As a fellow boomer from the late 1950's - my memories and perception of my early days in La Puente, West Covina, El Monte and Baldwin Park are collected here - WHEN WE WERE HOME, a video photo montage and a BLOG as well are a compilation of places that for the most part are gone now or re-faced - regardless it's a series of snapshot's that I call home. Here is the Website
WHEN WE WERE HOME
CRAWFORD'S EL MONTE
There are so many great memories from this place in El Monte, called Crawford's - I had cousins that lived in El Monte, and from where we lived in La Puente - it was honestly 10 to 15 minute drive from our house. I have many fond memories with my mom and dad here. The carnival in the parking lot. The inside of the store was a great experience - hope this jogs some folks memories as well. Here is the Website
EASTLAND SHOPPING 1957
The San Gabriel Valley was a booming place in the 1950's. After WWII, Track homes and shopping centers sprung up all over the valley - fast. So when it was time for us folks in the east Valley to be treated to an ultra modern shopping center like Eastland in West Covina - it was huge. Of course I have alot of memories here. Clifton's Cafeteria, Wallich's Music City, family time, friends, taking the RTD to May Company. But what I remember the most was this song playing through-out the center.... over and over again. Regardless, a fond experience for all of us.
THE DONUT HOLE
Growing up in La Puente in the late 50's and through-out the 1960's and 70's - I always remembered The Donut Hole. How many pictures, angles or colors can you make of this place to be interesting? Not taking any credit for any of these snap shots, I was amazed at the following that this iconic establishment has had over the years. WikiPedia say's it opened in 1968 - it has been in numerous publications as well as a couple movies. Regardless, this place is woven into the memories of everyone from La Puente - at first I thought my choice of music for this piece would be a bit obnoxious - It's called "Ice Cream Truck" - and remembering those long ago days - it turned out to be a perfect fit. Titled - Why Do Donut's Have Holes? The Donut Hole uses this video on their website now, check out the link THE DONUT HOLE -- GARY'S VIDEO
LA PUENTE DAYS
Born in West Covina in 1957, my parents lived in La Puente since 1955 when they purchased their new 4 bedroom home for $12,000. I lived in La Puente my entire childhood, until I moved out when I was 22. Here's a photo collection from a simpler time in La Puente. A million years ago.
MID CENTURY COCKTAIL
As a man from the 1950's - I have always had a passion for everything in mid-century, the look, the cars, music, architecture and the way we dressed back then as well as the pop culture that surrounded us. Man I would love to get my hands on some original Reyn Spooners! Hope you enjoy the video. I've also included a link to one of the BEST Mid-Century sites I have ever come across....
LIFE MAGAZINE COVERS LA PUENTE 1957
LIFE Magazine documents the life of an east coast family moving to La Puente. The life of a new young executive Dave Hoover and his young family. The LIFE Magazine issue came out on February 3, 1958. Website link:
CAROLE TREGOFF AND DR. FINCH
Carole Tregoff. Dr. Raymond Bernard Finch. Barbara Finch. James Pappa. 1959 Murder. Media Blitz all over the world. Why should I care? Carole and her husband James Pappa just so happened to live next to my parents home in La Puente in the mid to late 1950's. This woman was more than likely photographed more times than Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Here is the website as well. Check out the April 2013 issue of Los Angeles Magazine on this story by Steven Mikulan. Below is a blog I put together.
OUR TV MEMORIES
Growing up with television - I could only capture a fraction of all those TV shows from our earlier years. One thing for sure, time does go by - it waits for no one. As I compiled this I felt I was doing the obituary segment on the Academy Awards. I know you all remember these...
Rancho La Puente - The Pioneer Days
Of course I don't remember this historic time - but what a wonderful time it would have been.
THOSE ATOMIC BOMB TESTS
The days of the Cold War, Bomb Shelters, Atomic Bomb Tests, duck and cover drills. A somber subject, I remember the tail end of this era in the early 1960's. Here is a collection of moments from that time - a parody somewhat.
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