Theaters in Rossmoor

Technically, the first documented dedicated movie theater in the Los Alamitos-Rossmoor area was the Fox Theater which opened up in the Rossmoor Business Center in July 1964. I did, however, find that in 1919 the “Commercial Club” contracted to rent movies to show in the Los Alamitos Sugar Factory clubhouse — which was located where Green Street Interiors and … Read more

Looking Back at Looking Back: 1965 — Los Alamitos Marks Its 5th Birthday

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

Looking Back at Looking Back: 1965 — Los Alamitos Marks Its 5th Birthday

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

Christmas Past in early Los Alamitos

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

Christmas Past in early Los Alamitos

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

New book on History of Los Alamitos & Rossmoor to be released this month

In mid November the History Press will publish my new (and first) book, A Brief History of Los Alamitos & Rossmoor.  I’m very proud of this work – and not just because some of it is accurate.  Anyway, I’ve shamelessly listed 10 reasons why you should think about buying this book when it goes on … Read more

October is Historically Big Month for Area for Community Fund-Raising Events

Fall and especially October is a big time for community fund-raising events – with Casa Youth Shelter (Sept. 29), Pathways for Independence (Oct. 6), St. Hedwig’s Autumnfest (Oct 12-14), The Taste for Los Al (Oct. 20), and Wings, Wheels and Rotors (Oct. 28) being held on consecutive weekends. But for a long time around here, … Read more

Happy Birthday to the Base — maybe…

We received an inquiry last week (August 13, 2012) wondering if we were going to note the 70th anniversary of the Los Alamitos Naval Air Station, it having begun operations in August 1942.. This would certainly be a noteworthy achievement, but despite what is printed on some websites, August is not the base’s anniversary and … Read more

Old Los Al Sugar Factory was home for “light motor car” venture

After the Sugar Company moved its refining operations down to the Santa Ana Sugar plant, the factory buildings were home to diverse enterprises.  Dr. Ross Pet food was probably the best known, but the factory was also used by Douglas Aircraft, and the warehouse was used to store cotton.  One of the more  interesting ventures … Read more