Remember When
The Leisure World Historical Society, a 501(c) 3 educational foundation, is dedicated to preserving the history of Leisure World, which is celebrating 60 years this year. Historical Society President Margaret Gillon has chronicled highlights in this weekly column. People are welcome to visit, volunteer for or donate memorabilia to the Historical Society, which is open every Thursday from 2-4 p.m. in Clubhouse 1. For more information, log on to LWHistory.org or SealBeachLeisureWorldHistory. org.
• March 6, 1969—Survey Results
A recent survey showed that in 1968, an average of 1,154 persons used the Leisure World clubhouses each day. The highest monthly usage was in November. This was prior to Clubhouse 4 being built.
• March 7, 1968—Lawn Bowlers
The picture’s caption was “Sidewalk Superintendents,” and the caption explained that the Lawn Bowling Club was watching the construction of a new games chairman room adjacent to the El Dorado Clubhouse. The new building was part of several improvements to lawn bowling facilities that had been approved.
•March 8, 1979—St. Theos Church Celebration
The picture showed members of St. Theodore of Canterbury Episcopal Church flipping flapjacks. More than 800 pancakes were served to 250 Leisure Worlders. The event was held to mark Shrove Tuesday.
• March 9, 1967—LW’s Globe Logo Unveiled
The Leisure World emblem that we all recognize was first used on this date. This is the emblem that says Seal Beach Leisure World and has a picture of the globe. It is used on the side of all vehicles and equipment.
• March 10, 1966—Clean Air Clean air over Leisure World was soon to be a reality. A representative of Orange County Air Pollution Control stated that it would only be 13 more months until the Haynes Steam Plant switched to natural gas, eliminating smog-producing fuel.
•March 11, 1965—LW Tours Bring Praise “Maybe someday we will see a Leisure World in Tokyo.” These were the parting words of Japanese officials who toured Leisure World as part of a visit sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. It was said that Leisure World had the most complete facilities of any similar community visited.
• March 11, 1976—Whirlers Wow Cruise Ship Passengers
A large group of Leisure World Whirlers returned from a two-week Caribbean Cruise aboard the Royal Viking Star. “It was a most happy cruise for the square dancers who made quite a hit with the ship’s passengers when, dressed in their pretties, they took part in Americana night and received tremendous applause.”
• March 12,1970—KEO and Garden Club Sponsor Ball The Know Each Other (KEO) and the Garden clubs sponsored a coronation ball for the new Miss Seal Beach.
The joint venture turned Clubhouse 2 into a garden for the evening.
• March 13,1980—Alpha
Beta
The Alpha Beta Market located in the Leisure World Shopping Center since 1962 announced that it had been sold. The reason for the sale was lack of room for expansion.
• March 14, 1968—Beverly Manor
Groundbreaking was announced for the new Beverly Manor Convalescent Home on what is now North Gate Road. The home was to be built on a 4.78-acre site. It was designed with 195 beds in “garden” type rooms. Each room opened either onto the outside grounds or a landscaped intercourt.
•March 15,1979—GAF
The Golden Age Foundation (GAF) donated a blood pressure machine to be used in the Health Care Center. The machine went into service on the first day of 1979. By March, over 400 people had used the machine.
• March 16, 1978—Mutual
Value
The original mortgages taken out by the Mutuals totaled approximately $80 million in 1964. In 1978, the value of the Mutuals’ property had climbed to an estimated $250 million.
