Larry Strawther Because we’ve been doing some research for its 150th anniversary, we’ve been on a bit of an Anaheim Landing kick lately. Orange County’s first port was officially founded in 1864 although fishermen and even the US Army had used the area before that, but not apparently on a permanent, lasting basis. As one might guess … Read more
A big event which actually had quite an effect on Seal Beach was a September 18, 1941 gambling raid which resulted in the arrest of at least ten men and the detainment of over eighty customers. Orange County sheriff’s deputies used a sledge hammer to break into a gambling den (behind a facade made to … Read more
I just got word from the History Pres that my new book on Seal Beach (cleverly titled “Seal Beach: A Brief History”) has actually been printed and my own stash of books is on its way. If you want an autographed copy, order it now and you’ll have it within a week or so. (You … Read more
The Los Alamitos Museum is looking for volunteers to help prepare and host events throughout the year. The museum is open two days a week — from 2pm to 4pm on Sundays and Tuesdays. Some of the Museum’s events include teas, Docent Appreciatioon Night, Honored Citizen Day, Paranormal Phenomema, Yard Sales, A Quilt Show, … Read more
One of the more curious stories I’ve come across in my research of Seal Beach is the tale of Jimmy Slyter and his nationally publicized, but somewhat sketchy, quest in 1946 to swim from Catalina and use the money raided to marry Anne Brennan, one of “Seal Beach’s beauties.” From being on national headlines, we … Read more
Anyone who looks at Los Alamitos property maps around 1920 comes across the name “J. Stern and Sons” as owners of the land of what is now called Apartment Row. After emigrating from Germany, Stern partnered with a cousin, __ Goodman, to start a small store, Stern & Goodman, in Fullerton. From there the pair … Read more
Rossmoor resident recalls when Navy Jet landed in his backyard Burton Schild, an orthodontist, was one of Rossmoor’s original residents, owning a home on Yellowtail Drive that backed up to Los Alamitos Blvd (later changed to Seal Beach Blvd.). Now retired, last year Burton took a creative writing class at Long Beach State. Instructed to … Read more
People often ask me to confirm stories they have heard about Rossmoor. (No, it was not originally intended to be a nudist camp — that was somebody’s joke on Wikipedia.) A frequent question is about the origin of street names within the “Walled City.” I know some so I finally figured, why not put this … Read more
Having worked for a daily newspaper during my formative years and running my own small-town publication, I know that correct facts are often immaterial to a story. So keep that in mind as you read this article on Los Alamitos’ fifth anniversary. But there are some things of (verifiable) interest. From the Press-Telegram, March 3, … Read more
The Holiday season is full swing now– which means Youth Center Christmas tree sales at the Ganahl Parking Lot, Holiday Crafts sales, sports teams selling wreath and poinsettias, realtors driving Santa Claus through Rossmoor and Los Alamitos, students caroling at the some of the area’s senior citizen homes, family drives to check out the amazing … Read more