Years ago when i was a kid, as a way of getting us kids away from the central LA area, the Moms and Pops would bring us to one Park or another in Glendale...often Brand Park. Parks as opposed to Beaches were our "go to" places to get away from it all and even though the huge Griffith Park was closer, the parents headed a bit farther North for Glendale.
At the time, we felt like we were out in the "woods." In reality as i know now it is minutes from DTG and the brimming with people areas of Glendale.
Driving in the Pops big car to the wilds of Glendale via surface streets was a big adventure: one that i still remember fondly. It was a long way to go to buy gasoline but my parents were architecture aficionados and so they loved to walk around this station marveling in the style of it.
Richfield Oil built this place in 1936 as a super service station. Many of you do not have any idea what that is.
This is how it went: You drove into the station and several guys came out of the office and literally gave you personal service: pumped your gas, cleaned your windshield, checked your tire pressure. Yup and all for the princely sum of in 1970 about 50 cents a gallon for what was called premium gas.
Architecturally speaking this edifice is in the "Moderne" style (it was built in 1936 afterall).
The City of Glendale now owns the building as well of course of the land on which the park surrounding the station is erected. This park was finished in 2007. I have been coming here rather than Brand Park because of its size and intimacy.
Those many years ago :
Moms brought stuff to eat like Fried chicken and homemade tortillas and breads from which we made delicious tacos and sammys. Pops made the Salsa and the salad fixins and we had a great time. (thinking back i believe the Pops snuck a few Coors between noshes of chicken).
Adams Park is one of the small, quiet parks of Glendale: out of the way and great place to be alone, gather your thoughts, pray even.
I often come here and ponder and plan and hope for our world during this time of the Pandemic which is devastating us.
I also think of those innocent times with my parents who have now passed and who, thinking that we were not watching, walked about the park, holding hands and even sneaking a kiss or two. I will never forget those times and i'm overjoyed that Adams Square Park is here to remind me. read more