Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Old Time Lynwood Postcards


I was born and grew up in Lynwood, California, a town just 10 miles southeast of Los Angeles. So, how lucky was I that later in life, I met and worked with Phil Skinner, another Lynwood native, who collects professional postcards from our childhood hometown?

Here are some of the best ones of the bunch. The back of the cards have some interesting copy on them which is included below each pic. (Click on photo to enlarge -- there's some great detail here).



POSTCARD CAPTION:
ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL -- Lynwood, California. The building was completed in November, 1945. A new unit was added in 1953, bringing the capacity to over 400 beds.


POSTCARD CAPTION:
LYNWOOD, CALIFORNIA -- Long Beach Boulevard at Southern entrance to city. This thriving modern city has a rich history in the early settlement of California. Many of the family names of the original settlers are still found on the rolls of the active service clubs.





FOOD GIANT MARKET -- Lynwood, California. Lynwood is the home of one of the nation's largest super markets, the 64,500 sq. ft. Food Giant. The illuminated figure of the giant atop the building is four stories high, the largest plexiglass sign of its kind in America. Over 40,000 people shop in this huge market each week.




POSTCARD CAPTION:
A. B. GRAY MEMORIAL -- Lynwood, California. This 155 mm. cannon that saw service with the First Artillery division was dedicated as a memorial to the veterans of all wars. It was named to honor A.B. Gray who lived in Lynwood and died at the age of 94.




POSTCARD CAPTION:
HUNT'S MOTEL (Cal Highway 15) -- Lynwood, California. 21 new 'strictly modern' Motel Apts., all with full-tile showers. Some with Kitchenettes completely equipped, including refrigerators. TV and Radios available. Phone: NEwmark 2-1543.




POSTCARD CAPTION:
LYNWOOD, CALIFORNIA -- Built in 1917, this old Pacific electric Station is a familiar landmark. The rail line though Lynwood was constructed in 1905, and carried the settlers of the first real estate boom in 1913.



POSTCARD CAPTION:
World Savings and Loan Association is located on the corner of Long Beach Boulevard and Imperial Highway, Lynwood, California. Its location is approximately the center of Los Angeles County. The structure is said to house the most modern and up-to-date financial facilities of our time.

More to come....

-- Joni



3 comments:

  1. Great old postcards, Joni! I'm signing in as anonymous because I don't have any of the other accounts.
    Linda Peach Warner

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Joni, Nice job! It's fun to see these old buildings. I think seven of eight Quinns were born at St. Francis!

    XXX
    Anne Marie

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  3. Great stuff Joni keep em coming. You should touch base with Bill Wylde who has a bunch of cool old photos and docs. My brother Mike has a great old book about Lynwood put out by the city council in the 50's

    Dana Marks

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