Bruce Wilson

More drive-ins and Third Avenue. Note old phone prefixes still in use in 1961.

Bill's - featuring Max Abanira. Bill's slogan: "Why Take Less - Get the Best".

$.23 Burritos.

Bruce Wilson

Was anybody packin' when we were in elementary school?

Chula Vista police: Feaster Charter School student brought gun to school

http://www.10news.com/news/chula-vista-police-feaster-charter-school-student-brought-gun-to-school-020614

Bruce Wilson

Commerce gradually shifted tothe  H Street shopping center. Photo 1965. If you look  closely, they even named a building after Annie Marston.

Rosalee May (Rosie) O'Day (Mason)

I remember shortly after the CV Shopping center was opened, my mom and I were shopping in The Leader Department store (where EVERYONE used to shop, especially for Scouting uniforms).  We asked if the opening of the shopping center had hurt them much, and the clerks said that their business had dropped by 50%.  It wasn't long after that that the Leader and many of the stores on 3rd Avenue closed their doors.  The CV shopping center marked the demise of our bustling Third Avenue downtown shops -- Nancy's Dress Shop, Universal Boots, Sprouse-Reitz, and William's Men's Store, to name a few.

Bruce Wilson

Right Rosie. The Highlander too.

The Vogue and Chub's Club survived (all right! let's hear it for snooker, cigar smoke and the card room). It's interesting to see that a few stores have survived to this day though.

I'll probably come back to this later, but a lot of businesses have disappeared. There was a small music store and also a bicycle store across the street from La Bella (as I recall the bike store was where the old Seville theatre was). Mrs. Cooper's (small) candy store about two doors down from G street on the same block and the House of Music across the street. There is still some controversy as to whether Wolfman Jack recorded his show (for transportation down to in Baja) there or further down Thrid near the old Weinerschnitzel.

"After Wolfman Jack temporarily left XERF 1570-AM he moved to XERB "The Big- 1090" and was DJ and station manager from 1966-1971. The station was actually licensed to Bob Smith aka Wolfman Jack for the Tijuana / Rosarito area of Baja California, Mexico."

Rosalee May (Rosie) O'Day (Mason)

Hey Bruce,

I didn't know if you knew it or not, but Chub's club was owned by a gentleman who was a member of the John Birch Society.  He used to let me come in there and play pool even though women usually didn't go in, mainly because he was a friend of my dad.  I think his name was "Chub" Irwin.  He was very nice but later got a lot of bad publicity because of his so called "radical" ties.

George Bracey Gillow

Does anyone remember the Piggly Wiggly at 281 3rd Ave?.  We arrived to Chula Vista in 1958 and I do not remember the store being there.  I think it may have closed in the 1940s or early 1950s.

I remember Coopers Hobby shop on 3rd.  I bought a lot of Revell plastic models there.

How about the Sprouse Reitz at 261 3rd.  Interesting that there is still a reminder of this 5 and 10 cent store at the front entrance.

Bruce Wilson

Great reminder and discovery George.

The Piggly Wiggly I remember was in Imperial Beach, on the south side of Palm Ave. near where you make the sweeping right to head out to Coronado.

I had forgotten that Rosie. Mr. Irwin it was.  As I recall, he had to battle the city to keep the card room open over the years. His son got into the computer business fairly early on. Did you have to run out the back-door on the (rare) police sweeps? There was a blond guy, who lived right near Third & E, named Jay(?), who grew up in Chub's and actually made quite a bit of money as a pool hustler.

I'm going to try to find out when Chub's closed. By this photo, however, it was open for a long time. Those cars are about 1936-1938 vintage.

Zontek's moved down next to The Vogue and after a number of different incarnations the location is still a restaurant today.

Bruce Wilson

Sprouse Reitz. Couldn't find CV, but here's Laguna Beach (1939) where I also lived.

I'm wondering what the market was on the south side of E Street between Third and Fourth.

Michele swears I told her the name of the market at Third and K (north of K and on the east side of Third, diagonally across from the Triangle Market), but I can't remember it now.

Bruce Wilson

Not only was Dwight David Eisenhower, former visitor to Chula Vista, a sentinel commentator on the future of the United States;

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. "

he also was an early adopter of The Facebook method, providing a huge boost to the Poodle Skirt Industry in the process.

Is this young lady anyone we know?

Michele Lynette Adney (Aldrich)

Wow!  What a splash of memories!!!  Fun!!!  I moved to Chula Vista when in the 5th grade & attended Rosebank.  Then Chula Jr. 7th grade and in 8th grade attended 1/2 days until Hilltop Jr. was finished.  Pictures of Sprouse Reitz brought back memories.  It was my first job other than baby-sitting.  I worked there for the Christmas season.  Then, when I graduated, I worked at Beneficial Finance on the corner of 3rd & E.  It was in that little "Disney" building which I believe is still standing,  Yes, I shopped at Leaders.  3rd Ave. was a great place to work because you could walk to stores during your lunch break and spend all your money.  *_*   As to the ferry boats, I miss those!  They were inexpensive entertainment.  When I was very little, my aunt would pack a sack lunch and we would spend the afternoon riding back and forth.  It was such a treat.  Now, when I get home for a visit, my favorite place to go is the Ferry Landing on Coronado.  We sit there enjoying the view, watching boats & people and drinking Mocha Lattes. 

BTW - I doubt if most of you will remember me.  I'm not not Michelle Baker or Michele Walters ...  I'm the "other" Michele.  LOL!  I was very quiet in school.  I tended to eat lunch then sit in the library reading.  I was in choir & I did serve on the Lance & Pennon.  Still, it's been fun to enjoy the memories.  I'm hoping to be able to make it to the 50th.  My goodness!  Has it really been that long.     Michele Adney Aldrich

Bruce Wilson

Michele: Good to hear from you. We can't get enough of Michele around this household. Do you still sing? My Michele does, but I'm inclined to think she was never in the choir. There is some HHS choir video on the Youtube if I recall correctly.

.

Michele Lynette Adney (Aldrich)

Thanks for replying.  I didn't realize you were married to a Michele.  I see she is also a one "L" Michele.  LOL!  We are few and far between but I guess that makes us special.  *_*   Looking forward to September & the reunion.  Actually, looking forward to being somewhere warm for a change.  I live in Iowa and we have had way too many -0 days. 

Yes, I continued singing for many years.  In choir, in small groups, as a soloist.  Mostly in church.  Haven't done much lately like that but do still love to sing.    Til September.......

Bruce Wilson

George: Does anyone remember the Piggly Wiggly at 281 3rd Ave?.

That's a few doors from Chub's Club (275 3rd. Ave). I think you're right it must have closed by the fifties. I sure don't remember seeing it, when I would go to Cornell's (288 3rd Ave.) to buy my Hardy Boys books.

Just did a little checking. By 1961, 281 3rd Ave. was occupied by "The Esquire" at GA 2-9626. Chula Vista population was pegged at 35,557 that year.

Michele Ruth Walter

Hi, Michele!  How amazing to reconnect with so many after so many ( and I mean MANY!) years!  Thanks so much for the reminder of the few "Michele's/Michelle's in our class!  I do remember one more, but I don't believe she graduated from Hilltop...she lived on H street one block over from where I lived on Shasta, Michele Duffy.  Did you know her?  She must have gone to St Rose or she moved before graduation.  Anyway, I spent a number of fun days visiting her and her family.  I also went the other direction and visited with Linda Tatreau on Whitney St. ( also a short walk).  We played card games by the hours ( war, rummy) and I learned to play chess at her house.  Nice memories!  Thanks so much!  Hope to talk again soon!  Michele

Michele Ruth Walter

Hi, again:  I DO sing alllll the time, and I must say it is ever so slightly off key!  It is a bit of joke in the family.  My granddaughter has been fortunate enough to inherit the gift...we would both love to be able to sing the way it sounds as though you sing, but since we cannot....la la la lala!   :)

Actually, I like to sing oldies but goodies...and many of the songs I like to sing are those I learned from Shayne Schuller's mom in elementary school!  They were nonsensical songs, but very fun to sing..."Im an Acorn Fat and Round" and "Im a Little Doll who was Dropped and Broken"...just to name a couple.  As a matter of fact, my daughter has passed that last one on to my granddaughter; she sings it to her every year at Christmas.  Ronni Schuller spent a lot of time with many of us while we were in elementary school, taught us a tremendous amount on what is available in terms of the arts, and provided us with a truck load of treasured memories....many thanks.

Bruce Wilson

Well, maybe you saw it coming, maybe not. Here's Neil Young, just about our age.

Roberta Ann (Robin) Chavez (Groefsema)

Rosie, My first real job was at Sears, 90 cents a hour and when I left 3 years later I was making $2.10 a hour.  My mom worked at Irvings and Sprouse Reitz was my favorite place to buy Christmas presents for my folks

Bruce Wilson

Vista Square June, 1946 (six months pre me)

Michele Lynette Adney (Aldrich)

Michele, looking at your picture I can still see the Michele from 7th grade Home Ec class.  Remember Mrs. Doris Cox?  I have to admit I gave up any thing "Home Ec" after that class.  It didn't help that the only 3 Michele/Michelle's were in the same class, sitting at the same table.  But thankfully, I had thankfully, I had Mrs. Joanne Carson my senior year for a sewing class I got assigned to accidentally.  Because of her, my daughters & granddaughters had clothes to wear and I've enjoyed making fun things throughout my adult years. 

It's funny that you mentioned Linda Tatreau!  I've just connected with her on Facebook.  She is actually married to Stanley Hall.  He & I "share" a cousin and we were part of the same youth group at church.  She certainly is living an interesting life and has an awesome house on Guam.   Small world!

Keep on singing & making a "joyful noise"!  It lifts the spirit and warms the heart. 

Michele - stuck in the fozen world of Iowa (tonight is going to be a low of -26 and tomorrow a high of -5 ..... UGH!) but looking forward to, hopefully, warmer weather when I head to Florida on Friday for 2 weeks!!!

Bruce Wilson

More fodder for the trivia cannon.

My brothers were both in the Retail Clerks Union for a while (remember how few jobs there werre in CV?).

Woodie worked at Dee Gee market on Broadway near F, Keith at Mayfair on H between Broadway and the freeway.

Thus, my interest in grocery stores that disappeard. Lucky (I believe the one at Third & K), Dee Gee, Foodarama, Mayfair (two), Safeway (?), Food Basket (two?), Piggly Wiggly (thanks to George). There also was a very small grocery store (more like a mini-market) across the street form Chub's Club on Third.

Did anybody else live in the housing project, Hilltop Cirlce, that is now the site of the Hilltop (Junior High) Middle School?

Video on Memorial Park and Thrid Avenue. (Take note that the museum used to be Bill's Drive-In).

http://vimeo.com/35533072

Susan L. Frise

Does anyone remember what we used to call the "lemon factory"?  We used to walk past it on our way to and from swimming lessons at the CV plunge on Parkway and fill our towels (on the return trip) with lemons.  I think the Bank of America occupies it's old site on 3rd, near L St.  It was a lemon processing plant for all the old lemon groves that used to be in Chula Vista.

Bruce Wilson

Susan: The one I remember was at Third (East) & K (South). I don't think there were any buildings at Third & L. My paper route went right by there. We made some after hours visits to that place.

There are a number of photos of the plant. I'm pretty sure there was another one on the West side of Third and North side of K. If no one else does, I'll send up a photo later. (still no Noel, but I am persistent).

Keep on pickin'

George Bracey Gillow

Chula Vista Lemon Capital of the World:

There is a lot written about the lemon orchards and packing plants in Peter Watry's and Frank Roseman's books that I mentioned in message #3.

A couple of other good books on Chula Vista--that cover the lemon industry-- are:

Dr. Schoenherr’s book “Chula Vista Centennial: A Century of People and Progress, 1911-2011”

"Chula Vista Heritage 1911 - 1986" by City of Chula Vista

Both are available on Amazon.com and Abebooks.com

Susan is correct that the Sunkist Lemon packing plant was located at 3rd and K where the Bank of America is now located.   This is where the railroad track running down 3rd Ave ended. 

The other packing plant was located off of K street between 3rd and 4th.  The track spur leading to it curved behind the ARCO (then Atlantic Richfield) station at the northwest corner of 3rd and K.

The track down 3rd Ave started the curve toward F street at about where the History Museum is now located.  It serviced the "Pure Gold" packing plant that was located south of where the police station is now located at 4th and F st.  The track continued down F street where it connected to the main line.

Interesting that part of the rail still exists on F street west of Broadway.  It has been used to turn trains servicing the Rohr/Goodrich plant:

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Bruce Wilson

Did anyone ever stay in these cabins up in Pine Valley?