrow in Upland, along with the Ruddy Duck on Foothill in Claremont, were a couple of my after-work hangouts. The Magnolia Peach was a very popular happy hour hangout as I recollect.

David, we just might get this post to 100 yet!!

[If we don't, it won't be through lack of effort on your part. Thanks, JMac. -- DA]

Was the restaurant next to Lord Charlie's on Foothill "El Gato Gordo"?

Dear Sue Anne,

I'm sorry to say that it wasn't the El Gato Gordo. El Gato Gordo was located on Foothill Blvd. @ Mountain Ave. (where Walgreen's now sits). Lord Charlie's sat west on Foothill Blvd, west of Central Ave. Thanks for your help anyway :)

I heard that the Taco Bell on Mission east of Garey just closed down. And there used to be an IHOP on Holt and East End.

[That was an original IHOP too. It was knocked down maybe four years ago. Ditto with the Van de Kamp's building on the other side of Holt. -- DA]

I'm really thinking now that the restaurant on Foothill next to Lord Charlies was Olivers, and I believe it burned down.

Hey Jules,

That's so interesting about the Paint Bucket. Small world.

Actually, the Schulmans owned a paint store on the north side of Holt, just west of Euclid prior to opening O'Reilly's. It was called Raymond's Fuller Paint Store. Quite a few years after they opened the paint store, they opened a burger joint on the north side of Holt, east of Euclid called Laddie's. That was way back in the '50s.

I believe the pool you're talking about was Shinkle Pools (not so sure about the spelling), which was next door to my father's pet hospital, and yes, it was later sold to a Harley dealership.

Dear Linda,

Guess what? you're right. The restaurant next to Lord Charlie's was Olivers before it burned down.

I had a long talk with my dad about that particular restaurant, and he reminded me, that he was going to go into a partnership with someone that worked at the Cask 'N Cleaver in Rancho Cucamonga a few years prior to burning down. My dad, at that time, owned B&E Alignment in Ontario, on Holt, east of Mountain Ave. It's still there, now my brother Robert owns and runs the place.

Thanks to all who tried to think of Olivers Restaurant. I am now confident that I can rely on people here to help me out, whenever I need it. :)

David, hope to see 100th post sometime soon :)

[For a while I was worried we'd have 100 posts on the topic of what was next to Lord Charley's! Glad that was cleared up. -- DA]

Hey David,

Looks like the "posted by" slots are a little bit off on the last three postings. I was the one who posted the comments about the Paint Bucket, O'Reilly's and Shinkle Pools, on January 24 at 3:55pm, not Linda.

:) Carolyn

[Maybe after 90-some comments, the blog machinery is wearing down. -- DA]

Anyone remember the "Claremont Jungle"?

Linda queried....Anyone remember the "Claremont Jungle"?

Definitely! Every time I ever entered it, I recall a very distinct fragrance wafting about the place.

[I have no idea what you guys are talking about. -- DA]

Don't forget "Gravity Hill" on the way to Mount Baldy. You would park at the bottom of the grade and roll uphill. Unfortunately it is gone since they regraded the road.

[Sounds like a local version of the Mystery Spot! -- DA]

"The Jungle" in Claremont: The area of the Pomona College campus north of 1st Street, between Amherst and Mills (there's a soccer/rugby field there now) was naturally overgrown and not maintained up through the '60s. Kind of a pocket of rural wildlands next to downtown Claremont.

It was the site of most of the illicit fun you can imagine college students and other youthful Claremonters might engage in. Its reputation was such that there was always a little edge of fear about just walking through the Jungle.

Is there a prize for the 100th post?

[Is the thanks of a grateful nation enough? Good job, Bob. -- DA]

I was telling my mom, Jeanette (Acuna) Holsten about this thread, and she was wondering if anyone remembers one of the first drive-in restaurants in the '40s called "Mona's Drive-In" on Holt, near Campus in Ontario. Two of her aunts worked there as car hops, wearing short skirts and serving food wearing roller skates. She remembers it was owned by a man name Price Barrett.

(Hey, is this post going to be # 100?!)

[Sorry, Judi, you're No. 101. If it's any consolation, it's a palindromic, euphonious number. -- DA]

The "Gravity Hill" post reminded me of another road relic.......The "Baseline Dips." The series of road moguls from about Mills to Benson. Anytme in my youth that we were east of those, I'd beg Pops to drive home via the Baseline Dips, for that roller coaster ride. Naturally, when I got my license, it then became an early XGames sport, to see how far we could launch our vehicles!

Judi, I don't remember "Mona's Drive-In," it was slightly before my time. The closest I can come to it is, I remember every Sunday, after church, my parents would take us kids to the Dairy Queen that sat on Holt near Campus in their heyday.

JMac - Holy cow, man! I forgot all about the "Baseline Dips." OMG we had so much fun driving it doing 50, 60, even 70mph! It was probably the most fun I had in my day when I started driving. The one thing I do remember about that is, it wasn't highly reccommended at high rates of speed after a full meal! We were just kids then, who cared? LOL! Wow! Thanks for the memory!

How about the Guasti Dip, that was a real zinger at about 50 mph. 19th Street was a good road for dips in the '50s, from Euclid to wherever. Like Randall said we were just kids, but it was fun!!!!

Was that section of Baseline called "MILE of DIPS" ????

WOW !!! All this driving around !!! What was the price of gas ? JIMMY'S Gas Station was my choice. Fill it up with ETHYL please !!

Ray,

Gas was about 25 cents a gallon, we would all pitch in 50 cents, buy around $2.00 worth of gas and "cruise" the night away. Seems like another world now!!

Another one of those things that aren't here anymore: Gas under a dollar. I remember when in high school, I'd go to the skypower station in Azusa and get 4 gallons for $1. That would usually be enough to get me to and from the Village Theater in Azusa where I worked through the weekend.

Well, David, you knew I would have to weigh in sooner or later on places that used to be here. It's a real joy reading all the entries and realizing that I ain't the only one that remembers the way it used to be here in Pomona Valley!

I didn't grow up here, but I did come as a young adult in the '60s and didn't know when I was transferred in to run the Village Theatre in Claremont that I would fall in love with the area and keep managing and owning movie theatres (and one restaurant) in the area right on through my life and I'm not done yet!

No one has mentioned Bondellos', which was a delightful little cozy restaurant in Ontario on the north side of Holt east of Central. It had the old red leather booths and had the best steak sandwiches at very moderate prices.

How I have wished over the years that it was still around. It had the type of atmoshere of the Mural House near the airport but was smaller.

[Suddenly I'm hungry for a steak sandwich. Especially one at a moderate price. -- DA]

Dear David,

Here's to my final post, in this thread, about a place that was beloved by the people who went there throughout its existence.

This particular place, exquisite in decor, attracted millions, if not more, yet it wasn't a popular restaurant nor a hotel chain during its tenure. As a matter of fact, it wasn't even in the IE.

Centrally located in the heart of Orange County, Buena Park to be exact, once stood Movieland Wax Museum. Wax figures of celebrities in their most famous roles they were known for, such as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz." I really enjoyed going there as a kid, and well into my adult life.

Sadly, everything has to make way for progress. Movieland Wax Museum finally closed its doors for the last time in 2005. In early 2007, Buena Park City Council decided to condemn the building to make way for a Best Buy and a few restauants.

David,

Thank you for this wonderful thread that gave many of us a chance to remember a time that we loved. It brought many a smile, a tear of two, and lots of good conversation! I still say this column is why I subscribe to this paper.

[You're welcome, Linda, and thanks for the support. -- DA]

You see, back in those days, rich men would ride around in Zeppelins, dropping coins on people, and one day I seen J. D. Rockefeller flying by. So I run out of the house with a big washtub. I’d just used it that morning to wash my turkey, which in those days was known as a walking bird. We'd always have walking bird on Thanksgiving with all the trimmings: cranberries, injun eyes, yams stuffed with gunpowder. Then we'd all watch football, which in those days was called "baseball".

Anyway, we can’t bust heads like we used to, but we have our ways. One trick is to tell ‘em stories that don’t go anywhere -- like the time I caught the ferry over to Shelbyville. I needed a new heel for my shoe, so, I decided to go to Morganville, which is what they called Shelbyville in those days.

So I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time. Now, to take the ferry cost a nickel, and in those days, nickels had pictures of bumblebees on ‘em. ‘Give me five bees for a quarter,’ you’d say. Now where were we?

Oh yeah - the important thing was I had an onion on my belt, which was the style at the time. They didn’t have white onions because of the war. The only thing you could get was those big yellow ones...

[Always a treat to hear about the old days from Homer Simpson's father. Thanks for dropping by, Abe. -- DA]

Sup ya'll,

first, I would like to start off by saying that It's great reading all this stuff about the Pomona and surrounding Pomona areas. See compared to all of you I'm a pup, not to offend anyone or call anyone old, but here I am thinking "shoot I never knew places like the ihop or van de kamps existed in pomona." I just thought I'd post up on here and update you guys on what's in Pomona now.

Well on eastend and holt where the Sears used to be, well, it's a High school (Village Academy High). Now I actually graduated from there, class of 05 first graduating class ever. I think the van de kamps was closed down for a good while and finally torn down the IHOP became Tacos Mexico and then torn down all due to PUSD taking over.

Where the original Pomona High used to be, it was a thrifty drug store (pretty good ice cream) along with an ALPA grocery store and now a 99 cents only store and Cardenas grocery store. Across the street (north of holt) used to be a car dealership that burned down and now it's a rite aid. The tastee freeze in Pomona on Town and mission became a Fastees which was a mexican, chinese, and american fast food dive all in one (the best $1.07 burgers around), and then later became (current) bamboo express.

The locksmith on palomares and holt was a tobacco shop and did close down because of junkies but now its just a vacant little building surrounded by Wells fargo bank and Pep boys. Garey and second street is like the hot spot for teenagers with the glass house putting on rock shows every weekends and the arts colony (second street east of garey) hosting farmers market every wednesday.

The Fox theater is going under renovations as so is the Hotel were Lucille Ball aparantly spent a night at. Some scenes for Dr. Seuss's Cat and the Hat were shot on second street.

As for the sharks at Ganesha park, I think they are gone but I remember them being there when I was in second grade. One of my teachers from VAHS (Mr. Sherban Cira) showed us a movie called "Gang Boy" and that's probably the only images I have of olde Pomona.

Regardless, Pomona is a whole lot different now than what you guys makes it sound like.

As for Montclair, I actually work at Target and I remember the cinemas at the mall I must have been 7 when I first visited Montclair Plaza.

Quite frankly I would have loved to grown up in the 50s and 60s, but the 90s and the 2000's aren't bad we get to live the stuff we'll be reminiscing about in years to come, I already miss that taco bell on mission blvd.

[Your last paragraph is right on! -- DA]

jerry lerma,
the location you described Pup n taco was is now an autozone and jan's seafood did become vallarta and vallarta was torn down for a Walgreens.

[Oh, yeah, Vallarta was next to the also fondly remembered Red Hill Pizza. -- DA]

Does anyone remember what Indian Hill Blvd. was called back in the '50s??

[Alexander Avenue. -- DA]

How about the old Linbrook/Lindbrook hardware store near Moreno/Central in the '70s. Also, White Front on Mtn. Ave. south of the 10fwy which later became Fed Mart? Ah, the good old days. Worked at Mr. Steak as a teen. Greatest corner ever with El Gato Gordo, Mtn. Liquor, Mr. Steak, Boar's Head!

Wow -- memories -- I don't have time to go into detail (maybe later). I worked at Greene's Deli with Chris, his mom Dawn, Jim, the owner, John on liquor side...this was in '78 and '79.

Remember Mel's? In the Pep Boy's parking lot? Across the street from Stockwell & Binney?

And what about Mama Rosa's Pizza by Schiro's liquor -- and right across the street from...ahhh DiGange's Grinders! And then there was...Foster's Freeze!
Damn! Gotta go to work -- adulthood sucks! j/k.

[Thanks for dropping by, Mike. Come by again when you can spend more time. -- DA]

How about a place called something like JoJo's in Upland in the 1970's. It was right next to (north of) the San Bernardino Freeway, east of Euclid I believe. I remember there was a real screwy freeway on/off-ramp connected with it.

[Did JoJo's become Coco's? Sounds like the same area. -- DA]

In the late 1970's there was a restaurant on the south side of Foothill (near the Claremont Colleges) called something like "Danish Kitchen".

It was set back from Foothill and most of the parking lot was gravel. It wasn't fancy inside and it wasn't expensive. They had a swamp cooler for "air conditioning" as I recall. I used to love their pot roast!

As I remember the waitresses/staff were "Classics", just like the ones at Crystal Cafeteria in Pomona. Anyone know how long it was "Danish Kitchen" (or whatever) and any other history about the use of the building?

Great to hear about those radio memories. I was the mid-day dj on Top 40 1510/93.5 KASK Ontario in 1967. 1510 was KOCS before it was KASK. Went back there when it was KSOM and top 40 again in 1975. I also did midnight to 6am on country KWOW 1600 in 1970. In 1974 I was at 1220 country KKAR (under the name Jack Daniels there). Jonny Bruce, KDES-FM Palm Springs.

Does anyone remember a little place called the Tiger Cafe on Holt Blvd? My Uncle Tommy owned it. It stayed open after all the Blvd. bars closed. People lined up to get his Sober You Up chili before driving home.

What was the name of the tiny diner across the street from it? How's this? On the corner of Holt and Campus. The Bamboo Hut.

Next door was a liquor store with great penny candy. Next to that was Goldie's variety store. It had great, cheap toys. But, she was a mean old bird and kids were actually afraid to go in there.

Or, the Dairy Queen on Holt, just east of Campus.

Browsing through this blog, I read the comment from John Clifford, regarding Henry's Restaurant in Pomona, CA. It brought back many memories.

Yes, it looked like a flying saucer, which in reality was the design for the drive-in parking. The restaurant itself had a coffee shop, a dining room, a cocktail lounge and a huge room for banquets. My first job was there, as a busboy. I worked my way to become the a soda jerk, then the fry cook...went into the service, got out and continued my culinary career. The owner of that restaurant also owned four others located in Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra and Arcadia. All were called Henry's Chicken-In-The-Rough, except Arcadia, which was Carpenters.

The Pomona address was at the corner of Garey and Foothill Blvds. I miss the place as much as I miss my father, James P. Kennedy, the owner of these establishments. Went I went to work there as a freshman in high school, my father told me I was not to tell anyone who I was, I was to be treated like everyone else. However a waitress recognized me and said, You're Mr. K's boy, aren't you?

I admitted so, and she spoke this praise which I now know at a much older age, how priceless her comment was.

"Gary", she said, "I'm going to tell you something about your Dad, that won't mean much now, but will someday. You see, in this business (restaurant) people gossip a lot. Customers gossip about customers, workers talk about other workers,..it's really a shame. But in working for your Dad almost 15 years, I have never heard him say one bad word about anyone, and I have never heard one person every say a bad word about him. Your Dad is one of the finest men on this earth."

She was right. I didn't understand it then, but her words stayed with me, and I understand them now. Wish I could have been more like him.

He passed away in 1993, just as Henry's restaurants are also gone. Thanks Mr. Clifford for reminding me of how lucky my life was, and still is.

[Wonderful to hear from you, Gary. -- DA]

I used to live in Pomona from 1975-1986. I used to remermber a restaurant named Robbie's on Second Street. Is it still there or has it been torn down? Or does anyone have pictures of it when it was still standing that they maybe can share with me? I recently saw an article on it where 40 years ago Bobby Kennedy spoke there while campaigning for the California primary.

Also if you have pictures of Buffums can you share also? Thank you very much.

[Robbie's closed a couple of years ago and the building is owned and used by a Western University. -- DA]