News 8 Throwback 1994: Larry Himmel showcased the history of El Cajon

In 1994, News 8's Larry Himmel explored the history of El Cajon in east San Diego. While the area had grown a great deal, some aspects remained the same. Larry cited an essay from 1900 which characterized the community as "middle-class" and "politically conservative." Larry's piece also explores some of the traditions of El Cajon including the Mother Goose Parade which started in 1947.

[@skaycgoldenridge]

Born and raised in the east county of San Diego (El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside), this sure brought back some memories. Frosties from Foster's Freeze on El Cajon Blvd. in El Cajon in the 1960's and 70's, Granite Hills High School alumni, Mother Goose Parade, Woolworth's on Main St. in El Cajon, Kozak's restaurant in El Cajon, and many more memories too long to list here. Moved to Idaho in 1991.

[@dinorichetti]

Larry is a San Diego legend. Thanks for sharing.

[@skaycgoldenridge]

I remember him well. Grew up in El Cajon, Santee and Lakeside areas of California. Moved from San Diego county to Idaho in 1991.

[@humanbeing6491]

El Cajon was ruined by too many slummy apartments.

[@DiogenesOfCa]

Yup

[@skaycgoldenridge]

I was born and raised in San Diego and grew up in the El Cajon, Lakeside and Santee areas. I am so sorry to hear this, but sadly, over 25 years now living in Idaho, it is happening here, too :( Growth from others who have moved from California to Idaho has spiraled.

[@Baraka_Obama_]

Bet the old folks are rolling in their 🪦 with what El Cajon has become

[@skaycgoldenridge]

Born in San Diego and grew up in the El Cajon, Lakeside and Santee areas. I am so sorry to hear this, but sadly, growth in Idaho has spiraled from the great exodus out of California to Idaho.

[@jimkeskey]

​@@skaycgoldenridge same for Arizona and Colorado

[@skaycgoldenridge]

@@jimkeskey That is what I hear. California...once the great state everyone was flocking to, is the state everyone is leaving. Lots of changes happening in our country, for sure.

[@jimkeskey]

@@skaycgoldenridge Yeah it suck here but I hate to leave this sinking ship only to jump on another sinking ship.

[@skaycgoldenridge]

@@jimkeskey I totally understand Jim. My first apartment was on the 300 block of Claydelle Ave. in El Cajon. El Cajon has changed so much. No longer in Cali. Now in sw Idaho.

[@THX-kw2jh]

I Remember seeing Larry Himmel along with an older gentlemen, probably his father, using the same kind of clothing with suspenders at the Agua Caliente Racetrack Turf Club in Tijuana around 1984.

[@wb6wsn]

I got a laugh regarding Lucille Moore's comment about people unfairly insulting the lifestyle of El Cajon; has everyone forgotten the narrator Larry Himmel's signature stand-up insult of "There is no intelligent life east of I-5"?

[@onefatstratcat]

oh.... the good ole' days

[@romansroad2007]

Still lots of homeless people and drugs

[@williamlong388]

I live in EL Cajon and saw a few of the things that you showed

[@dennistravers8392]

The Drawer.

[@love_evann]

Me living in el cajon

[@mchume65]

It's turning into Little Iraq now.

[@erinmh]

it's it great? Sounds like you are really open to diversity and culture!

[@icsivan]

Unfortunately.

[@matthewgauthier7251]

Well we sorta invaded that country, and opened up the opportunity for that. Duh

[@Afartan]

@Elemental Entity They are welcome just like my great great grandparents came here from Europe.

[@bearbriganti5203]

Elemental Entity what are you complaining about? At least someone is willing to live in Hell Cajon, and besides it’s still very very cheap to live there. I agree with you that rent is ridiculously high but the main problem in my opinion is the damn military people moving here from out of state and the Asians coming to UCSD, USD, SDSU. They’re the primary problem, Arabs can have El Cajon for all I care, I just want to finish paying off my house in Clairemont. Now that’s a great place to live.

[@jimkeskey]

People make nasty comments about El Cajon today because it deserves them!

[@CynthiaMorrow-w2q]

😊

[@mannypulido2408]

No more El Cajon City, Now is Iraq City as soon as I arrive it smells like a camel

[@JovauneePierre]

I run it now.

[@Sred97]

I need some good Og y'all got it out there?