Stephen Dudley, the Bixby family historian is speaking at Rancho Los Cerritos this Saturday, February 20, at 10am. Stephen has been very gracious to share some of his photos with me that have been posted on this blog. Call the Rancho at 562-206-2040 for a reservation to the lecture which is open to the public. The cost is $7.00 for adults and $5.oo for students.
Mrs Roland Swaffield, 1932 Little Club President
The previous post on the “Over Here” Girls mentioned that the women of Los Cerritos created the Little Club to continue their charitable work. 1932 was the first official year of the Little Club and its president was Grace Swaffield (Mrs. Roland Swaffield). To raise funds to support making layettes for newborn babies, they held a variety show at the Pacific Coast Club called Hooey. It was musical numbers, dancing, gags, wisecracks, burlesque, and jokes, all performed by the well-known men and women of Long Beach. The show ran for two nights and sold out both nights.
It was the Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year. They raised $398.12. Another fundraiser according to the budget was the sale of Little Club Cookbooks at Buffum’s department store. Mrs. Harry Buffum was, of course a member of the Club.
In 1918 a group of women banded together and called themselves the “Over Here Girls.” They were also referred to as the “Liberty Girls” and many of them lived in Los Cerritos. They met at each other’s homes and made surgical dressings for the Red Cross efforts in World War I. They also raised money by maintaining the Red Cross tea room which was located at 225 West Broadway, according to the 1918 Long Beach City Directory. The “Over Here Girls” raised funds by holding a ball in the Fatty Arbuckle studio in Long Beach on July 17th, 1918. Over 3000 people attended and Fatty escorted actress Miss Fanny Ward. Los Cerritos residents Milton McGrew and John Clock pitched in to help their wifes. The event raised $1500 from ticket sales. Men were 10 deep at the bar which served soft drinks. Ten deep for soft drinks? It makes one wonder….. In 1932 at least half of the “Over Here Girls” went on to become members of the “Little Club.” The list of initial Little Club members is below. More about the Little Club coming next month.
The picture of the Steam Engine Train Ride for kids that was part of the Virginia Country Market brought back memories for some. I speculated that our market at the corner of Long Beach Boulevard and San Antonio, where the 7-11 and our closed Ralph’s Grocery store is today, was our version of the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market. Well, this photo of the Virginia Country Market taken on June 11, 1945 answers that question. Thank you Long Beach Historical Society for providing this photo.
This wonderful photograph dated Jun 28, 1941 is being shared with us by Stephen Dudley, a descendant of the Bixby family. This is the minature steam engine train that was at the Northeast corner of San Antonio Drive and Long Beach Boulevard where the 7-11 and the closed Ralph’s store is today. Leaning on the train is Stephen’s brother, Paul Dudley. For 10 cents plus 2 cents tax, kids could ride the train around a loop track. The February 18, 1945 photo below is likely a Mom waiting for her kids who are riding the train. According to the sign, adults could ride too! The street in the background is Long Beach Boulevard looking north.
Stephen remembers the area being like a farmers market with stalls and a central open-air area with lots of picnic tables, possibly called Virginia Country Market. (Maybe it was our version of the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market at 3rd and Fairfax in Los Angeles?) The train was likely associated with the market. But he mostly remembers the burgers he used to get with Arthur, the Rancho caretaker at the market in the 1948-50 era. By then, the train was gone, replaced by a newsstand where Stephen would get his latest Walt Disney Comics. Fortunately for us Stephen saves stuff- not only does he have these great photos, he still has his comic books!
So who out there remembers the miniature train and the market? Share your stories. The location is destined to become the home of our relocated Trader Joe’s. They hang old photos of Long Beach and these photos should be on their new walls! Or they could add a train for the kids…….
