Satellite Center, 100-220 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802
Although this shopping center is near Interstate 5, several blocks away from Disneyland, it's included here for historical reasons.
I remember this tiny shopping center from 1975, and it is little changed since then. The main change, which caused great consternation among the mid-century crowd, is that the tall, lighted, rotating satellite sign in front was forced to be removed by the city of Anaheim in its modern renovation, a renovation that was said to be necessary because Disney's California Adventure failed to bring in the expected amount of income to the city. In other words, poor planning, greed, and misuse of force destroyed that nice old Googie sign. At least the modern sign in front of Satellite Market has an image of the old satellite sign, though. Googiemel's blog spot [4-12-07] discusses the history of the old satellite sign (e.g., the sign is now in The American Sign Museum in Ohio), and one old lady at the Anaheim Visitor Center mentioned this sign to me when talking about old Anaheim, so the sign is much-remembered.
Another change is that the rows of palm trees planted along Katella extend up to this shopping center, which makes the street shadier, more scenic, and more interesting. Another change, more subtle and unplanned, is the heavy Hispanic influence on this shopping center. In 1975 I remember buying a newspaper from one of the newspaper machines in front of Satellite Market, and looking at the posted apartment rental ads, but now nearly all of the newspaper machines sell Hispanic newspapers, nearly all of the ads on the bulletin board are in Spanish, and at least one of the stores has a Spanish name (Tacos Y Pupusas).
As of 4-14-07 the businesses in Satellite Center are, west-to-east:
There used to be a small coffee shop about where the next-door Chevron is now, called Satellite Coffee Shop. I remember the restaurant windows were covered by '60s style wooden jalousies, and its entrance was towards the west end. I'd sure like to find out more about that coffee shop and to obtain a postcard or photo of it because I always wanted to eat there.
The way it used to be...
This much-remembered lighted satellite sign was forced to be removed by the city of Anaheim.
Satellite Barber Shop [1968-1969]
Satellite Beauty Salon [1968-1969]
Satellite Cleaners [1968-1969]
Satellite Coffee Shop [1968-1978]
Satellite Market [1968-1978]
Satellite Pharmacy [1968-1969] |
Created: February 24, 2007
Updated: May 5, 2007