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Memories:
Growing up in Fullerton
By: John D.Baumgardner, 11 Mar 2002
I am not a native of Fullerton but stayed there in the spring of 1987
with a friend and was instantly taken with the charms of this fine community.
I am a native of an affluent & leafy suburb of Cleveland, Ohio and being
in Fullerton made me think of my roots back in the Cleveland area. The
city is just beautiful with its broad, tree lined streets and the many
beautiful homes found in many parts of the city. I was also impressed
with the emphasis on preserving the history of the city while being
progressive at the same time. The redevelopment of the downtown area
is both refreshing and should be an inspiration to other communities
in the Los Angeles area - too often "history" is removed in favor of
more modern structures composed of glass and offering very little in
"character" and architectural detail. I fondly recall the "Muckenthaler
Cultural Center, Hillcrest Park, The Fox Fullerton Theatre and so many
other superlatives that can only enhance living in the city of Fullerton!
Be Proud of Fullerton!
- John D.Baumgardner
By: Jennifer Crawford, 5 Mar 2002
I was born in OC in '69. I can remember the time when there were no
enclosed malls in OC... there were only the outdoor "Fashion Squares":
Santa Ana (now, Main Place), Newport Beach (still there!), & La Habra
(now a strip mall). I remember later how the newly-built Brea Mall attracted
the attention of the younger crowd with its really cool ice rink! >
> Knott's had a free jungle & play area on the east side of Beach Blvd,
including a big blue slide. Main Street (the shopping area) was still
free at Disneyland, & you bought ticketbooks if you went in the park.
Who in my age group can forget the "Adventures Through Inner Space"
ride... it ranked a zero in ride merit, but a 10 in make-out merit during
those junior high years!! > > Since I was born in Fullerton, most of
my memories are centered there... > > For example, who can forget the
fabulous live nativity scenes that the huge, 12-child Johnston family
used to put on every Christmas in their front yard on Brookdale Place
in Fullerton ??!! It was awesome! Mr. & Mrs. Johnston were Joseph &
Mary... and every year they had a new baby Jesus! It was hilarious how
the last baby Jesus had red hair, though! (baby Tim Johnston..now probably
25 years old!) > > When I was very young, we used to take my Dad to
the Fullerton airport when Goldenwest Airlines still operated commuter
flights from there. Also, back then Orange County airport (before the
big rennovation) still loaded passengers from the tarmac, & had a noisy
upstairs coffee shop that everybody hung out in & loved! > > I remember
the last movie I ever watched at the venerable Fox Theatre in downtown
Fullerton.. I think it was in 1987... but I can't figure out why someone
hasn't swept up that wonderful place and reopened it! > > I remember
when the aging-but-hip Melody Inn in Fullerton burned down.... (under
dubious circumstances!)... but the best moment ever was about 2 years
ago when I had dinner at Hidalgo, located in Fullerton's Villa del Sol
(where we as kids used to climb up to the roof area & run around like
crazy), which was formerly the Hotel California... anyway, the proprietor
of this restaurant is Mickey (ummm, Michael, that is) Oates & his parents..
Mickey & I were kindergarten & grade school classmates & neighbors.....
at dinner I also ran into other early grade school close friends, &
heard news of friends & teachers I hadn't seen in over 20 years! It
was a memorable experience to say the least...I think native Fullertonians
never really leave forever! > > It's a great county, & regardless of
how far I venture abroad (North Africa, Hong Kong, Europe, etc)....
I always love coming back!
- Jennifer Crawford
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