Hide Article Text (OCR)
8 - Sun Post NewsThursday, Jan. 16, 2003First of three partsf walls could talk, my job would be much easier. Even after many years of doing this column, I’m still surprised at the amount of information that is missing in the history of San Clemente. I keep trying to change that.When Richard and Patti Her-dell began their project of restoring the building that formerly housed Ray Mortuary, Patti called me. She wondered if I had photos or information about what the building looked like in the late 1920s. They wanted to have the building look like the original when they open San Clemente Ait Supply.That started an extensive research project by Patti and me. I searched in old newspapers, previous interviews, city records and various local contacts. Patti had a title search done by Joanne Thompson at United Title Company. We found lots of information but there are still gaps.Perhaps someone reading this column will be able to supply a few “missing links.”Here is what has been found on the history of the building at 1531 N. El Camino Real.On Sept. 11, 1928, a citycrtown aboutPatricia Hobbs HendryAs Remembered Bybuilding permit was issued to R.F. Budinger for a structure at 1531-33 N. El Camino Real. The permit was certificate No. 408 and singed by Thomas Murphine and Ed Bartlett The building was designed by architect Virgil Westbrook to be used for stores and apartments. The first deed was issued on Oct. 4, 1928, to Robert and Anna Budinger and Ed and Abigail McCue.The deed had many restrictions, including these: “That no goats nor hogs shall be permitted and that no chickens nor rabbits may be raised for commercial purpose.“That any house, building or structure to be erected or placed upon any of said residence or building lots in said tract shall be of Spanish type and roofs of any such buildingBJ'GBE-aK* CS-FECBreakfast :: Lunch :: Dinner Smcrivtchett Chill :: Beer1531 El* CSMEtfO-: .StmClomenlcyThe Big Bear Cafe ad from the program of the opening of the San Clemente movie theater, 1938, above, and the original building permit for 1531 N. El Camino Real, right.shall be covered with handmade tile.”No information was found as to what business was conducted here.In November 1929, the Bu-dingers sold their half interest in the building to Ole Hanson Building Company for $6,500. In 1934, Ole Hanson Company sold its half interest to the McCues.When the San Clemente Theater had its grand opening in1938, an ad for the Big Bear Cafe at 1531 N. El Camino Real was included in the program.Longtime resident Helen Russell Berg remembers living in a small upstairs apartment that faced south. “In1939, when we lived there, the Big Bear Cafe was closed,” shesaid. “It was just two empty rooms. My dad was a chef at the Country Club. Our apartment had a big open porch and you could look straight down to the beach from the building. Most of the area was open fields where they grew tomatoes and pumpkins. El Camino Real was paved but there were no sidewalks, so we walked on plowed fields to stores and school.”To be continued...* *SAN CLEMENTEThe Spanish VillaBuilding Approval CertifiNo__cateis lo Certify Tint fh •and IoouTy arC hcreb^ proved as to exteri1 nr -*■** '» MW* „r,W^rchilcclural CommiH*Minimum w fo* t|iisut,from Mrrct ,.ro,lr„y Jif,rDated.i7*i void in 10 da;r “As Remembered By” appears Thursdays in the Sun Post News. Write to P.H. Hendry c/o Sun Post News, 95 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672.
Newspaper Details
San Clemente News
San Clemente, California, US
Thu, Jan 16, 2003
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Los A.
CA, USA 13 Nov 2020
Other Publications Near San Clemente, California
Sun Post News
San Clemente Sun Post News Spectrum
San Clemente News
San Clemente Sun Post News
