An Independence Day for the ages

JERRY PERSON

It was predicted that it would be the greatest event in the West. As

we continue our look back at past Independence Day celebrations, 1958

may indeed go down in history as just that.

Like many that preceded it, this celebration came together with

the help of many residents who volunteered to entertain our visitors

on the day of our country’s independence anniversary.

Much of this work was carried out by the Huntington Beach Chamber

of Commerce’s legendary William H. “El Generalissimo” Gallienne.

Gallienne and his committees would begin planning for the events

early in the year. They sent out invitations to many of the entrants

to be part of that year’s greatest parade on earth, a five-day event.

In June of 1958, the committees were named. Filling the general

executive committee were members of the City Council (Mayor Earl

Irby, councilmen Nobel Waite, Robert Lambert, Roy Bryant and Victor

Terry) along with several other prominent citizens. These included

state Sen. John Murdy, Dr. David Payne, Willis Warner, Oscar Myhre,

Dr. Charles Gruber, Marcus McCallen, Rear Adm. J.R. McKinney, Earl

Wilson, Louis Lake, Robert Daily, Jim Musick, Frank Wharton and Ray

Overacker.

I know these names may seem unfamiliar to many of our city’s

newcomers, but in 1958 these names were familiar to most locals.

Official parade announcer Charles “Chuck” Rothart sent an

invitation to actress Zsa Zsa Gabor to attend the parade, who sent

back word that she would be glad to attend. That is, if we held a

cocktail party for her, had a place set aside for her to freshen up

every two hours and paid her $3,500.

That was a lot of money in 1958.

Rothart next contacted actress Kim Novak and was told that she

would come for $1,500.

Officials reluctantly withdrew both invitations. Why should we pay

anyone for the privilege of being seen nationwide in our world-famous

parade?

Gallienne picked Maj. Gen. Edward W. Snedeker from Camp Pendleton

as the parade’s official reviewing officer.

It was left to Danny Pounds and Jack Nelson as committee chairs to

arrange for judging of the parade’s queen and her court. Many

beautiful girls entered the contest, and in the end, Gwendolyn

Driggers was selected queen and Carol Warrecker, Ana Sandoval, Linda

Hileman, Sandi Richard and Judy Rathburn as her princesses.

Norm Worthy was in charge of the celebration’s first event on June

28, a rough-water swim around the pier.

Five days later, the Orange Empire Carnival opened at the corner

of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, offering carnival rides and

special attractions beginning on July 3.

That evening, for one hour starting at 11:15 p.m., the old and

young were invited to an old-fashioned grunion run in which

participants would catch those silvery fish with their bare hands.

Mayor Irby and his wife Mary were hosts at a reception at Memorial

Hall for many of the year’s 200 visiting celebrities. These included

many military officers and their families, and Cico Rice catered the

reception.

Following the reception, former mayor Marcus M. McCallen invited

several dignitaries over for a small party at his home on Crest

Avenue.

By then, it was July 4 and the beginning of our historic

celebration.

The first event of the day included an equestrian event held at

Lake Street and Adams Avenue, with three rings in which the judges

watched as the horses performed. The theme of the parade was “The

Conquest of Space.” But just before the parade was to begin at 11

a.m., six horses owned by L.B. Wickershim of Costa Mesa bolted, and

in their running, one of the horses fell down and was injured.

The parade began at Main and 14th streets with the carrying of the

colors followed by the Honorary Marshal Ernest Specht riding in a car

with his two daughters Anna and Emilie.

There were many floats in the parade competing for prizes and

awards. The Mayor’s Trophy was awarded to the Excelsior Creamery of

Santa Ana, the Sweepstakes Trophy went to the Santa Ana Chamber of

Commerce and Orange Coast College took home the President’s Trophy.

The Native Daughters of the Golden West of Huntington Beach took

first place in the decorated auto division.

The 1st Marine Division from Camp Pendleton took first in the

Marching Military Units division and the Long Beach Naval Shipyard

got first prize in the military floats division.

After the two-hour parade had ended, the public took time out to

enjoy lunch at many of our fine cafes before heading over to the

open-air beach amphitheater for a concert by the 72nd U.S. Army Band

of Fort MacArthur, set to begin at 2:30 p.m.

The All Southland Bathing Beauty Revue and Pageant followed, as

judges selected Paulette Adams of Indio as Miss Firecracker and Ann

Johnson of Norwalk and Wendy Wagner of Coronado as runners-up.

The master of ceremonies for the beauty pageant was Ellis Craig,

and the Veterans Community Band -- under the direction of Clark

Higgenbothan -- supplied the music.

Johnny Ringo and his Hollywood Western stunt men put on historic

gunfights, saloon brawls and exhibitions of trick-roping at 4:30 p.m.

At 6 p.m., the Pavalon Skating Rink was opened for skating until

the next event began at 7:30 p.m. There was a band concert called

“The Theodore Roosevelt Centennial,” put on by the Burbank Police

Boys Band.

At 9 p.m., it was time for Bud Higgins and the Golden State

Fireworks Co. to light off the fireworks display on the pier.

The H.B. Elks clubhouse inside the Huntington Inn at 8th and PCH

hosted a dance party, and our Independence Day celebration ended with

a grunion run at midnight.

The next two days featured swimming in the salt-water plunge,

fishing from our barge, golfing, picnics and carnival events.

It was truly a time for the whole family, and it certainly lived

up to expectations as the greatest patriotic demonstration in the

West.

* JERRY PERSON is a local historian and longtime Huntington Beach

resident. If you have ideas for future columns, write him at P.O. Box

7182, Huntington Beach, CA 92615.