When Sacramento Had An Old Fashioned Roller Coaster

Hi Myrl,

Doing a bit of Oak Park memory searching and ran onto your site. Since no postings, for a year, it may be down?  But I will give it a shot.

Thought I would return a bit of info.  I grew up in Oak Park thru the 1940-50s era. It was a wonderful little community then. A little city within Sacramento, meaning it had just about every type store you would need. At that time we lived right across the street from the library, (on 34th). Right next door was one of several neighborhood bar-saloons name of 'Riley's.  End of line streetcars within the entrance of McClatchy Park.  I would have liked to have seen it when it was Joyland.

The Oak Park Theatre was not a beauty as California, but they always had a great matinee for the kids.  Price at that time was .10 and California was .14 cents.  Oak Park was owned-managed many years by a Mr. Cy Graves and family.  To note: you did not have to pay extra for the 'Bat' that would take a flight around the screen and auditorium almost nightly.

In my early teens I started working at the California as 'poster changer' etc.  Became the youngest asst. mgr. at 16.  Sad to say, I, with many locals, stood outside and watched it burn down in 1956...and the firehouse was less than 2 blocks away.  After military I spent another 30 years in theatre management, owing it all to the California 

I can still remember most the stores that covered both sides of 35th St., the wonderful 4th July parades and all the activities in McClatchy Park: ie: Swimming pool; 3 baseball fields; Horseshoe pit; Playground; Outdoor amphi-theatre; Tennis court and a clubhouse for folks to play cards, checkers-chess etc.

It was a great place for a kid to grow up.  Jim

Myrl - Wow! What are the odds?  I could well have 'sold' you some popcorn at the theatre, or 'splashed' you with a cannonball in the pool.  We certainly have our memory, must really have been 'good times' for us both.

It was in fact 'Boy On a Dolphin' playing...funny cause when I mention it in casual talk...one of the 'promo lines' on the poster was 'Sophia Loren makes the screen sizzle', so I always say she was responsible for the fire.  The cat item: they got in all the time. Under the floor, (with wire mesh covers) was a cleanout area for loose and trapped trash. Cats and Mice felt at home.  The fire actually started in the balconey loge section. Someone dropped a cigarette and it fell into the cleanout space.  That night was my day off and a co-worker, (Lester Prest) and me were driving back to the area when we both 'joked' about seeing all the smoke and flame in the distance, saying "well, looks like the theatre is on fire and we are out of a job". Sad but true!

Speaking of cat 'spooky' Very spooky stuff here.  You have the bar name correct, it was in fact 'The Irish Tavern', above that was Riley's.  I also remember quite well Steen's Corner.

I attended American Legion elementary and Stanford Jr High and then McClatchy. 

Since I am doing very little today, thought I would send this back.  Please do not think I need a reply, but whenever you have time, it would be great to hear more of our same memory about the area and names as we recall. 

Continued success in your profession.  Jim

Myrl - Wait a minute...we both attended theatre and Stanford, and they 'both' burned down...is this some sort of pattern? 

I was a bit 'unclear' when I mentioned Riley's...what I meant to say was that the sign on the building read as Riley's Irish Tavern, (Riley name being on top of sign).  But yes, apts were above also. The house we rented was owned by Mrs Riley as well.

No, I was not related to a Mike Lewis and do not remember him during my run of the park or school.  I probably have some years on you, they finally got tired of me at American Legion and bounced me up to Stanford.  Would have been around '47-48.

Have not checked map yet, but wasn't Bret Harte Ct a fairly "short" block from 36th to Broadway? Almost adjacent to a Signal Gas on Broadway?  My Grandmom and Aunt lived in a boarding house right around the corner on 5th ave - 35th, right across st from park and American Legion building.  The house was next to alley that ran behind theatre.  The corner of 35th was a little grocery, (with a great soda fountain.  A Mr. Palladay owned it, (he had lost a arm) he later bought and ran a 5 & dime on the corner 'kiddie-wompous' across from Arata Bros market...ring any bells?

If you are still up for it, I will throw you some more names and store placement.  I am trying to put it back together and your help and knowledge is tremendous.  As before, only if your time permits. Thanks again, Jim

Myrl - Hopefully we are not the only two left that know these places!..(ha ha).

I dated a 'Gloria', and recall a couple of Gloria's in school, but do not remember any last names and Oler is not clicking.

I could be wrong...after Palladay sold the market he certainly may have put his name on the 'dime' store...but I do no remember seeing it.    

Yes, the 'suicide', great.  My other favs in that vein, across street down 3-4 stores was another soda-ice cream cafe, (is that the one you mention) where I loved the lime and/or cherry phosphates.  As well as 'lime rickeys'.  Thanks for 'jogging' memory on the name of hardware store, (lyons)  theatre bought most of repair-paint items there.   Kings Candy, as I recall,  was quality chocolates, (like Sees).  I remember the 'opening' of the new Ben Franklin also.  Across from theatre was also a dress-apparel shop owned by the wife and mayor Azevedo?

You are great on the name recall: I knew the Awning shop but forgot the name Janak and Scurfield, and the shop had a entrance on 35th as well as a large work area entrance that was on 5th ave.  Do you recall, (I believe) Hughes Drug and Photo on corner of 35th-5th, (across from Palladay's)...late years they moved out to Broadway, 'kitty-whack' down from American Legion....and, of course, right across broadway from schoolgrounds was our first car hangout Drive-in, Karl's?

Shanghai...loved it!  A total of 3 asian restaurants?  Another was down a couple doors from Cal theatre, (towards park) a school friend, Sammy, and his family owned and lived in rear. The other was down towards Broadway a few doors from Oak Park theatre.  Ate frequently in all of them.

I too have a "burning question"...do you happen to recall the owners name of the little meat market down a few doors from Palladay's?  A Mr. Silverstein or Silverman?  A great old world gentleman.

Enough for now, lest I wear out my welcome.  Jim

Myrl...Well, guess I probably did not know your sis...because those years I was just getting out of elementary and that would have put her 4-5 years ahead of me.  Altho.. I was known to date some older girls, (ha ha).

You could be right about the asian restaurant being The Palms, (kind of rings a bell).  And it really is odd how our memories work at that age and what some of us maintain...What you said about Mr. Hughes was something I never forgot as well...remembering his face and the woman that worked for him.  Those were the 'only' two I had ever seen working the shop!  I have forgotten her name tho.

I took a lot of film to him for developing, (family, etc).  When I was 10-11 I recieved as a Christmas gift one of those 'home camera kits', which had all the various chemicals for developing along with a little 'Kodak Brownie'.  Since most people and merchants in 'The Park' knew each other, (many by name) I got 'tagged' by a lot of store owners and employees who started calling me "camera kid" or "photo boy".  I started taking pictures of their stores, etc.  Sad to say over the years most all the pics got lost or tossed. 

Your memory recall at 2 years is just not fair, not to mention uncanny.  The little cafe next to Palliday's did have a killer like Coney Dog. Do not remember the name or if it changed names over the years.  I do recall it being extremely small with a row of stools on one or both sides of counter.  Maybe not more then 15-20 seat capacity?

Since it was a social thing of the times...do you remember how many 'Taverns' we had? We already mentioned Irish and Steens.  Between the California and Pallady's, (same side) was a fairly elite bar, (name??). Also on 5th about 4 doors down from Irish was another, (possibly '5th ave club?).  And yet another, straight down 34th towards the Bread company, (name??). 

Well...my head is starting to spin from all this activity...more another time.  Jim 

Hi again Myrl.. No end to our info!

The Kodak 'baby brownies', (in 1960) were still selling for about $3.75 then.  Are you still using your 'grad gift' camera?

Your mom was probably correct about a special relationship with Mr. Hughes and friend.  Do you remember a longtime ticket cashier-secratary-overseer at the California, (my fav) I'm not positive anymore, but her name was, maybe, LaVerne or Vera Vieara?  She was very helpful to me when I started work, (of course she knew me from age 9 or so.

Another 'bingo' for you.  Just about forgot the drugstore on corner of Oak Park theatre...and am I imagining, (that one) or in fact was yet another Drug on the Broadway corner of Arata Bros?  It also had a great Soda Fountain counter. 

Change of pace to: 2nd floor biz.  See if any of this rings a bell.  When we first moved to Oak Park, (waiting for house) we rented a small 'murphy bed studio' in the hotel down a few doors from Hughes. The name escapes me, but a school chums dad-mom managed/owned?  The dad also frequently played piano down at Steen's Corner.  In the same complex of buildings of Hughes and the Awning Company, at the back, (up 5th) was a 'hall' used for various meetings and dances every week.  Also on 35th, down from the hotel, (towards Broadway) was a Roller Skate Rink and Boxing Arena. 

Myrl - Well, seems on our last two postings we both deserve a 'gold star' for some more  great correct memories

I do remember, (possibly Federated) and the shoe store, (but not positive on that name either).

Thanks for mentioning the Oak Park hotel on Palladay side of street...I honestly do not remember that one.  Correct on Mr. Hughes, (Gene) I know for a fact, as I am sipping coffee and looking at a photo envelope from his store!  A few years back my aunt sent me a bunch of family pics, (not certain if I had them).  The envelope is a bit 'tattered' with age and from the 1940s.  To note: it states, store #2, 35th-5th ave. Dial 5-2694.  I was not aware that he had another at that time...I'm sure it was not the Broadway store, as I thought that was "after" he moved?

I remember a photography shop as well, (but not by name 'Paul-Lynn').  Great that you had so many family pics done by them.

Ah yes, the great old 'Ten-O-Win' wheel, and it was in fact on Wednesday, (to boost midweek attendance) always packed the house!  It was also one of my worst 'sweat-soaked' nights of my young theatre starting career, (but that is a story for later, if of interest).  Loved the 'matinee' toy giveaways as well...never thinking that 'one day' I would be on that stage calling the numbers.  As we age, we spend more time talking-reflecting on how "safe" it was growing up in our era, (as children).  You too, note that thought!  During that time I was "all other the place", either by myself or a kid friend.  There was not a area of Oak Park we were worried about going at any time of day-night.  Walking home from a friends at the back side of McClatchy Park, (pool end) at 10pm was never a concern.  Many late nights leaving theatre alone going home...we are talking age 7-10!  Halloween...unheard of to have your parent(s) take you around, (unless you were a toddler).   Oh, I'm sure our era also had it's share of 'bad moments' and isolated incidents, but nothing like later years.  We were truly in the era of: everyone left their doors and windows unlocked, (unless going on vacation).

Yes, the 'roller rink and box arena' had to have been maybe from late '40s thru early '50s?  A buddy's relative was a pretty well known boxer who gave lessons to kids. They also had some minor talent amatuer bouts.  The skate rink was, (I recall) down the hall a bit.

Swanson Cleaners, yes.  Also down Broadway was Stilson Bros Cleaners.  Made-Rite: theatre bought all of its "dogs"...I made many a trip to pickup.  Immaculate Conception, (was it not also school?) our next door neighbor had 2 daughters who attended, (my first girl 'crush'..on both of them) Ralpha and Roberta Martin.

Ester Bakery...a wonder I was always a 'skinny' kid.  I would never want any kind of b/d cake, only chocolate.

Great to hear you still have that grad camera.  Lastly, before you 'fall asleep' from all of this, if you have any use or desire a few of my old pics, ie; theatre, etc., I will gladly e-mail to you if you have a 'secure' address you use for such items. Just let me know, or you can also just e-mail me.  Best, Jim

Hi.  Sorry to butt in, I just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed the information that you two have been sharing.  I was attending Stanford Junior High when it burned down.

Wow! I grew up also in Oak Park I lived on 36th and 2nd Ave.  I lived there since my birth in 1949 but my grandfather build the house around 1920.  I remember most of what you all are taking about and I was at Sanford when it burned down just entering the 9th grade.  I also went to American Legion and Sac High.  I was in the County Hospital the night California Theater burned down and could see it from the window, I was about 8 years old. I took tap lessons in a room in the back of the Library.  There use to be a boxing ring about the Ben Franklin Store which was fun to go to.  I remember jumping the train that came down 2nd Ave. every night we would ride it into the Old Fair Grounds and look for job's at the Fair.  I remember Stein's Comer with the old wood floors.  One of my close friends dad owned Thom Cyclery Bike Shop on the corner of 34th and 2nd Ave.  Mr. Thom the owner was a family friend.  I spend many summer's at the pool and remember the life guard that was on watch and gave swim lessons I think his name was Cliff.   We had all our Italian family who lived with in blocks of each other.  My family did own The Y Street Market back in the late 50's.  If you remember Early Bird Market on 37th and 2nd Ave. I worked there in the early 60's sweeping floors. I also worked at Patton's Cleaner's which was on 2nd Ave. between 36th and 35th streets.  I remember climbing on the big rock in the from of the Park.

I could go on it was just a great place to live.  Thanks for reminding me.

Tony