anaheim-gazette 1937-10-28

DESMOND'S HAT STORE FOUNDED IN LOS ANGELES 75 YEARS AGO One of southern California's oldest retail stores is Desmond's, which is celebrating three quarters of a century in southern California this year. Some of the old timers will remember that this store carried advertising in the first issue of the Anaheim Gazette published on October 29, 1870, at which time, Desmond's was eight years old. The seven modern stores of this famous apparel institution, today, are a far cry from the modest beginning Desmond's had in 1862. When this organization was founded by Daniel Desmond, Los Angeles had a population of less than 4,500, most of it Spanish. The American mercantile center was at Los Angeles and New Commercial streets, less than a dozen stores, most of them "general merchandise" stores where farmers from the surrounding neighborhoods could buy anything from farm implements to yardage for their wives' dresses and hats. Desmond's shop, located on Los Angeles street, just a few feet from the hub of the shopping district was the first specialty shop the new southland community knew. He arrived in California from the East coast around the Horn on one of the old full masted "Clipper Ships," which brought the first merchants and their merchandise to the new west. His shop sold men's hats only, the tall plush "toppers", the old timers wore on festive occasions, the wide-brimmed, flat-crowned "fiesta" hats the old Spanish Dons wore. CALVARY BAPT community in the most convenient way. In 1927 when Los Angeles started to grow out Seventh street, Desmond's, too, went to take care of the customers in the new offices and those liked shopping in this more "individualized" shopping center. Wilshire boulevard was just a road on the ocean through the wheat fields in 1929, but showed promise of the Wilshire of today. So Desmond's pioneered this district with the largest retail store for several miles around. When the University of California at Los Angeles was opened in Westwood in 1930, Desmond's opened a shop in the village to take care of college trade and those who lived in Bet Air and other nearby suburban communities. And then in 1931 Desmond's went to Long Beach to serve the apparel needs of that community and the surrounding beach cities. Calvary Baptist Church is Active The Calvary Baptist church of Anaheim was founded in 1922 after some two years of preliminary work on the part of several persons who became charter members of the new church. Ninety-six persons were named on the charter membership list. MORE ABOUT County's Forming up a storm of protest here as well as in the San Gabriel district. Old timers saw in the move a gesture to make Santa Ana the county seat. San Gabriel folk protested against being excluded from the proposed new county. Men proceeded to Sacramento demanding that the boundary line be changed, but these pleas fell upon deaf ears. The bill introduced with the northern boundary line at the creek, which excluded a rich and thickly settled country beyond it to the north. A count of legislative votes showed that Los Angeles had the whip hand and would probably defeat the measure. Then it was that an appeal was made to the San Francisco delegation which came over to support the was the first specialty shop the new southland community knew. He arrived in California from the East coast around the Horn on one of the old full masted "Clipper Ships," which brought the first merchants and their merchandise to the new west. His shop sold men's hats only, the tall plush "toppers", the old timers wore on festive occasions, the wide-brimmed, flat-crowned "flaesta" hats the old Spanish Dons wore. In a shop just a few feet square Desmond himself sold all his wares, with the help of one young man who took over the shop when the volunteer fire department of which Desmond and all other Americans were members, "left their daily posts and got out the hand-drawn hose to quench a down-town flame. In the second year of the civil war, times were bad all over the country, yet Los Angeles managed to make phenomenal progress even in that trying period. And in just a few years the early retail district started to grow out of its first location and move "further uptown". It was then that business lots sold for $5 and $10. In 1870 when Daniel Desmond had moved with the rest of the "leaders" to the new Temple block, the Desmond hat shop was a large one for the time . . . 18x40 feet. Modernisms were coming to Los Angeles by then, for the year before the first train had steamed into southern California and Los Angeles had horse-drawn fire engines. Daniel Desmond, who had organized the first band on the city, saw his pioneer musical organization lead the gala celebration over the opening of the Los Angeles-Wilmington railroad when 1500 people took advantage of the free excursion over the amazing new line. By the early seventies the city had grown to 6,000 and far-sighted southern Californians were already seeking congressional aid for a harbor at San Pedro. It was not until the "gay nineties" that the government recognized the value of the southern California harbor and gave $400,-000 for its improvement. And in this period of rapid expansion Desmond's in 1882 moved again, leading the other merchants in establishing a new business center in the same block with the old Nadeau hotel gathering place of the societies from San Francisco to Baja California. Calvary Baptist Church is Active The Calvary Baptist church of Anaheim was founded in 1922 after some two years of preliminary work on the part of several persons who became charter members of the new church. Ninety-six persons were named on the charter membership list which closed in September of the same year. The first regular worship service of the church was held on July 16 with the Rev. W. C. Taylor delivering the sermon. He chose for his subject that day, "She hath done what she could." This service followed weeks of activity which began at the Southern California Baptist convention at Santa Barbara during May when the Rev. W. B. Foskett, general field missionary, responded to a request of aid from several Anaheim men and women. On the same day the first Bible school was held with 56 persons enrolled and with classes for all ages. H. H. Knox had previously been named superintendent of the Bible school. The first quarterly business meeting of the church was held on September 27. At this meeting a building and savings fund was started, looking towards the purchase and erection of a church building. M. E. Simon, one of the charter members and a deacon of the church, started the fund with a generous offer. Three years after the church was founded the first unit of its church building was dedicated. This building was located at the corner of Citron street and Broadway and was intended to be used until the growth of the church required additional space. At that time the building would house the Bible school and a new building would be built on Broadway. Today the two buildings are standing together at that location. Theo. Rimpau Owned Early Clothing Shop Theo. Rimpau was another of the early day merchants of Anaheim. He conducted a general clothing store for both men and women. It was located in an adobe building that stood on West The bill was introduced with the northern boundary line at the creek, which excluded a rich and thickly settled country beyond it to the north. A count of legislative votes showed that Los Angeles had the whip hand and would probably defeat the measure. Then it was that an appeal was made to the San Francisco delegation which came over to support the bill and it was passed and signed by the governor. It provided that the new county should be contingent upon a two-thirds vote of the people. There began an active campaign for and against the county, but it was carried by the voters and the county was organized. This was 16 years after the first attempt at division. Many of the Pioneers opposed the county because of the change in the northern boundary, but others who were sick at heart at the way Los Angeles had treated them in the past supported it. In after years all the men shook hands, were friends again, feeling that new county had been a blessing to the people as indeed it has been, but down deep in hearts of others there existed resentment for the treachery in changing the northern boundary. All these men have passed on to their reward, and in in minds of those who have come after them all well that ends well. The old bridge at Olive, under which a farm wagon could have been driven has long since given way to a splendid concrete structure. The channel has been filled with sands until now the bed is higher than the surrounding country. Many other concrete bridges have been erected and millions have been expended upon county roads. The county has a low tax rate and its people are contented and happy. Many things have come and gone since the early days but as the Pioneers felt resentment toward the parent county for its treatment so did other men who came later feel similarly minded. Sixteen years before the county was finally organized Pioneers whose descendants are still living told Los Angeles that division was inevitable and would come as sure as the morning's sunrise. It came, and over the green graves are spread wreaths of immortelles and forget-me-nots, for what they did It was not until the "gay nineties" that the government recognized the value of the southern California harbor and gave $400,000 for its improvement. And in this period of rapid expansion Desmond's in 1882 moved again, leading the other merchants in establishing a new business center in the same block with the old Nadeau hotel gathering place of the societies from San Francisco to Baja California. Again Desmond's moved ahead of the growing city to larger quarters on South Spring street, which had been 'way out' in the country, just 10 years before. Horse-drawn street cars had made their appearance, and the downtown traffic was getting prettily congested, what with bicycles, street cars, and carriages. At the turn of the twentieth century Desmond's moved first to Third and Spring streets, a corner which saw more development for the store than any part of the city had up till that time, and then to one of the largest shops in the city in the Douglas building. Now the semblance to the modern Desmond's was becoming more and more apparent. Stocks of men's clothing were large and recognized all over the southland for their fashion authority and quality. The Desmond's most of today's children remember was opened in 1915 on Spring near Sixth street. Here were shops for women and boys, complete stocks of men's wear, in a large two-story building built especially for Desmond's. The first of today's Desmond stores was built in 1924 at 616 Broadway, then a testing ground, today the center of downtown's largest business district. From this six story "parent" store have grown the other seven stores... all the result of a determined effort on the part of this organization to take care of a growing Theo. Rimpau Owned Early Clothing Shop Theo. Rimpau was another of the early day merchants of Anaheim. He conducted a general clothing store for both men and women. It was located in an old adobe building that stood on West Center street on the site now occupied by the J. C. Penney company store. PLUMBING AND HEATING AT ITS BEST Better Plumbing for Better Built Homes CALL R. JOE QUAST "The Plumber" 246 E. Center Phone 2506 CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH shown a front end view of the Calvary Baptist church located at 717 W. Broadway. The Rev. Birney S. Hudson the church. E ABOUT's Forming protest here as well Gabriel district. Old in the move a gesture Santa Ana the county gabriel folk protested excluded from thy county. Men proceramento demanding ordinary line be changed, was fell upon deaf ears. is introduced with the secondary line at the excluded a rich and country beyond it A count of legislature that Los Angelehip hand and would beat the measure. Then an appeal was made Francisco delegation over to support the Free Methodist Church Advances A group of eight charter members founded the Free Methodist church of Anaheim in June 1921 following special meetings held in a tabernacle at Broadway and Lemon streets. Rev. J. H. McCabe conducted the meetings. The charter members were Rev. F. O. Linger, Mr. Rice, Mrs. Mary Lagourgue, Mrs. Maggie Householder, Mrs. J. W. Beatty and Paul Beatty. Rev. G. A. Anderson was appointed the first minister of the church. Shortly after his arrival D. DES MOIN HAT STOR MAIN STREET, L Keeps constantly on hand a sortment of HATS AND CAPS LATEST STYLES and FASHION 'Way Back' our founder, Mr. Daniel Old Timers of Orange C in the historic Temple B Cabe conducted the meetings. The charter members were Rev. F. O. Linger, Mr. Rice, Mrs. Mary Lagourgue, Mrs. Maggie Householder, Mrs. J. W. Beatty and Paul Beatty. Rev. G. A. Anderson was appointed the first minister of the church. Shortly after his arrival REV. A. C. MAMATH the Seventh Day Adventist church at Adele and Paulina streets was obtained for all Sunday services and regular services began for the first time. Some three years later, after the Rev. J. C. Rose became pastor, the present site at Sycamore and Claudina street was obtained and the present building constructed. Rev. Mamath, was assigned to the church in July 1936 and has served continuously since then. Loma Vista Cemetery NOW COMPLETE A MEMORI LOMA VISTA CEMETERY NOW COMPLETE A MEMORI DEDICATED TO YOU and YO HILL TOP SETTING Loma Vista Memorial Park and Mausoleum overlooks the most scenic section of Orange County. Occupying a naturally drained hill top site, it is far from the noise of cities... Trees and flowers in abundance lighten sorrow bereavement. LOMA VISTA MAUSOLEUM In Loma Vista Memorial Park, on the Full Orange County's Most Beautiful Perpetual A personal invitation is extended to you to visit this beautiful New Memorial at any time LOMA VISTA MAUSOLEUM... the memorial is the most beautiful and permanent memorial construct. Loma Vista's Mausoleum, now structure of reinforced concrete and marble natural beauty lies in its massive strength and sign, built to endure through the ages, it still picturesque spot of the cemetery grounds. Historical Edition PAGE THREE D. DESMOND, HAT STORE, MAIN STREET, Los Angeles instantly on hand a large asshats and caps, of the TYLES and FASHIONS. This Desmond advertisement appeared in the first issue of the Anaheim Gazette, Oct. 29, 1870 Back in the Seventies er, Mr. Daniel Desmond, served many of the s of Orange County at his pioneer hat store oric Temple Block, Main Street, Los Angeles. Back in the Seventies Mr. Daniel Desmond, served many of the s of Orange County at his pioneer hat store foric Temple Block, Main Street, Los Angeles. ARE PROUD to invite their grand and greatand daughters to 7 convenient stores of Quality men's and Boys' Wear!...in Los Angeles, h and Palm Springs. SMOND'S 1937 ERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA" metery's Mausoleum COMPLETED MORIAL YOU and YOUR LOVED ONES CEMETERY'S MAUSOLEUM COMPLETED MEMORIAL YOU and YOUR LOVED ONES STA MAUSOLEUM Memorial Park, on the Fullerton-Brea Road PERPETUALLY ENDOWED Ample provision has been made for the perpetual care and maintenance of the cemetery and Mausoleum by setting aside a certain amount from each purchase into an endowment fund. Loma Vista Memorial Park and Mausoleum is forever endowed against neglect. FUL Perpetually Endowed Memorial Park MAUSOLEUM . . . the modern Mausoleum and permanent memorial that man can rest in. Now completed, is a solid concrete and marble, whose architecture is massive strength and simplicity of design through the ages, it stands on the most esteemed cemetery grounds. Inquiries are respectfully invited. Any desired information will be furnished without obligation. Telephone Fullerton 158