OBIT: “Los Alamitos had a treasure in Jim Bell” (OC Reg. Sep 4, 1998)

OBITUARY: With a high school diploma and determination, he helped built the city’s infrastructure — then was its first mayor. By ROBIN HINCH Orange County Register When Jim Bell moved his family to Farquhar Avenue in Los Alamitos in 1943, there was only one stop sign in town and only two paved roads — Los … Read more

OBIT: April 26, 1956 – Frederick Schneider, 33 year resident of Los Alamitos

Enterprise, April 26, 1956 Frederick Schneider, 80, of 10961 Chestnut, Los Alamitos, native of Brunnenbtal, Switzerland, resident of Los Alamitos 33 years, died Tuesday in Orange County Hospital. Surviving are the widow, Ida; two brothers, Godfried, Grand Junction, Iowa, and Rudolph, Stanton; one sister, Emma Haase, Cleghorn, Iowa. Funeral services were held at 2pm Friday … Read more

OBITS: Nov. 1956 – James Watts 86, James G. Killstrom, 77 – Death Takes Two Los Alamitos Men

Enterprise, Nov. 29, 1956, p. 8 Death Takes Two Los Alamitos Men LOS ALAMITOS — Death took two Los Alamitos men during the past week, both of whom had been here for many years. James Watts, 86, of 10931 Chestnut, passed away Tuesday of last week with Mottel’s & Peek Mortuary handling the funeral arrangements, … Read more

OBITS: Nov. 1956 – James Watts 86, James G. Killstrom, 77 – Death Takes Two Los Alamitos Men

Enterprise, Nov. 29, 1956, p. 8 Death Takes Two Los Alamitos Men LOS ALAMITOS — Death took two Los Alamitos men during the past week, both of whom had been here for many years. James Watts, 86, of 10931 Chestnut, passed away Tuesday of last week with Mottel’s & Peek Mortuary handling the funeral arrangements, … Read more

OBIT: Oct. 11, 1956 – Elmer Layton Dies; Resident here 36 years

LOS ALAMITOS — Elmer Layton, resident of Los Alamitos for 36 years, died Sunday in Orange County hospital after a long illness. He owned and operated Layton’s Blacksmith Shop until 1954 when it was taken over by his son, Leo.  Mr. Layton lived at 10841 Los Alamitos Blvd. He was active in the Masonic Lodge. … Read more

Jan 1992 – Horsewoman Millie Vessels Is Dead at 72

Horsewoman Millie Vessels Is Dead at 72 : Racing: She took over management of Los Alamitos after her husband’s death in 1974. January 22, 1992|BILL CHRISTINE | TIMES STAFF WRITER Millie Vessels, 72, who sustained Los Alamitos Race Course’s reputation as the leading quarter horse track in the country after her husband’s death in 1974, … Read more

Biography: Los Al Race Track founder Frank Vessels – He bet the ranch and brought home a winner

Note: this article is a work in progress.  I have come across a number of articles and bios on Los Al Race Track founder Frank Vessels, but much of the information is regurgitated and unverified legend, not to mention often conflicting.  So this is an ongoing attempt to sift the fact from the legend — … Read more

Alois (Louis) Denni – pioneer Los Alamitos dairyman

Besides having the first sugar beet factory in Orange County, Los Alamitos also had one if its first dairy farms.  The factory went out of business in 1926, but dairys stuck around until the early 1960s. The first local dairy was owned by Alois (Louis) Denn, a Swiss emigrant who began operating a cheese dairy … Read more

Alois (Louis) Denni – pioneer Los Alamitos dairyman

Besides having the first sugar beet factory in Orange County, Los Alamitos also had one if its first dairy farms.  The factory went out of business in 1926, but dairys stuck around until the early 1960s. The first local dairy was owned by Alois (Louis) Denn, a Swiss emigrant who began operating a cheese dairy … Read more

obit – Paul Erskine, Los Alamitos Publisher, Rossmoor Community Leader, Dies

Originally printed September 03, 1987 – LA Times Paul J. Erskine, publisher for more than two decades of the News-Enterprise Newspapers in Los Alamitos, died Wednesday of cancer at his Rossmoor home. He was 62. Erskine had been ill in recent months, according to Lowayne Sammons, the newspaper’s office manager. Erskine had owned the weekly … Read more