Author Archives: Michael Dobkins

On this date in 1955, Seal Beachers seeking to relax and get away from the Christmas hubbub could spend their Christmas Eve at the Bay Theatre watching a Saturday double feature of “To Catch a Thief” and “Jupiter’s Darling.” The … Continue reading →

On this date in 1938, Vivian Laird made sure that Seal Beachers knew that they didn’t have to stay home on Christmas because they had dining and entertainment options with this ad in the Santa Ana Register.  At her South … Continue reading →

On this date in 1949, the Seal Beach Baby Shop at 306 Main Street (next to the post office) opened its doors at 9:30 am to launch a massive sale devoted to “CLOSING OUT OUR ENTIRE STOCK to the PUBLIC … Continue reading →

On this date in 1913, the Guy M. Rush Company ran a Christmas themed ad for Seal Beach in the Los Angeles Times, starring Henri DeKruif’s indefatigable seals. This time the aquatic rascals are stuffing the entire Seal Beach tract … Continue reading →

On this date in 1946, 25 judges for the Orange County Coast Association’s “Forty Miles of Christmas Smiles” announced the award winners for the various categories for Christmas decorations along the Orange County coast.  Seal Beach did not go unrecognized. … Continue reading →

On this date in 1924, the Los Angeles Times ran another of its limerick contests, this time about “A young man from Seal Beach.”  The entry form is reproduced below, but, while today’s readers are encouraged to take their own … Continue reading →

On this date in 1966, the Long Beach Independent ran a multi-page spread on that year’s Forty Miles of Christmas Smiles, including one photo of Seal Beach’s entry for the competition. Forty Miles of Christmas Smiles was an Orange County … Continue reading →

On this date in 1953, desperate Seal Beach shoppers with only one more shopping week left until Christmas to find the perfect gift for their loved ones could find inspiration in this Philco Clock-Radio ad from Raines Radio & TV … Continue reading →

On this date in 1941, Nick Dovalis contributed to the war effort by donating all his receipts from noon to 9 pm at from his Long Beach restaurant, The Olympia Cafe, and his barely 5 months old Dovalis Ranch House … Continue reading →

On this date in 1967, Hoyt Axton played at the Cosmos (formerly the Rouge et Noir). Today Hoyt Axton (1938-1999) is probably best known as the inventor father in “Gremlins.” the father of Alex Ramsey in “The Black Stallion,” or … Continue reading →