Pike Personnel, Long Beach, California

"Lee's Barbeque, one of the best fast food outlets at the Pike. My Grandfather worked there as Number 2 cook and then became Number 1. Mr. Lee and Mr. Marfleet (who I believe was part owner) were extremely nice people. When they split company, my Grandfather went with Mr. Marfleet to start a restaurant at the foot of Signal Hill called Marfleets, of which my Grandfather was head chef.
In the background of the photo is the Cyclone Racer. My Grandfather is about 7th or 8th from the right of the photo.
I also have a few tokens from the Pike and a ring from the carousel.
As a sidelight, my Grandfather knew George Macgruder very well; they used to go fishing at Redondo Beach Pier and even go out on the old Sacramento River Ferry anchored offshore.
Hope this helps you, if you need any other info, let me know".
Paul Fleming

JOHNNIE WOLDRIDGE, Class of 1957, Bellflower High School
Worked the Arcade on the 'Boardwalk' 1953, Pike Stories

RUSSELL HALL, Class of 1939, Paramount High School
In my high school days I worked at the Pike as an usher at the "Rialto" theatre.
Pike Story

I am trying to locate information on a man named Rodney D Poole, aka Chico. This man is my father whom I have never had the chance
to know. I have been researching info about the Pike in the late 70's, but I really can't find anything useful. My mother gave me a timeline from when my father and her were together, hanging out at the pike. The period I am looking for in March 1977 to October 1977. I am in search of people who may possibly have known my father or my mother during that time. My mother's name is Elsie Johnson and she was only 17 at the time.
My father was a Philipino man, short in stature with tattoos on his arms and possibly also on his chest. In a photo I have of him, he appeared to be approximately 20-30 years old,maybe younger but doubtful. Any information, that you could offer me or a direction in which to search would be greatly appreciated.

JANICE GILLIAM, Class of 1956, Jordan High School, Long Beach, California
I met my second husband at the Pike in 1956. He was a life guard at the Plunge. His name was Jerry Weyant. He used to swim with the seals at the Seal Pond back in '57. We took care of the seals then. His step father ran the Tilt A World ( Red Anderson), and his mom sold tickets (Mickey Anderson). His brother (James Weyant) worked the Barrell ride. I worked the fourth of July at one of the eateries, and my daughter was born on the 9th of July. We lived on Seaside in a one room apartment. The Stone Man was one of our closest friends.

I have been searching for my ex-husband and my son for many years now. If you run across any information on any of these people, I would appreciate it if you would share it with me. Haven't seen my son since 1962; e-mail me with the information.
JANICE
Posted 11/2000

Janice Gilliam 12/15/02
I have news about your son, please email the webmaster pikelb@yahoo.com

12/31/02
Today I received a message from Janice Gilliam saying that she has talked to her son and his father and they all plan to meet in the very near future.

JOHN FAULKNER, Class of 1965, South High School, Torrance, California
In 1961 to '63 I used to run the pony ride under the roller coaster ride at the Pike... It was a really neat way of spending several summers.. Parks like these are badly needed and should not have died such slow deaths!!!!

JAMES HARMONSON, Class of 1954, Compton High School.
I worked on the west end of the Pike in the middle 50's. I ran a balloon/dart game next door to the Photograph shop. The owner of my location ran the horse race game. Next to him was the shooting gallery with the animated targets. Hit the target and it would start operating - action and music, etc. Across the way was an Arcade with a Pronto Pup stand. On the east side of my stand was the entrance to the Rainbow Ballroom, and next to that, the Rainbow bar. I used to work a split shift, so I spent 4 hours swimming, riding my bike, or just walking the Pike. It probably was not the best atmosphere for a teen-ager, but I did learn a lot about getting along with people. It really was a great time to be growing up.

Tex Puryear
My dad, Tex Puryear, first came to Long Beach, when he was in the Navy - shortly after the Korean War, where he served on an aircraft carrier. He worked at the "Hollywood on the Pike" Showbar from the mid fifties, to the mid seventies. He was very well known in his day, as a band leader and performer of country music, which was big in those days. His picture adorned the front display case in the window for over a dozen years. He played with Jeanie and Haskell May, Cindy Carson, and others who aren't know today. He didn't make it big elsewhere, but he was a star in his own right in the hey day of the Pike. He now lives in Manhattan Beach, and he just turned 70 in Sept. 03.
From: Kim Hays 10/14/03

George Magruder - Magruders Salt Water Taffy
passed away April 2nd, 2003.

George decided after 90 years it was time to join family and friends on the other side.
Born in 1912, George spent most of his life in Long Beach, where he touched countless lives. During his young adult life he was a firefighter at Station 10, but left the Department to manage and later own, the candy store his father started before the turn of the century. Magruders Salt Water Taffy was a fixture at the Pike in downtown for many years, serving delicious confections to many thousands of people. George was also a talented artist, as well as an avid outdoorsman. He was a member of The Long Beach Sportsman's Club for more than 25 years and spent his entire life teaching many generations of people not only how to hunt and fish, but to respect and enjoy all the beauties nature has to offer.

George is survived by 2 daughters, Katie Von Eps, of Homeland, and Georgene Magruder of Idaho.9 Grandchildren, 7 Great-grandchildren (plus one on the way), and several surrogate sons, daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, all of whom were proud to call him Dad or Grandpa.

Our family takes great comfort in knowing he is now with God, and with the friends and family that passed on before him, especially his son, Scott, and two great grandchildren who left all of us way to soon. He was and still is the bond that holds our family together.
We miss him deeply, but wish him well on his journey.

My father Winston "Mac" Mckinzie and brother Ronnie worked at Jones Pony Ride at the Pike in the 1960's. My father has since passed away but I remember going to the Pike every weekend and spending virtually all day riding on the kiddie "Fish" ride that was located next to the ponies so my dad could keep an eye on me.
I wish I knew where that old blue fish was today :)
The pike was such a wonderful place in its hey day. The last time I saw it was back in 1981 and it was a shell of its former self. I have friends in Long Beach who tell me its now a mall of some kind. Too bad.