Description

The area was called East San Diego. In it lived Winnie Cropley, who built a house there in 1914. One woman called it, "A small, Midwest village within San Diego," and North Park was very much like any close-knit community those words conjure up. Here residents remember work time, play time, the Depression, and the Second World War through almost seven decades of North Park living. Myra Horton Crouchman describes the area briefly over old photographs. Arthur Old talks about El Cajon Boulevard and Adams Avenue in those early days. Guy Carmichael came to San Diego for a visit in 1920 and never left. There was the "wireless" bought as a kit with earphones. Vivian Henderson talks about the ostrich farm and a different zoo from the later San Diego Zoo, as well as the old trolley system and the Ramona Theatre. Sherman Pethley talks about his past. Mrs. O. E. Dillon's little boy rode in the Toyland Parade. Narrator Corita Gravitt talks about the locations of businesses in the neighborhood of North Park (starting from 30th and University Avenue). Franciska Bale discusses her career as a building contractor. Carmichael had a gasoline station. The Fearneys ran three separate soda fountains/diners, starting with Town Pump No. 1. After acquiring Amaryllis Cafe, they changed the name of the first business to Dave's Cottage Cafe. In a segment called "The Forties," several people talk about life from the attack on Pearl Harbor through World War II, including recycling grease, and rationing. Businesses had to close immediately on announcement of the end of the war because everyone knew the celebrations would be fierce.