Memories of North Park

Former resident reminices about growing up in the neighborhood

By Robert Hoy

I now reside in Anaheim since 1983. I was born in North Park at Mercy Hospital in 1944. We lived at 3952 Illinois St. until about 1963. My grandfather Victor Whitaker Sr. had been a captain in the U.S. Army. After retiring he worked as a security guard at First National Bank at 30th and University. My grandmother Cora Whitaker was very active in a senior citizen group at the North Park Baptist Church called the “Goldenairs.” My mother Faye Hoy worked as office manager at Hudson City Motors — later changed to Howard Taylor Dodge — located at Colombia and B in Downtown San Diego. My grandmother was friends with the mother of famous Boston Red Socks player Ted Williams, who lived in North Park. My best friend as a kid was Greg Nettles, who later became a star player with the New York Yankees.
I attended Jefferson Elementary School. I vividly remember the Palisades Gardens Skating Rink on University Avenue. Large numbers of Navy men in their white outfits would visit there on weekends. I often visited the North Park Theater. Almost every Saturday as a child I went to the old Ramona Theater. Admission for kids was only 15 cents. I remember Stanley Andrew Sporting Goods just around the corner from our house, and Whitney’s Appliance Store on Illinois and University. The old Thrifty Drug Store was neat. We shopped at the Mayfair Market on 30th street.
Across from Mayfair was my favorite, North Park Hobby Shop. I remember the very nice Jessop & Sons Jewelry Store on University and 30th. I still have a watch purchased there in 1967. I attended church at North Park Baptist and also Vacation Bible School during the summers. I shopped at Pep Boys on University some 50 years ago. My Uncle, Victor Whitaker Jr., was city editor at the San Diego Union newspaper. He worked there for many years and his last position was director of education. I delivered the San Diego Independent newspaper for several years. Doing this job I walked the streets of North Park delivering 350 newspapers every Thursday and Sunday. We lived just behind the old Dixie Lumber Co. They had a large furnace that was used to burn scraps. I would make many trips to pick up small wood piece scraps for our fireplace. My grandfather would pay me ½-cent per trip so 50 trips got me a quarter. Then I could travel to the North Park Hobby Shop and purchase eight used comic books at 3 cents each. After reading these they could be exchanged 2 for 1 on others.
North Park was a great place to grow up in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. It was clean, safe and friendly. Business were run by their owners and service was great. Bus travel was plentiful and cheap. I think that I could ride all the way Downtown for 10 to 15 cents. The San Diego Zoo was free admission to kids under 16. This was a great and educational place to visit during summer vacation from school. In the 1960s my mother and I moved to East San Diego on Winona Avenue. I would still walk to my grandmother’s home on Illinois Street often. It was probably six miles or so, but I could cover the distance quickly. I walked there during daylight and evening hours and always felt safe. There were few people out walking or driving in the evenings back then. Lerners, Woolworth, etc. — so many great old stores were operating. I had another great friend who lived at 30th and Upas and walked there often.
During the early 1950s I remember the Fuller Brush Man visiting North Park every couple of months. His huge suitcase contained so many goodies valued by the local housewives. He would return to deliver the products in a month or so. There were also door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesmen. A man with a cute little pony would come through North Park two to three times yearly. You could have a picture taken of your child sitting on the pony while wearing a cowboy suit and hat. Somewhere around here I have such a picture of me taken around 1952.
One of North Park’s most famous former residents would have to be the baseball player Ted Williams. I believe that some of his lifetime hitting scores are still records today. This is unbelievable considering that he took a couple of years off from the game to join the military during WWII. My grandmother knew his mother and said that they were a very nice family. Now I just remembered the annual Toyland Parade down University Avenue. Our family always arrived very early to lay a blanket and claim a curbside seat. It was always a great event. I remember the popular Monte Montana, a cowboy star who was always part of the parade. We always watched from the Illinois and University corner. I also remember the old fire station with its tall hose tower.
Wow! When you are now 66 years old and remembering the early days living in North Park, the memories just keep coming. I have had a long, happy, successful life and owe much to the great start as a child born, growing up and living in North Park in San Diego.
It is great that North Park has a historical association to preserve the long history of this fine place. My memories of North Park are still vivid even though they now go back almost 60 years.

Robert Hoy is a member of the North Park Historical Association.