August 10, 1968
Nights are getting longer, daylight saving time is ending and lights are taking effect.
The 1960’s were the golden age for neon signs. The view of Monterey Street shows signs in front of the Fremont and Obispo theaters and the Anderson Hotel. The light pollution spraying into the sky makes it hard for astronomers but for a business trying to impress customers on the old highway a big sign was the first place to spend money.
Ed’s Hamburger was at the corner of California and Monterey Streets, now the location for Splash Café.
Taco Bell used to have a gas fired flame pit in front to draw in customers. It didn’t cook anything, all it heated was the pumice rocks and the customers waiting in line or eating on the outdoor patio. Yeah, the first oil shocks were still over the horizon. Lest a utilitarian trashcan mar your trash disposal experience, they were shaped like cactus.
Before Farmer’s Market took over the streets, Thursday was the night to cruise Monterey and Higuera Streets.
Photos by David Ranns
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i grew up there in those good ol days. thanks for reminding me of them. we loved ed’s and the old taco bell and the rest. thanks for the memories
I graduated from San Luis High in 1957 and had many a hamburger from Eds Hamburgers. In those days Ed was Ed Sears whose son Paul Sears I worked with at Scolaris on Foothill.
Even though the photo of Ed’s wasn’t in the original Focus layout it had such a strong sense of place that I had to include a photo here.
When they remodeled the place to add the indoor tables the design lost all it’s personality and became just another stucco box. There are a few of these Eisenhower era Moderne buildings left around but they are quickly being bulldozed into memory.
[...] For more Daylight Savings Time bloggery, check out Dave Middlecamp’s entry on San Luis Obispo at night. [...]
Huge loss to SLO when the “modernized” Ed’s. Now, there is no personality or history in that tan box…and never will be.
Running down to good ol’ Ed’s for an Animal burger and shake for lunch, and taking it back to the bridge to hang with friends until school got back to business.
The view down Monterey, is from below the train bridge. That all is just down the hill from Palm st where I grew up. I clearly remember all the gas stations, Westside Auto (where we got all our free AC Spark Plug kites), and Standard Auto sales. Oh, KVEC and Lucksinger Motors too!
When Splash Café remodeled the remodel they improved on the beige box but I have a soft spot in my heart (head?) for the mid-century moderne style.
The railroad bridge explains why the top of the Fremont sign is cut off, and the Anderson must have had a neon sign at some point since it is behind the Fremont display.
Thanks for the comment SSG David.
I was looking for a picture of the old Obispo Theatre before it burnt down and I came across these beautiful pictures. We moved to slo from Crowley Lake in 1969 when I was 5. Stayed close ever since. Great memories. How lucky we were. If anyone knows where to get any great photos or books on old SLO. That would be great to know.
Thanks for the comment Stacy. Guy Crabb has two books on historic businesses in San Luis Obispo.
Hi Stacey, I was looking for old pictures of SLO and came across your name. Just wanted to say hi.
my dad was the drummer for one of the most poular bands back then…StingRays, They played the “black clubs” and college events. I played little league ball for the Dodgers and went to Sinsheimer and ate plenty of burgers from Ed’s. Avila beach was my summer hangout
So many changes going on. Thanks for the memories as I too can remember going to Ed’s and the Fremont,
Obispo, hanging out at night downtown. It will never be the same.