Skip to main content

Photo Of The Day - Watson's Soda Fountain & Cafe - Gone But Not Forgotten


 Last month I posted an article about Watson's Soda Fountain & Cafe in Orange, California. The motivation behind my post was to pay homage to one of my favorite places to eat in Southern California, which I had just learned was closing it's doors for good. It was a trip down memory lane for yours truly and I talked in depth about the history of Watson's which started off as a drug store in 1899 and ended up as a piece of Orange County culinary history.

Sadly since the time of my article Watson's did indeed close.

I came across this rather simple photo of mine that I took ten years ago today. It may be simple indeed, it's just a photo of vintage vinyl two color chair back with a name of a restaurant and the date it was founded. Back when I took the photo I simply loved the retro styling of the chair. It appealed to my interest in all things vintage and retro.

Today it takes on a more deeper meaning. It now stands as an example of wonderful past that has been slowly disappearing in locations like this all over our great country. Watson's is gone and someone looking for a classic hamburger and fries, or a chocolate malt will never sit in this chair again. It's a rather sad thought.

It's funny how a simple image like this can go from a bit of nostalgic whimsy to something that represents a little piece of vanishing Americana in just one decade. It's a true example of here today and gone tomorrow.

God is our God forever and ever: He will be our Guide even to the end. - Psalms 48:14

Check Out:

Some West Coast Flavor: Watson's Soda Fountain & Cafe - Orange, California




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Toys By Roy - Winrock Center Mall, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1961-88)

If you grew up in the desert metropolis of Albuquerque, New Mexico in the 60s, 70s or 80s you probably have fond memories of Toys By Roy. This Article Has Moved To Our New Blog At: Toys By Roy - Winrock Center Mall - Albuquerque, New Mexico - A Trip Down Memory Lane

Abandoned Louisiana - The Pirate's Cove Water Park / Resort in Iowa

 About ten minutes east of the city of Lake Charles are the remains of an abandoned water park . The decaying structures are clearly visible from the busy I-10 freeway and for years drivers have wondered about it's history and why it was left for dead.   The Pirate's Cove Water Park actually has a rather interesting story behind it. A story that has been repeated over and over again, unfortunately, here in Louisiana. It's just another example of how government bureaucracy in this state killed an enterprise before it could ever get off the ground. Construction on the park began in 2008 and it was scheduled to open sometime in 2010. The sprawling complex was envisioned as an oasis from the hot summer heat that would feature luxurious amenities like a 900 foot long lazy river, a giant splash pad for the kids and eventually a five star hotel. The Pirate's Cove would have been an obvious tourist destination that could have brought much needed tax dollars and employment oppo...

Abandoned Louisiana - The Old Hightower Family Home in Dodson

I have to admit that I have been hanging on to these photos for a couple of months now just looking for the right minute to post them. Back in November I was traveling up to El Dorado, Arkansas and I passed through the small town of Dodson. While driving through town my eyes spotted a very attractive old house up on a hill and I just had to stop and take a few photos of it. I honestly don't know the history of this house, but I'm sure some local will send me message telling me all about it (and someone did see the UPDATE ), and it's not as cool as an abandoned railroad locomotive or old movie house but it really spoke to me. I have to wonder about the people who used to live in it and how it ended up in the state it is now. Anyone can see that it was a beautiful house long ago. What happened? How did such a grand residence end up like this? Those are questions that I can't answer unfortunately.  Unfortunately a site like this isn't all that uncommon here in Louisian...