Lost NELA Landmarks of The Month
Remnants of Zesto. Gone and lost forever. (Where will the pigeons roost?)
Change is enviable. Yes. Change is necessary for growth. Yes. Growth is necessary for life. OK, fine. It is just that… when the unique things around us are lost, our uniqueness, the things that set us apart from other places is lost as well. Such is the case with this Zesto sign that was on top of the former ice cream stand at 4931 York Blvd. Some time this month, the sign on the vacant building was removed, and likely sold for metal scrap, much like this one from Figueroa Street.
As far as I can tell, this was the only Zesto located on the West Coast. The sign helped me figure out the history of this section of York Boulevard as a one-time entertainment district, with the theater, roller rink, soda fountain, and this long-gone ice cream stand.
Note Zesto’s in the background. Photo by Alan K. Weeks via the Metro Archive.
Site of Zesto’s Today.
Another lost NELA Landmark this month is the recently cut down giant eucalyptus tree at the end of the north-bound 5 transition to the north-bound 110. This tree likely was as old as, or pre-dated the freeway.
Fully grown eucalyptus reminding drivers to merge or die.
The tallest tree along the Arroyo Parkway now removed to make way for the bumper car wall.
The Arroyo Seco Parkway (Pasadena Freeway) is one of those unique features in Northeast Los Angeles that sets us apart. Designed for uninterrupted car travel though the scenic Arroyo Seco park system at speeds not to exceed 45 MPH, Caltrans is currently trying to legitimize their 55MPH Speed Limit by building concrete shoulders and dividers the length of the parkway from the 5 Interchange to its terminus in Pasadena. (Thus ending the Darwinian tradition of speeding drivers ending up in the arroyo.) The promise is to keep as many trees as possible, with only 4 trees originally slated for removal in the project plans. My fear is that this being just the beginning of the project, many more mature trees will be lost.
90042 
I loved this sign. It’s removal, so sad (and probably illegal).
While I’m on the subject of signs, I recall coming across a design for the Arroyo Parkway/freeway overhead signage. It was a brown back ground with an Arts and Crafts kind of type face and a silhoutte of a sycamore leaf and seed pods. I thought it was understated and beautiful, preferring it to the newer sign I have seen. Do you know anything about that?
btw: cutting down the gum tree…..part of the Arroyo Seco master plan involved the removal of all non native species. Many of us attended these meetings 15 years ago (for the lower Arroyo) in an effort to save these regal trees. Our position being that they were a part of the history of the local Arts and Crafts movement.
The Arroyo sign does sound familiar. Can’t remember anything else about it unfortunately.
I’d hate to see the rest of the gum trees removed. There is another big one just across from where this one was. It is off to the side, away from the construction, but still on Caltrans property.
Thanks for the info on the Zesto sign. I drive by twice a day and often wondered what it was in it’s former glory (I thought it was an old Produce store because the washed-out sign looked like a carrot).
I grew up on Stratford and Ave 50 and can remember from my early childhood when Zesto’s was still open. I think it closed sometime in the late 70’s. Next door was York Taco which was around till the mid 80’s.
Does anyone remember the fast food pasta place on E.R. Blvd where the Burger King now resides? I think it was called Red Devil.
Thanks for the info R.
Speaking of lost food places, any memory of a Sizzler being in Highland Park? Heard there was one on Figueroa and Avenue 52.
yup, there was a Sizzler there. I think a Mariscos place is now in the building.
how’s about the Fosselman’s ice cream parlor on Figueroa a few doors down from Little Cave (fka Richard’s)
I remember the York Theater, Zesto, York Taco, Sparkletts Bottling plant on York, Chilivile, Ivers’ Depot Store, Fosselman’s Ice Cream Parlor on Figueroa. I remember the Sizzler on Figueroa and Ave 52. I lived in Eagle Rock and Highland Park from 1943 until 1961. Also remember the Eagle Theater and another one on Figueroa St and if only cost 10 or 15 cents to attend a double feature on Saturday afternoon. We would have a news reel and a cartoon preceeding the movies. Also Thrifty’s Drug Store on York Blvd. where we would go to buy a half and half (50/50) ice cream and popcycle bar. I remember carrying the American Flag in my Girl Scout Uniform on Figueroa Str. There was also a car dealership on Figueroa Str. owned by Sgt. Friday’s sidekick of the Dragnet TV show. We had Kresses’ Dept Store, Leeds shoes, Karl’s Shoes and See’s Candy.
Oh you brought back so many great memories of my old stomping grounds during the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. I think Sizzler was on Fig & Ave 53. Yes, Ben Alexander Ford on Ave 58? & Fig, Remember being very small & meeting him along with William Bendix when my father would go into to vistit & chat. There was also Dale’s mkt on Fig, Loved Iver’s, Loved the Carnivals at the park. Who could forget Benson’s Record shop? Let’s not forget Sternburgers either, sourdough bread, the best! Lot of cool going on in HP back then. Fosselman’s is still around but in Alhambra. I haven’t been back in over 40 yrs. Too bad it had to change.
Was the name of the theater on Figueroa the “Park”?
I remember the Park Theater along with the Highland Park Theater. The Park was the low cost movie house. No one ever mentions it. I saw Danny Kaye in the Five Nichols there. Didn’t Zestos become Foster Freeze? I would take my girlfriend there for sundaes. Also, let’s not forget Cortlands on Fig. That was a nice store as well! During the summer at the Highland Theater they would have a free matinee on Wednesday and the Highland Park Pool was free on Saturday morning. Highland Park was a great place to grow up in the 50s and 60s.
55MPH is very reasonable for the Pasadena Freeway. Plain and simple, Caltrans is doing this because the have a bucket of money set aside for it–eucalyptus trees, sycamore trees, fan palms, and our view of the Arroyo be damned.
I’m really not looking forward to the concrete walls along the sides. Only three feet tall, but the metal railing they replaced were virtually un-taggable. Even patterned concrete will be a mess of mis-matched grafitti paintovers within months- unless they can plant ivy to cover it all.
The “historic lamps” will be burned out or missing globes half the time. Aren’t I mister optimism? Sorry. Fortunately, it looks like they won’t finish for five years at the pace they’re going right now.
For years you’d drive by the freeway after the weekend and see skid marks leading up to an empty section of chain-link fence (cue the Goofy scream) Who knows how many drunks ending up in the river after a night of partying so I’m imagining it’s a liability issue. Also the metal railings according to some Dateline type show are very dangerous, they pinball the cars back into traffic or slice the occupants in half depending on the angle of impact. Screw the trees think of the children.
Do you have any archives from 1945-1971? I grew up in Highland Park, and left in 1971 after the Feb 1971 earthquake.. I see that the Pasadena Freeway hasn’t changed in all these years, at least not by these pictures. But the trolley down the middle of Figueroa is new to me.. wow!
Is Iver’s Department store still there? And People’s Department Store, Model Men’s, Model Miss, Binder’s Jewelers?
My dear Grandpa Jones used to drive us down to Zestos on a regular basis. It was a child’s delight. Grandpa was a Concert Pianist, and we listened to him on the radio, broadcasting out of LA/Hollywood. I remember Fosselman’s Ice Cream Parlor, also. It seems to me that Ivers is closed; I used to worked there in the Toy Dept. and helped Santa Claus, also in the Home Dept. Since I got married in ’66, I’ve moved on from Highland Park, but I come visit there on occasion and was there on Christmas day ’09, drove on the Pasadena Fwy (it scares me) on the way to Santa Monica beach/pier.
wow, Santa at Ivers. He sat at the top of the ramp entering the toy dept. Ivers sadly was burned in an infamous arson fire. People’s long gone as well. my mom used to take us kids there regularly, then stop at See’s Candy (i think at 59 and Fig) for some treats.
Yeah the arson fire is detailed here- http://tinyurl.com/y8e6cum
I remember Taco Treat next to Zestos Ice Cream. It was there around 1959 to sometime in the 60s or so. I believe that there were other’s maybe in So. Pasadena or so.
Gloria, did you also go to St. Ignatius Grammar School, like me?
When did this come down? I could swear I just past by it the other day. Has anyone from HPOZ been contacted? When they were remodeling the former “Big Lots” they were in the process of gutting the whole thing. Someone from HPOZ was notified, and they were stopped in time.
Re: Ivers burned down by an arsonist…how awful… I don’t remember anyone mentioning this from my family. Mrs. Ivers was a sweet lady…(looked a little like the lady on See’s candy boxes). She was a savy business lady along with her children. They all ran the business. I remember visiting her in her home in South Pasadena. My dad used to take her honey from his bee business. My friends mom worked at See’s, so we went there often, too.
OMG… Yes, I remember Mrs. Ivers, she was such a sweet lady.. I also remember Fosselman’s.. We all hung out there after school. And See’s candy store was our favorite place… especially on Easter when my dad would get us white chocolate bunnies. This is bringing back such wonderful memories..
I got married in 1965 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Wow, that was eons ago. I grew up in the house on the corner of Ave 64 and Planada… it’s now a day care, and I looked it up on the web and it looks just awful now.. now like when we lived there..
It doesn’t look awful. Lots of people live here, and care about Highland Park. HP continues to be a wonderful community.
I got married at St. Ignatius Catholic Church at Ave 61 and Monte Vista St. in October or 1961. Went to the school for my whole 8 years of grammar school.
Mary Stilwell
I remember the Tiger Sundae at Fosselmans Ice Cream Parlor. Also remember going to the Public Swimming Pool at the Park. So many great memories of growing up in HP and ER.
Hi!
I happend to be looking on this site for Ivers memorabilia because I am an Ivers grandchild. My mom was Betty Ivers and I am Linda Atcksison. Just to set the record straight the store did not burn down it was sold, Everybody retierd, After my Grandmothers death and everyone aging, the grandchildren did were not interested in taking it over except me ! There were 32 of us, suh a shame. I am so lucky to have been a part of this family. My grandmother was this amazing lady,Wow! What a legacy. Thank you for remembering..
Hi Linda, I loved going to Ivers. It was the fancy store and Peoples was the regular store. My Grandma bought me a coat at Ivers that I remember to this day. I loved that coat. She put it on her Ivers charge which I thought was very classy of her. Good memories of this store.
I never knew your grandmother Mrs Iver’s, but knew one of your aunts; Mary. I met Mary through her son Patrick. Mary purchased a horse at an auction for her son Patrick’s catholic school up in La Canada. He took over the horse boarding it at Arroyo Seco stables. I had a horse there as well as my best friend Ellen whom Pat married. I was up last October visiting them in Bishop.
I worked at Iver’s in the warehouse from 1979-81. I may have known your mother. Tall (weren’t they all?) with a silver page boy flip. I worked under a buyer named Betty, alongside your firecracker cousin Katie. Remember Flo?Grew up in the WW2 internment camps? The gay couple that ran the design department? The warehouse is still there. A long metal building behind the Highland Park Metro station. I cannot remember what the department store looked like because I was rarely in it. We tagged the merchandise and someone else escorted to the store.
I believe I knew your mother and father they lived in Bradbury near Monrovia. Your mom was great friends with a So. Pasadena realtor Conchetta, does this ring a bell?
Oh, I remember all right. I ordered my beautiful real satin wedding gown through Iver’s personnel. It came from Boston and Ivers’ did the alterations and rented me the lovely slips and hoops to go under it.
Hello Linda, I worked directly with Grandma Kate for 3 years. She was a mentor and a woman way before her time. I knew all of her children but didn’t know them as well. She even took me with her on a couple of buying trips to DTLA for the Girls Dept. She was very special and I have appreciated the lessons she taught me my entire life. She even attended my wedding. Thank you for reminding me of this special lady.
I never knew the senior Mrs Iver’s, but knew one of her daughter’s Mary through Mary’s son Patrick. He had a horse at the Arroyo Seco stables as did I. He married my best friend Ellen. Today the descendents of Mary Iver live in Bishop CA.
I worked at Iver’s in the warehouse from 1979-81. The warehouse is still there. A long metal building behind the Highland Park Metro station
Can anyone post a pic of the old Iver’s Store?
The streetcar scene with Zestos sign in the back brings back memories of going to downtown LA with my mom and maybe some siblings shopping at Broadway, Orhbachs, farmers market, & etc. We would have lunch at Clifton’s Cafeteria or pick up a pastrami submarine. It’s an experience that our kids won’t get. I had to walk fast to keep up with my mother; I can out walk my kids in a crowd today, and I’m an older lady. Do you remember the HP swimming pool and recreation center? As a youngster, I enjoyed the wading pool. They used to have roller skating in the rec. ctr. Now that was fun. We used to walk to the olympic swimming pool from Luther Burbank Jr. High. It was a pretty nice pool for those days. Things are different now with the lazy rivers, spas and etc.
Your childhood in HP sounds a lot like mine. We did some of the same things in the 40s and 50s when I lived there.
Ivers is gone, Cortland’s is gone, Peoples is gone. The Park and Eagle theaters are gone. Long gone is Chiliville.
Zestos and the York Taco stands were Friday and Saturday night hangouts at Ave. 50 and York in the early ’50s. The York Theater was gone and replaced by a religious group (church), but we had Skateland, on the corner of Yor and Ave. 50.
I can remember that the daughter of a friend of mine, who owned the “Sportman’s Den” a gun shop on York, married a fellow that worked at Zestos.
That was back in the mid “70s.
Had Ice cream at zeatos as early as the mid ’50s. Loved a plain vanilla cone dipped in hot chocolate.
Best
Menziesii
Wow! Was just remembering the neighborhood of my youth and found this website. I used to work at Cortlands and my oldest son started school in Highland Park. I, too, remember Ivers and had forgotton about Peoples until reading this web site. My how everything has changed. That area is beautiful! Enjoy your lives there. I would love to hear what happened to Cortland’s. Was it a part of the fire that burned Ivers?
I was looking up some of the history of Highland Park and came across your comment of over a year ago! My grandparent were the Cortlands. When did you work in the store? My father was a dentist around the corner, Dr. William Frank on Avenue 58. The store did not burn down — I don’t recall a fire although I can ask my mother who is alive and well at 90 and is the daughter of Helen and Moses Cortland. I worked at the store every summer and vacation since I was about 5 years old. My grandfather used to pay me 2 cents a box to fold the fasten the cardboard shirt boxes! My grandfather died in 1975 but my grandmother lived til 102 and died in 2010. The store continued under the name for a few more years as the business was bought by Bob Roberts who had worked in the store as long as I can remember. The building is now owned my a Mr. Soo who has a beauty supply business. I hope your experience at Cortlands was a good one! Did you know my grandparents personally? Jeannine Frank
Hello Jeanine. So nice to read your post. You’re Dr. William S. Frank’s daughter?!? My mom, brother and I love, love, love you dad – we still say he is the best dentist we’ve ever had. My mom is now 83, and I am 51, and the work done by the good doctor is still intact! He was always very kind to my family, as was the DA, Pat Engle (I went to school w/ her son Steven), and front desk staff. I remember sitting in the waiting room and reading Highlights 🙂 Like many others here, my memories of HP are numerous and nothing but joyful. I attended Monte Vista Elementary, St. Ignatius, Burbank Jr. High, and Franklin, PCC and have never strayed too far – Pasadena, Arcadia, and now San Gabriel. In addition to your dad, there were many other fine people I recall fondly, from Dr. Sidney Small (our optometrist), to Tony Folliero (Follieros Pizza), the Fosselman family, Ralph’s Burritos, and all the merchants at Iver’s, People’s, Cortland’s, Kress, Benson’s House of Music, and OWL Drugstore, Highland Park was a nice place to grow up. Jeanine, I was about to ask about your dad, but decided to run a quick search — I am so very sorry to learn of his passing (I am actually tearing as I write this) As I mentioned, my family and I always had the utmost respect for Dr. Frank – please accept my heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace. Sincerely, Hector Muñoz.
Not sure you will receive this as your post is from a while ago. My aunt Ivy Rose worked at Cortland’s for many years, probably from the 50’s through the 60’s. She loved her job and many Saturdays we would pick her up after work and bring her home with us for the night (I grew up in La Canada) and church the next morning. She would entertain us during dinner with stories of her customers that day. My brothers died a thousand deaths when Ivy would start talking about the bras and panties she’d sold!!! I remember many gifts she purchased at the store for me through the years. Sunday afternoon we would all drive Ivy home then beg my dad to stop at the Zesto’s for a cone. Great memories.
Hello Highlandpark,
Very interesting, Just the place is Lima, Ohio? Lima is positioned in the northwestern element of Ohio along Interstate 75, approximately 72 miles north of Dayton and 78 miles south-southwest of Toledo. Lima is in fact at the intersection of State Route 309 (the unique Lincoln Freeway) and Interstate 75, which changed U.S. Route twenty five, just one of the routes of the Dixie Highway.
Cheerio
Is the York theater still there?
Yes, the York theater building is still there. For many years, maybe the better part of 50+ years, it has been used as a church.
Only saw one movie there, back in the day. It was a Tarzan movie. This was likely back in the mid ’50s.
The Highland Theater is still open.
The Park theater, next to The Peoples store closed in the ’60s.
I forgot where the Peoples’ Store was. Was it somewhere and Figueroa?
Peoples was 3-4 doors down Fig. from Ave. 59. MotoDay womens clothing was on the corner. Next door to the Park theater. I remember something between MotoDayand the Park theater, but can’t recall what it was. Maybe a jewelry store or watch repair.
Thanks Larry, I don’t recall what was next to Peoples. I do remember however, the See’s candy shop on a corner and to the N. of it was a drugstore on another corner.
Was Iver’s next to Peoples?
I ordered my Bostonian Wedding Gown through Ivers. It was altered by Ivers. Good memory for me.
I remember going with my mom to get my graduation suit from Model Men’s clothing store on Fig. I lived in Lincoln Heights but enjoyed going into the Highland Park area. I remember a hobby-bike store call “Foxes” on fig which I think was across the street from the Highland Park theater. I also remember a “Mr. Roberts” who ran Cortlands during the 70’s. What ever became of him? He was a real friendly guy who cared about all the customers to visited the store.
I could be wrong here, but I think Foxes moved to Ave 64. When Mr Fox died, his wife Mary sold the bike business. It’s still there.
Sorry, I remember the HP Theater, but not Model Men’s Clothing; nor Foxs. What year was this?
Model Men’s Clothing was around from ’72 to ’76. If I remember, it was 2 stores down from the old See’s Candy store. I purchased my suit back in ’75 for my high school graduation. To the Pasadena Adjacent, you’re right . . . I noticed Foxes moved further up at the northside of HP.
Foxes Bikes was on Figueroa across fro Luther Burbank and a few doors down from Jakes Barber Shop.
Since I moved away, when I married in 1961, I did not frequent the area very much after then. For awhile we lived very close to Glendale and then moved to the San Fernando Valley.
Hi Doug,
I remember most of what you wrote about, but I don’t recall about Zesto changing to a Foster’s Freeze. Do you remember Taco Treat next to Zesto? My ex started out working there before college. Do you remember Nordyke St.? I remember the civic dances in the gym at Franklin Hi, but I took the bus to Immaculate Heart. (not Sacred Heart, but some if my friends went there).
Mary
Hi Mary,
You’re right. I double checked with my wife and she agreed that it wasn’t Foster Freeze. She couldn’t remember the name but she was adamant about it not being Foster Freeze. Regardless, it was always a treat to go there. I do remember all the other stores mentioned earlier. I remember the dances (sock hops) at Franklin (I was too “cool” to go ;-/). I grew up in the Garvanza area and when I was 10 or so the area on N. Avenue 66 past the Hathaway Home were still vacant undulating hills; a great place for a kid to play out all the adventures his mind could muster. I also remember being out after curfew (maybe 11 or 12 years old) and being stopped by the police: “what’s your name, where do you live; get in the car I’m taking you home”. THAT happened more than once before I learned my lesson.
went to St. Ignatius, but a guy friend got me into the Civics. That was probably in 1959 or 60. At that time we lived on Irvington pl around the corner from the gym.
On a sad note – granddaughter (Katherine Ivers Bartlett Renaldi) of Iver’s founder Catherine and Jesse William Ivers Sr, died a couple of weeks ago in Bishop California. My partner in crime when I worked at Iver’s warehouse during the late 70’s.
RIP Kate – you were crazy fun
Have not seen any action on this page for awhile. Any new (old) memories? Do you remember the parades?
Peoples is the store burned down. The Park theater was next door. I knew the Cortlands from Church. I got my Jr high grad suite their. Foxies used to next Dicks market then they moved across Burbank Jr high. All that was way to many years ago.
Wasn’t the Park Theater down the street?
It was not Foxes but Foxies Bike Store, they were originally below York on Fig then in 1966 or 67 moved further north up just past Meridian. I also remember Zestos around 1965-66 when my mother would drive me to Toland Way Daycare above Sparklettes plant.
I lived in Highland Park from 1952 to 1957. Graduated from Benjamin Franklin Highschool. I came across this site by accident. It brought back so many memories I use to walk to the Highland and the Park theater and went to Fosselmans after school. Remember shopping at Ivers I bought a pair of pink bermuda shorts in 1955 I think the brand is still being sold at Wal Mart now. Back then it was an exclusive brand. So much has changed since the 50’s.
I remember Bob Fosselman , Betty Ivers and Mary Ivers and I think Patrick he was a tall gray haired man not sure if I am remembering them correctly. Also remember Mr. Cortland. The dress shop was called Mode o’day not Moto day. I remember eating french fries with chicken gravy at Van de Kamps drive inn.
My sister still lives on Mt Washington. She bought her house in I think 1955. All good memories.
so good to hear of your experiences. ye, Mode-O-Day
I used to attend the Franklin Hi Friday night dances. I think they were called Civics. Anyway we tore up the floor (figuratively speaking) doing the Hully Gully, Gee that was fun.
Was the brand White Stagg?
I was trying to remember the name of the record store next to Owl’s Drug store on Fig and came across this site! I found the name Benson’s house of Records. I have read all your wonderful posts and it has brought up great childhood memories. I went to St. Ignatius as did my older siblings and I think I went to school with your older brother Hector. I graduated 8th grade in 1974. Wow! What wonderful memories! I remember going to the Highland theatre on matinee Saturdays for 25c and buying a 45 every Friday for 15c.
I really miss NELA. Used to walk every school day about 1 1/2 miles to St. Ignatius from 1949 until 1953. Then we moved to Irvington Place and had a much shorter walk. Just realized that was probably the start of gaining a few extra pounds.