Olive Headquarters, Santa Clara Valley, CA, 1962
A hot summer sun cooks the breeze as it blows over rolling hills into the valley. Power lines and the proud poles that place them follow the leisure country road on both sides leading to and from Olive Headquarters. It sounds so official! If those lipstick red soft drink logos mounted to this county produce stand don’t attract passing motorists the multi color pennants will. They caught the eye of a brown bag-toting mother of two. Her blouse matches the pennants perfectly. How polite of her to color coordinate! The blazing blue sky is reflected behind her in the chrome-plated bumper of a creamy dreamy, top down 1961 Buick Electra 225 convertible with four sunburned, wind whipped passengers. A hand painted sign states peppers and cucumbers are on sale for a measly one-cent each. Olives are much more valuable. They are $1.00 per gallon.
Speaking of olives, YOU ARE INVITED to the historic Graber Olive House in my hometown of Ontario, California Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 1 to 3pm. I’m celebrating the 10 year anniversary of my first book, Cruising the Pomona Valley, 1930 -1970. Free tours of the curing and canning facilities will be given; iced tea and cookies (and olive samples) will be served.
Graber Olives are the greatest source of my hometown town pride. Seasoned with years of tradition The Graber Olive House is without a doubt one of the most charming and unique destinations in all of Southern California. The Graber family has been curing and canning olives there the old fashioned way with secret family recipe since 1894. By today’s standards this AMAZING place is a living museum. I call it Graberoliveland! In the two quaint early California ranch style shops, you will discover their complete line of Graber sweets and savories all perfectly packaged in classic prize winning gift boxes printed with artwork done by local artist Rex Brant in 1953. There is also a fascinating display of local history, Graber memorabilia, vintage machinery and a collection of mid-century paintings and mosaics. This place is AMAZING! I hope you can join me there tomorrow! Your imagination will be inspired and your spirit will soar!
What: Book Signing and Anniversary Party
When: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 1 – 3pm
Where: Graver Olives, 315 East 4th St. Ontario, CA, 91764
DIRECTIONS:
10 Freeway to Euclid Avenue, South to 4th Street, East 1-1/2 blocks to 315 East 4th Street. 800-996-5483
Here’s to Graber Olive Headquarters, the Graber family, the olives and YOU!
Another great slide! I attended early too: since I live in Georgia I went to Graber Olveland on February 10 at Charles’ direction and I am so glad I did. Besides purchasing the perfect olive spoon, I loved the tour. Love that 61 Buick too!
I SO look forward to your weekly entries. You have such a gifted knack of descriping these relic photos and making them come to life. You’re the best, Charles.
Your biggest fan,
Dann
Wow! What an awesome slide! All the ones you feature are good, but I think this one’s special. ($1 for a gallon of olives, less than 40 years ago– can you imagine??) I love the bratty “Do-we-HAVE-to-pose-again, I-have-to-go-to-the-bathroom” faces on the cropped-by-dad-at-the-neck daughters. Thanks for sharing.
Could that local artist be the late, great, critically acclaimed Rex Brandt of Corona del Mar?
“Mmmmm. Pickled olives.”
Homer Simpson
I was fortunate to see you last night at our staff appreciation dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation! So much that I had to look you up on the internet. Great stuff!
you kill me with your crazy comments!
Graber Olives have been my father’s favorite for as long as I can remember. His old office manager had family that lived in the area and would bring him some whenever she went to visit them.
That could be a pic of my sister, mom & I on any Sunday drive in the early 60′s, except my sister would have posed like a deranged child model, and my dad would have framed the pic better! I miss all those weekend outings to anywhere we could get to & back before it got too late. You always bring back the best memories!