After 112 years of serving the community, the iconic Watson's Drug Store in downtown Orange is no longer going to be a drug store. The restaurant remains open but you can't get a prescription filled there anymore. (Of course, they've added a liquor license, which is now mandatory for all Downtown businesses, including shoe stores and muffler repair shops.) Watson's Drug Store was founded in 1899 by Keller Watson, Sr. It's been in the same building since 1901, and in its exact current location since 1949..
The image above shows Watson's soda fountain in about 1907.
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A wonderful lady and one of our best first-hand links to Huntington Beach's history has left us. Arline Huff Howard passed away on March 7th. A pioneer descendent and a long-time member of the City's Historic Resources Board, she encouraged historical preservation and helped local historians like Alicia Wentworth , Diann Marsh, Joe Santiago, and myself understand our community's roots.
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Although she'd already weathered health problems, everyone was so glad that she felt well enough to participate in all the historical programs for the City's centennial celebration in 2009.
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Arline's friend Marilyn Harris writes, "Her grandfather was Dr. [Samuel G.] Huff, who came here to Huntington Beach around 1900. Arline was born 1-29-1929 in Orange County and was raised on the family farm located on Huff's Hill south of [what's now] the Shipley Nature Center toward Ellis Ave. She told me her parents sold the land about 1953. The next owners sold it and the hill was leveled and used for the 405 Freeway. She was a Huntington Beach High School graduate and married Marcus Howard. They built their house on 10th St, had two children Paul and Cindy. She was still living there at the time of her death. She was a good Christian woman dedicated to her family and to the preservation of Huntington Beach history."
The photo above shows Arline Howard (in white outfit and hat) in 2004. The last I heard, services are scheduled for Sat., March 19th at First Christian Church on Main Street at Adams Ave. [Update: The service will be held at 1:30 p.m.].
Diane Ryan will be teaching another of her Orange County History classes at the Oasis Senior Center in Corona del Mar this spring. The six-week class (Class #684021) runs from April 28 to June 2, on Thursdays, 1:30-3:30pm, and costs $48. The Senior Center can be contacted at 949-644-3244.
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Diane writes, "Learn about the early occupants of our area, Spanish and Mexican influences, notable pioneers and the development of some of our cities. Trace Orange County from its ranching and farming roots on into the sprawling, urban society of today."
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For questions about the class, contact Diane at dianeryan2010@yahoo.com.
