Villa Riviera and Pacific Coast Club ~ Long Beach, California

This is a 1941 Curt Teich "C.T. Art-Colortone" vintage postcard from my grandparents' collection. It was published by the Western Publishing & Novelty Co., Los Angeles, California.

The postcard shows the Villa Riviera and Pacific Coast Club in Long Beach, California. I did a little research online and found that the Villa Riviera (the tall building in the postcard) officially opened in 1929 as a hotel. Today it houses condominiums. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. You can read more about the Villa Riviera building, including the building's history by clicking HERE and HERE.

This is a picture of the Villa Riviera building found on the Wikimedia Commons website. The photo was taken in 2009.

Villa Riviera Building
Wikimedia Commons
Author: Los Angeles

From what I read online, the Pacific Coast Club pictured on this vintage postcard is no longer standing. It was demolished in 1988.

Typed description from back of postcard:

Long Beach is justly proud of one of the finest and most popular bathing beaches on the California Coast. Many fine hotels, apartment houses, beach clubs, and homes, front on this delightful shore, in full view to the resort activities.

Thanks for stopping by!


© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

Pomona First Federal Savings and Loan Association

This is a Mirro-Krome vintage postcard by the H. S. Crocker Co., Inc. of San Francisco, California. The postcard was sent to my grandmother, Willis Quillin Webster, when she and her family lived in Pomona, California.

I don't know if this advertising postcard successfully persuaded my Webster grandparents to use this financial institution or not.

This is what the typed postcard description at the top left corner of the postcard says:

Does a financial institution have to be on a corner to be successful? Pomona First Federal Savings and Loan Association says "No". After more than 60 years of successful operation in its convenient middle-of-the-block location at 260 South Thomas Street, Pomona, California, Pomona First Federal has grown to assets of over $28,000,000. Your new savings account here may be opened in person or by mail.

And here's the printed invitation contained in the message portion of the postcard:

Dear Friend:

You are cordially invited to join the more than 9800 of your neighbors who are now saving here with insured safety. Your account is welcome. Latest dividend at 3-1/2% annual rate.

Sincerely,

F. B. Palmer, President

I typed the address for the Pomona First Federal Savings and Loan Association listed on this postcard in Google Maps and the image below is what I found. The building on the far right with the green trim is 261 South Thomas Street, one number away from the address listed on this postcard for Pomona First Federal Savings and Loan. And the number 281 is in the middle of the taller building. It's interesting to see how areas change over the years.

Google Maps

My grandparents have another vintage postcard in their collection that shows part of Pomona, California. I'll share that postcard in a future post.

Thanks for stopping by!


© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

Prickly Pear Cactus

This vintage postcard really is fun and special because it's a valuable piece of my family history. It was sent to my mom and her brothers by their parents (my grandparents) in July of 1955. My grandparents had taken a trip to visit family in Mexico and sent this postcard to their children during their trip. I've blurred the names of my mom and her brothers for privacy reasons.

Written message from my grandparents.

July 9, 1955

We drove all night and everything is fine. It is now 7 A.M. and we stoped [sic] at a cafe at Gila Bend. It is desert here and it is about 100 miles from Tucson Arizona. We are having a wonderful time. Be always good kids.

Mommy & Daddy

The postcard was published by Bob Petley, Phoenix, Arizona.

Typed description from back of postcard.

PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS

This common desert cactus, one of the first to bloom each spring, has blossoms ranging from very light yellow to deep red. They hold their blossoms longer than any other of the desert flora.

Thanks for stopping by!


© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved