Johnie's Jr.

Johnie's Jr., Orange, CA.


Johnie's Jr. Burgers isn't really a Googie style building at all. The sign isn't even Googie. It's a plain square sign right off of Tustin Ave. in Orange. But the sign looks similar to something else. Something familiar in the world of Googie.

Photo: laokay.com

Ah! Yes! Johnie's Broiler, in Downey! The association between the two restaurants is not clear, other than the little fat boy on the sign, and the sharing of the name. Is anyone familiar with a history between the two establishments? Is Johnie's Jr. an offshoot of the original Downey location to serve Orange County's need for a Johnie's Burger?

Johnnie's Jr. Burgers
1061 N. Tustin St.
Orange, CA 92867

Ivanhoe Motel

Ivanhoe Motel, Anaheim, CA.

Demolished.

The Ivanhoe Motel was owned by the same folks who own the next-door Zaby's Motor Inn, and a couple other prime locations along Katella Ave. and Harbor Blvd., near the Disneyland Resort. The attendant at the counter at Zaby's stated that the owners are trying to sell several prime lots in the general vicinity as a package together. The previous location of the Ivanhoe Motel would fall into the sale.

The loss of Zaby's Motor Inn is not a major blow (or even a minor blow), and photographs of Ivanhoe Motel before its demolition are unavailable. But based on the flagcrete that was left over when the pictures here were taken-- midway through the location's demolition in mid-May 2006-- there are hints of a colorful Googie past.

The lot now sits empty behind a chain link fence, awaiting future development.

The demolition was mentioned in the Orange County Register on June 4, 2006. [link]

Ivanhoe Motel (Demolished)
434 W. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92802

Jubilee Square

Jubilee Square, Orange, CA.


Half of Googie's character comes from its typography. While the Jubilee Square sign is not particularly exciting in its shape or color, the typography on the top sign does all the work. (Although that starburst on top helps a little!)

Jubilee Square
200 block, N. Tustin St.
Orange, CA 92867

Chuy's Burgers

Chuy's Burgers, Anaheim, CA.

This sign is Googie all over-- different smaller signs of differing shapes and sizes all working together to pull the driver off the road. The shopping center which holds this aging beauty is old-- most of the storefronts are covered in flagcrete. The spears at the very top of the sign are full of character. Is it possible another business could have utilized this sign before the Mexican food drive-thru took over?

The lights on this sign are never on after dark, which is incredibly unfortunate. The different lights on each sign could be quite a spectacle. Instead, a daytime photo will have to suffice.

Chuy's Burgers
1867 W. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92804

Sav-On Drugs

Sav-On Drugs, Seal Beach, CA.

Arched rooves, flagcrete walls. The building is shared with a Pavilions market; the architectural theming is identical for both businesses.

According to an article in the Orange County Register, the Seal Beach Shopping Center-- most of which was built in the 1970's (I know, past Googie's real peak, but the Googie-inspired elements are all there)-- is to be completely renovated, and the structure stands to be torn down in the spring of 2007. [link]

Sav-On Drugs
1111 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Seal Beach, CA 90740

Pavilions Market
1101 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Seal Beach, CA 90740

Rossmoor Bowl

Rossmoor Bowl, Los Alamitos (Rossmoor), CA.

Demolished.

After 44 years, Rossmoor Bowl took its last strike on April 30, 2006. By the end of July, the entire structure had been demolished. Yet another classic Googie 'BOWL' sign and zig-zag roof fall victim to nouveau riche bourgeois "progress" in Orange County.

The closure merited an article in the Orange County Register on May 1, 2006. [link]