Yorba Linda History


Historic Documents

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close this bookBetween Times Collection
View the documentMy Life (Part 1)
by Charlotte Louise Blankmeyer,
Between Times December 2004 page 1
View the documentMy Life (Part 2)
by Charlotte Louise Blankmeyer,
Between Times January 2005 page 1
View the documentUp in the Back (Part 1)
by Marilyn Yorba Lasker,
Between Times April 2005 page 3-4
View the documentUp in the Back (Part 2)
by Marilyn Yorba Lasker,
Between Times May 2005 page 1-2
View the documentUp in the Back (Part 3)
by Marilyn Yorba Lasker,
Between Times June 2005 page 4-5
View the documentMy Life in Yorba Linda
by Lorna Ryan,
Between Times September 2005 page 3-4
View the documentChristmas Time at Rancho Santa Ana
by Eddie Castro,
Between Times October 2005 pages 5-6
View the documentMemories of December 7,1941
by Beatrice Navarro Guinn,
Between Times December 2005 page 4
View the documentWhit's Whittlin` Part 1
by Whit Cromwell,
Between Times March 2006 page 4
View the documentWhit's Whittlin` Part 2
by Whit Cromwell,
Between Times April 2006 page 4
View the documentWhit's Whittlin` Part 3
by Whit Cromwell,
Between Times May 2006 page 4
View the documentWhit's Whittlin` Part 4
by Whit Cromwell,
Between Times September 2006 page 4
View the documentWhit's Whittlin` Part 5
by Whit Cromwell,
Between Times October 2006 page 4
View the documentWhit's Whittlin` Part 6
by Whit Cromwell,
Between Times November 2006 page 4
View the documentWhit's Whittlin` Part 7
by Whit Cromwell,
Between Times December 2006 page 4
View the documentWhit's Whittlin` Part 8
by Whit Cromwell,
Between Times January 2007 page 4
View the documentWhit's Whittlin` Part 9
by Whit Cromwell,
Between Times February 2007 page 4
View the documentWhit's Whittlin` Part 10
by Whit Cromwell,
Between Times March 2007 page 4
View the documentEaster Egg Hunt at Rancho Santa Ana, March 1939
by Eddie Castro,
Between Times April 2006 pages 5-6
View the documentLiving on the Ranch (Part 1)
by Gloria Johnson,
Between Times April 2007 page 4
View the documentLiving on the Ranch (Part 2)
by Gloria Johnson,
Between Times September 2007 page 4
View the documentLiving on the Ranch (Part 3)
by Gloria Johnson,
Between Times October 2007 page 4
View the documentLiving on the Ranch (Part 4)
by Gloria Johnson,
Between Times December 2007 page 4
View the documentLiving on the Ranch (Part 5)
by Gloria Johnson,
Between Times January 2008 page 4
View the documentThis is Ernest
by Olive Laufield Johnson,
Between Times October 2008 page 4
View the documentTHE ERNEST (JOHNSON) AND OLIVE (LAUFELD) STORY PART 1
by Olive Laufield Johnson,
View the documentTHE ERNEST (JOHNSON) AND OLIVE (LAUFELD) STORY PART 2
by Olive Laufield Johnson,

Whit's Whittlin` Part 5

by Whit Cromwell,
Between Times October 2006 page 4   Open this page in a new window

Whit's Whittlin'

Donated by Awandi Cromwell

Last time we were recalling how Main and Olinda streets looked in the early days. Let's continue…hmmm.

I have had fun talking to a few "Old Timers" about changes that occurred through the years. "Change" is a fascinatin' word. I ask some buddies what change meant to them. Well, a very few reached into their pockets thinking I was talking about borrowing money. However, most of the "Coffee Clubbers" made slurring remarks about the "change" in my looks through the years.

You know, I had gotten older, my hair was thin and gray, I was bulgin' over my belt, and I certainly didn't look like I could run very fast, if at all. Well I tried to be nice and accept these remarks gracefully, because, I thought, surely, I hadn't changed as much as my friends claimed. By golly, they motivated me to dig out some old pictures to see for myself, the change that had taken place.

Holly Smokes, one look at my wedding pictures of 1937 and I couldn't believe my eyes! I know that picture had to be doctored! I was slim, good lookin', thick black wavy hair, a big smile on my face…hmmm…I looked as happy as if I had good since. I still can't believe it!

Uh huh… that's just what has happened to Yorba Linda. Since I arrived 57 years ago, the changes have happened, slowly, but surely, and all of a sudden it's not the same place! How and when did it happen? It seems each one I questioned has a different answer to the puzzle; so, I reckon I'll just proceed the best I know how. At least I have everybody talkin' and tryin' to straighten me out.

Doc Cannon's drug store was located in the Masonic Building, downstairs. A lot of change was exchanged in this popular place. Prescriptions and medical supplies were available, but more important, an old fashioned soda fountain. Doc loved to make malts, cherry ice cream sodas, lemon and cherry Cokes and ice cream sundaes. He used real ice cream and added powdered malt to his malts. Man O' Man, they were creamy and cold and tasty!

When I had the price of 10 cents to order an ice cream soda, I could hardly wait, as I watched him put his masterpiece together. He placed one big scoop of ice cream in one of the tall glasses, added the flavored syrup and blended the two with a long spoon. The soda water was added in a tiny hissing stream that foamed all the way to the top. He stirred the soda and topped it off with another big scoop of ice cream that sent the bubbles over the edge of the glass. You really missed it, if you never sipped on of Doc's ice cream sodas!

In the store, also were jars of jelly beans, jaw breakers, licorice sticks, stick candy, candy corn and glass cases full of Milky Ways, Snickers, Baby Ruths, Aba Zabas, Cherrilets, Oh Henry, Hay Stacks - yeah - you ask for a candy bar and Doc had it.

Mr. and Mrs. Cannon lived in back of the store. This was handy, because Mrs. Cannon could run errands for Mr. Cannon…like telegrams to be delivered, or prescriptions to be delivered. Oh yes, she made booties for most of the new babies that were delivered in Yorba Linda. It was a sad day when Doc Cannon retired and the store was closed.

Today City Hall takes the place of the drug store, and even though the problems people take there are "headaches," they are not solved with a simple prescription…hmmm. You know what I mean…solutions only come after reams of paper, lots of debate and red tape. I have to leave you now…keep Whittlin.

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