| Then&Now momentos of Americana from the past - and a look at what is there today |
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| then&now |
| The Suburban Sleuths at downeydreamer.com have located postcards of some memorable Downey buildings. Posted here are some favorites...a couple of which we really, really wish were still around. Postcards of "Then" in hand, we set out to photograph "&Now." See where Downey of the 50s and 60s is today. |
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| Then: The Gay Dog |
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This hotdog stand was once located at 9009 Gallatin Rd., just off of Lakewood Blvd. For certain, if this was still standing, it would be one of the top destinations in the LA-area driving circuit of 1950's "kitsch" monuments. A cool building (modified a-frame), great sign, hilarious name. If only it was still there. The menu (right) features "gay dogs," burgers, tamales, steaks, malts, chili and "plenty of parking." |
| &Now: non-descript box |
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The A-frame has been replaced by a non-descript white box with unapealing green stripes. The "flamboyant" vintage sign has been replaced by a bland, illegible frame along the side of the building In the same location now stands a taqueria. We love tacos, but would prefer to eat them from the same 50s kiosk. Within 20 miles of this intersection are countless similar buildings. Alas, in all of North America, there is no other "Gay Dog" that we are aware of. |
| Then: The Tahitian Village |
| The "Tahitian Village" is well documented on the 'net, and it's relatively recent demise has been lamented in Americana websites such as roadsidepeek.com and other Tiki sites dedicated to mid-century Polynesian Pop. The Tahitian Village is also famous for having housed the astronauts who worked on the Apollo & Gemini space missions at the nearby NASA site. In this context, its soaring, cantilevered roofline evokes not just a South Seas aesthetic, but also Downey's historical ties to aviation. At the time it opened in 1961, it was quite a glamorous place. Before it's demolition, the Tahitian Village was one of the three largest remaining "tiki-style" complexes in the United States. 13535 Lakewood Boulevard |
| &Now: Food For Less |
| It's too bad the Tahitian Village was allowed to fall in such a seedy state of disrepair. According to reports in the Downey Eagle, in was almost rehabilitated. A group of investors had purchased the property "for a bargain" in the late 90s, with the hopes of running it as a motel. Unfortunately, a history of code violations, arrests and drug warrants doomed the place, as it brought the full wieght of the city police and fire departments in favor of demolition and reuse as a commerical site.. Were it once stood is now a Food For Less discount grocery store. Hindsight is "20/20" as the expression goes; but had the Tahitian Village been re-habbed, by the early 00's this would be the center of the resurgence of "Tiki Culture" in the US. Once again, something unique in all of the US is replaced with something common. |
| A postcard from the past...and a current picture |
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| The back of the postcard is printed: (post-dated September 6, 1968) "Greetings from Downey California Looking northeast on Downey Avenue from Firestone Boulevard in the Central Business District. Founded in 1873 by former governor John G. Downey, this prosperous, flourishing City was once part of the great St. Gertrude's Rancho." Before mailing this card to Ohio, the sender wrote "It sure is nice here. Will be going to Palm Springs this week end." |
| This picture was taken 36 years later in September, 2004. A bit more foliage...and a bit less 50s signage...and a lot less activity. Today the downtown is a hodge-podge of restaurants and a handful of shops, along with several empty storefronts. On a Saturday we were about the only people walking about. Like downtowns throughout the US, this one has obviously suffered from the Big-Box retail syndrome. It would be nice to see some businesses take advantage of it's 'main street' setting. |
| Atomic-tile detail found on an entire section of wall on a building downtown |
| The "Avenue" theater marquee |
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The most well-known mid-century building in Downey is Johnie's Broiler, a spectacular Googie-style diner on Firestone Boulevard. Opened in the 1950s as "Harvey's Broiler" by restauranteur Harvey Ortner and designed by architect Paul Clayton. In the 1960s the new owner renamed it "Johnie's" Broiler. In the past Johnie's Broiler had a bit of star power. Tom Wolfe profiled the 1960s car culture of Johnie's in his novel "The Pump House Gang." Lily Tomlin played a waitress there in the 1993 film "Short Cuts." Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie used Johnie's in the 2001 video "What It Feels Like For A Girl." Most recently it was featured on the cover of "Googie Redux" by Alan Hess. |
| Detail of the 'fat boy' on the Johnie's Broiler sign |
| Inside view of Johnie's taken in 2001, view of counter. |
| Then: Downtown Downey |
| &Now: mixed results |
| Upon closer inspection a few hidden gems revealed themselves... |
| Then: Johnie's Broiler |
Johnie's remained in business until February 2002. After closing, the space was leased out to a used car dealer. After the new tenants gutted the place and started to dismantle the sign, alarmed community preservationists, the LA Modern Committee and various others created a campaign to get it "saved" by listing it on the register of historic places. Read a detailed account and the official nomination on the Recent Past Preservation site. Be careful when checking out Johnie's - a salesman accosted the deputy sleuth while trying to photograph, and said it was "illegal" to take pictures because they have had "too many people" coming by to check out the sign(!) Quite different than in 2001 (above) before the lease, when we were invited to take pictures of the interior. Someday hopefully it will be run as a diner again. |
| &Now: used car lot |
| Then: Las Palmeras Apartments |
| Resort Style Living! Postcard reads: Las Palmeras Apartments 12814 Lakewood Blvd Downey, Calif. TO 1-4696 Heated Pool - Barbecue Patio - Sun Deck 1 block from North American Autonetics, S. & I. D. |
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| interior view (above) during better days |
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| A postcard showing the original Downey Savings bank, located on Florence Avenue. The shape of the tall sign is still used in the corporate logo. |
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| Uncle Gabriel's Log Cabin Cafe at 11625 So. Paramount Blvd, Uncle Gabriel's invited customers to: "Pick your own Orange or Peach from our own orchard Trees" |
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| PC Sweda Smorgasbord Restaurant an earlier version of the Nordic Fox? |
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| postcard reads: HEATED POOL T.V. - PRIVATE PHONES 9403 E. Firestone Blvd., Downey, Calif. Phone Topaz 1-9235 "Meet Us At The Pool" |
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| &Now: the 105 Freeway on-ramp |
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| The "resort style living" of the Las Palmeras Apartments fell victim to CalTrans. |
| Then: Downey Savings (founded 1957) |
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| &Now: still standing |
| The original building is still standing, and amazingly the blue exterior details are intact. Currently used as a medical office. Notice how much the fig trees have grown since 1957. |
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| Then: Westwind Manor Motel |
| Now: under construction... |
| no sign of the heated pool. |
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| postcard reads: 8220 Telegraph Road, Downey, Calif. Phone Walnut 3-2165 Just North of Santa Ana Freeway at Paramount Blvd. turn off, on Telegraph Road. Luxurious bedrooms, 2 room suites, studio apts., kitchens. Free TV and Continental Breakfast .. Heated Pool .. Switchboard. REFRIGERATED AIR CONDITIONING Member AAA - Amer. Exp. - Diner's Club Minutes to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Marineland, Downtown Los Angeles |
| Then: Capri Motel |
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| &Now: Capri Apartments |
| The Capri still standing and being used as an apartment complex.. The pool has been replaced by a lawn with palm trees, and the "Mondrian-esque" orange and cream colored facade has been removed. Notice also the new (but still retro looking) "Capri" sign, now on the right side of the building. |
| coming soon - more then&now... check back - this section will be updated from time to time |
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