kikibalt wrote:Any of you L.A. boys been to the late "Little Joe's" up on N.Broadway and the Avenues?
It was a fun place to go....
raylawpc wrote:Here is a little bit. Not long after Jeff died, a permanent memorial was proposed when the San Fernando Valley Historical Society announced plans to purchase his home and turn it into a museum and meeting place for local civic groups. After years of discussion, the proposal failed when the group was unable to raise the $60,000 necessary to purchase the residence. The once beautiful house sat vacant for several years and eventually became an eyesore. It was finally condemned and demolished in February 1960 after it was damaged by arsonists.Rick Farris wrote:More contemporary photos of legendary Southern Cal boxing sites . . .
In the future, I'll share a little piece of my old "stomping grounds", Burbank, California. In 1952, when I was born, Burbank was home to the "Jim Jeffries Barn", and a home that also belonged to the former heavyweight champ, cross corner from the barn at the intersection of Buena Vista St. & Victory Blvd.
If the barn was still in place, it would sit right in the front parking lot of a super market. Today you can find it at "Knott's Berry Farm", it's home since 1954. The house was razed shortly after the death of Jeffries, and today a gas station marks the spot.
Tom Ray can fill us in on the history of Jeffries, and in due course I'll provide some contemporary photos of the site.
Monica is my photographer, and we're having fun with this.
-Rick Farris
As we all know, the famous “Jeffries Barn” faired better. Immediately after Jeffries’ death, a developer announced plans to buy the land, raze the barn, and construct an apartment complex on the site. Later, a hotel was suggested for the location, but ultimately the International Association of Machinists built a union hall there. I bet Rick remembers that hall. In 1954, the barn itself was moved board-by-board to the Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park in Buena Park, California. Although for many years it was operated as a boxing museum, the barn now houses a doll collection; only a small plaque in the back of the building identifies its association with the former world’s champion. As Rick said, a grocery store sits on the sit of the barn. Accross the street, at the location of Jeff's home, sits a strip mall.
Jeffries himself is now barely remembered in his adopted home town of Burbank. There is a “Jeffries Street” two blocks south from the site of his home, but his only real memorial is a small exhibit at the Burbank Historical Society Museum. According to the museum curator, nobody visits the museum just to look at the Jeffries exhibit (well, I did); it is only enjoyed as an aside by those who go there for another reason and are surprised that a world heavyweight champion once lived in Burbank. As a mentioned before, I have made some effort to get a state historical marker erected at Buena Vista and Victory, but I can't even get anybody in Sacramento to return my letters. A marker was installed in the sidewalk in front of Jeffries home on the occasion of his 75th birthday in 1950, but that marker vanished long ago, probably when they tore down the house in 1960.
kikibalt wrote:
This is the back door entrance of the "Blue Palms Bar", located across the alley behind the "Hollywood Legion Stadium". When it was time for an "eye opener", Hap Navarro would slip out of his office at the Legion, cross the alley and enter this very door. Once inside, it was very common to hear a voice coming from the bar . . . "Hap Navarro, I can knock you out in 42 rounds!" The voice belonged to the legendary Speedy Dado, Hap's cue to buy a round.
-Rick Farris
Rick Farris wrote:Where Hap made it happen . . .
I started the morning talking with Frank on the phone. We shared some warm memories of Johnnie Flores, his brilliant story telling, etc. Now I was in the mood for some history, something to see and to share. I knew where to go, and where to look when I got there. The words of Hap Navarro were my guide. It wasn't the first time, and it won't be the last because we are now reconstructing a brilliant era in Los Angeles boxing. Most true L.A. historians believe it to be Los Angeles' "Golden Era" of boxing.
Today, I am 57-years-old, I began my boxing career in L.A. nearly forty-five years ago. I believe this qualifies "my opinion", as I came up in a pretty hot era myself, the one that followed L.A.'s "Golden Era of Boxing". And just for the record, I am not ignorant to what went on in this town in previous eras of the last century, thanks to Mr. Navarro.
My wife had some business downtown, so we took care of it and then headed for Hollywood. We parked the car on El Centro, by the curb fronting the old Hollywood Legion Stadium, today a Balley's Fitness center. As I sat behind the wheel of my car, motor running, I asked Monica to photograph the building from across the street, and she wisely took the initiative to take another facing up the street, toward the Hollywood Hills. When she returned to the car she was smiling.
"I took one photo that shows the Hollywood Sign up in the hills," she said, "it lines up perfect with the Legion building."
I'd never noticed before, but she was right. It was as if the legendary "Hollywood Sign" was aligned with the building that once housed the city's most popular boxing arena. Maybe that's why the stars (movie stars) lined up in numbers to attend boxing matches at the "Hollywood Legion". There's something magic about the area.
This is still Hollywood, jaded and faded, but still where people come to find their dreams. In days past, many dreams were found under the roof of what is today a Balley's Fitness Center.
"Let's go around the corner and get a shot of the Blue Palms Bar, Hap's watering hole," I suggested. I just wanted a quick shot, nothing to artsy this time, just want the guys to get an idea. I'll go deeper later, inside the buildings, take better photos, get more info. After shooting the front, we went around to a side parking lot which gave me a shot of the building's back side, off the alley.
As I walked up to the back of the Henry Fonda Theatre, where I could access the Blue Palms back door, I see that the area is protected by a chain link fence. The theatre is now a music venue ("The Music Box") and rock bands load in-and-out back stage from there. A young rock band "roadie" was locking the gate when I jog up and ask, "You mind if I get a picture before you lock up?"
The young man smiled and said, "Go ahead." We struck up a brief conversation and I told him why I wanted to shoot the bar's rear door. I told him about the Hollywood Legion, what the bar once was to the fight crowd, etc. He was a boxing fan and seemed to enjoy the history. "Wow, I had no idea. That was a boxing arena, huh?" pointing to Balley's.
"Yes it was. One of the best in boxing history." I answered.
-Rick Farris
I don't mind paying my fair share of taxes, I just don't like paying through the nose.raylawpc wrote:"He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation... For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.... We, therefore... solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States." ~The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies, 1776
My response: Taxation with representation ain't so hot either.
Thanks Rick. Jeff was very giving to the community. During the depression, Jeff housed teenage boys in the old bunkhouse on the property, giving them free room and board, and using his contacts in the valley to help find them jobs. He did it all without any fanfare or money. I have a picture of him leading these boys in exercises.Rick Farris wrote:raylawpc wrote:Here is a little bit. Not long after Jeff died, a permanent memorial was proposed when the San Fernando Valley Historical Society announced plans to purchase his home and turn it into a museum and meeting place for local civic groups. After years of discussion, the proposal failed when the group was unable to raise the $60,000 necessary to purchase the residence. The once beautiful house sat vacant for several years and eventually became an eyesore. It was finally condemned and demolished in February 1960 after it was damaged by arsonists.Rick Farris wrote:More contemporary photos of legendary Southern Cal boxing sites . . .
In the future, I'll share a little piece of my old "stomping grounds", Burbank, California. In 1952, when I was born, Burbank was home to the "Jim Jeffries Barn", and a home that also belonged to the former heavyweight champ, cross corner from the barn at the intersection of Buena Vista St. & Victory Blvd.
If the barn was still in place, it would sit right in the front parking lot of a super market. Today you can find it at "Knott's Berry Farm", it's home since 1954. The house was razed shortly after the death of Jeffries, and today a gas station marks the spot.
Tom Ray can fill us in on the history of Jeffries, and in due course I'll provide some contemporary photos of the site.
Monica is my photographer, and we're having fun with this.
-Rick Farris
As we all know, the famous “Jeffries Barn” faired better. Immediately after Jeffries’ death, a developer announced plans to buy the land, raze the barn, and construct an apartment complex on the site. Later, a hotel was suggested for the location, but ultimately the International Association of Machinists built a union hall there. I bet Rick remembers that hall. In 1954, the barn itself was moved board-by-board to the Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park in Buena Park, California. Although for many years it was operated as a boxing museum, the barn now houses a doll collection; only a small plaque in the back of the building identifies its association with the former world’s champion. As Rick said, a grocery store sits on the sit of the barn. Accross the street, at the location of Jeff's home, sits a strip mall.
Jeffries himself is now barely remembered in his adopted home town of Burbank. There is a “Jeffries Street” two blocks south from the site of his home, but his only real memorial is a small exhibit at the Burbank Historical Society Museum. According to the museum curator, nobody visits the museum just to look at the Jeffries exhibit (well, I did); it is only enjoyed as an aside by those who go there for another reason and are surprised that a world heavyweight champion once lived in Burbank. As a mentioned before, I have made some effort to get a state historical marker erected at Buena Vista and Victory, but I can't even get anybody in Sacramento to return my letters. A marker was installed in the sidewalk in front of Jeffries home on the occasion of his 75th birthday in 1950, but that marker vanished long ago, probably when they tore down the house in 1960.
Tom . . . I attended Junior High School in Burbank that was located two blocks from the corner of Victory & Buena Vista, on "Jeffries Street". The Union Hall you described has been razed itself, and today only a Super Market occupies the spot. The Union Hall had it's own grim hisotry. In 1969, a disgruntled union member came into the office and opened fire on several union officals after being laid off on a job. At the time, I just happened to be in the emergency room of St. Joseph's Hospital waiting for my cousin who had cut his finger in an accident. As I waited for my cousin, the two slain union officials were wheeled in, and it was pretty easy to tell they were "DOA". Later I would learn what happened to them on the news.
Your efforts to have a memorial placed on the site is one that should be honored. Jeff was a huge part of early Burbank's history. Prior to WW2, Jeffries Barn featured amateur bouts every week that filled the barn with many motion picture stars who resided in the growing San Fernanado Valley. The most successful promoters were Art and Babe Martell.
My friend Karl Nelson told me that Jeffries would often referee the bouts and on one night a group of drunk football players got out of line at ringside and were stupid enough to resist Jeffries efforts to eject them peacefully. One took a shot a Jeff, who in trun KO'ed all five men, literally stacking their bodies on the floor before dragging them outside.
One of Jeff's most successful amateurs, Gene "Spider" Mock, worked for years as a studio laborer. Spider had the best Jim Jeffries Barn stories of anybody I knew. What great history. amazing that of all the boxing figures that live in Southern Cal, nobody has put for the effort you have to honor the site.
For that I'd like to say, thanks Tom.
-Rick Farris
I like to have fire and police departments, streets to drive on, state parks, beachs, etc, etc, to visit, all that cost money and I'm happy to pay my fair share of taxs to have those thing.... ;;-)Randyman wrote:I don't mind paying my fair share of taxes, I just don't like paying through the nose.raylawpc wrote:"He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation... For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.... We, therefore... solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States." ~The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies, 1776
My response: Taxation with representation ain't so hot either.
Randy
We ate at Little Joe's back in the late 1940s with its colorful red/white checkered table cloths. In fact, my buddies hosted my bachelor dinner across the street at another Italian eatery called the "Vesuvius". It was a popular area that became busier when the old Paris Inn night club moved from L.A. and Market streets to a spot kitty-corner from Little Joe's.Rick Farris wrote:kikibalt wrote:Any of you L.A. boys been to the late "Little Joe's" up on N.Broadway and the Avenues?
It was a fun place to go....
Frank . . . Little Joe's was a place my dad and his busines associares would often eat. It was an Italian Restaurant right in the middle of China Town. Go figure. Today it's just an empty building, falling apart, over grown with weeds. My dad told me he saw many high profile L.A. figures in "Little Joe's", including gangster Mickey Cohen.
-Rick Farris
Dongee wrote:We ate at Little Joe's back in the late 1940s with its colorful red/white checkered table cloths. In fact, my buddies hosted my bachelor dinner across the street at another Italian eatery called the "Vesuvius". It was a popular area that became busier when the old Paris Inn night club moved from L.A. and Market streets to a spot kitty-corner from Little Joe's.Rick Farris wrote:kikibalt wrote:Any of you L.A. boys been to the late "Little Joe's" up on N.Broadway and the Avenues?
It was a fun place to go....
Frank . . . Little Joe's was a place my dad and his busines associares would often eat. It was an Italian Restaurant right in the middle of China Town. Go figure. Today it's just an empty building, falling apart, over grown with weeds. My dad told me he saw many high profile L.A. figures in "Little Joe's", including gangster Mickey Cohen.
-Rick Farris
That was, as writer Matt Weinstock put it "My L.A."......a lifetime ago.
Memories.
hap navarro
Those facts are hard to argue with Frank.kikibalt wrote:I like to have fire and police departments, streets to drive on, state parks, beachs, etc, etc, to visit, all that cost money and I'm happy to pay my fair share of taxs to have those thing.... ;;-)Randyman wrote:I don't mind paying my fair share of taxes, I just don't like paying through the nose.raylawpc wrote:"He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation... For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.... We, therefore... solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States." ~The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies, 1776
My response: Taxation with representation ain't so hot either.
Randy
To the best of my knowledge, yes, its true. Slightly over 10 seconds. I personally think that Jeff might have been the best all-around athlete to ever hold the heavyweight title. He could have done anything in athletics, but chose boxing because it paid the best. Jeff liked the money and respect that came with boxing and being the champion.Rick Farris wrote:Thanks Rick. Jeff was very giving to the community. During the depression, Jeff housed teenage boys in the old bunkhouse on the property, giving them free room and board, and using his contacts in the valley to help find them jobs. He did it all without any fanfare or money. I have a picture of him leading these boys in exercises.
He also allowed just about any group to use the Barn that needed it for a good purpose. Before your time, the city of Burbank used to have an annual rodeo at the Barn, and, if memory serves, he never charged them a dime. When he died, one of the pastors at his funeral was a fellow that Jeff allowed to use the Barn as a church.
When it was announced that Jeff had died, the Los Angeles City Council adjourned early in his honor.
If you know anybody in Sacramento who can help with that marker, please let me know.
BTW, if you recall any of those Jeffries Barn stories, please, please, please write them down and send to me.
Oh, and another little tid-bit about Jeff and Burbank. When the Burbank city fathers originally dedicated a street after him, they spelled it "Jefferies Street." Jeff went back to them and thanked them for the honor, but asked that they spell his name correctly. I have another photo of him watching as a city worker changes out the street sign to the correct spelling.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Great history, Tom! You are teaching me things about the town I grew up in and a great heavyweight champ who lived in my neighborhood. Anything you choose to share about Jim Jeffries will be appreciated here. I have been told that James J. Jeffries was a talented all-around athlete and could sprint 100 yards in 10 seconds flat. Is that true?
-Rick
How tall was JJJ?raylawpc wrote:To the best of my knowledge, yes, its true. Slightly over 10 seconds. I personally think that Jeff might have been the best all-around athlete to ever hold the heavyweight title. He could have done anything in athletics, but chose boxing because it paid the best. Jeff liked the money and respect that came with boxing and being the champion.Rick Farris wrote:Thanks Rick. Jeff was very giving to the community. During the depression, Jeff housed teenage boys in the old bunkhouse on the property, giving them free room and board, and using his contacts in the valley to help find them jobs. He did it all without any fanfare or money. I have a picture of him leading these boys in exercises.
He also allowed just about any group to use the Barn that needed it for a good purpose. Before your time, the city of Burbank used to have an annual rodeo at the Barn, and, if memory serves, he never charged them a dime. When he died, one of the pastors at his funeral was a fellow that Jeff allowed to use the Barn as a church.
When it was announced that Jeff had died, the Los Angeles City Council adjourned early in his honor.
If you know anybody in Sacramento who can help with that marker, please let me know.
BTW, if you recall any of those Jeffries Barn stories, please, please, please write them down and send to me.
Oh, and another little tid-bit about Jeff and Burbank. When the Burbank city fathers originally dedicated a street after him, they spelled it "Jefferies Street." Jeff went back to them and thanked them for the honor, but asked that they spell his name correctly. I have another photo of him watching as a city worker changes out the street sign to the correct spelling.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Great history, Tom! You are teaching me things about the town I grew up in and a great heavyweight champ who lived in my neighborhood. Anything you choose to share about Jim Jeffries will be appreciated here. I have been told that James J. Jeffries was a talented all-around athlete and could sprint 100 yards in 10 seconds flat. Is that true?
-Rick
Frank, His Boxrec page has him listed as an even 6" 0".kikibalt wrote:How tall was JJJ?raylawpc wrote:To the best of my knowledge, yes, its true. Slightly over 10 seconds. I personally think that Jeff might have been the best all-around athlete to ever hold the heavyweight title. He could have done anything in athletics, but chose boxing because it paid the best. Jeff liked the money and respect that came with boxing and being the champion.Rick Farris wrote:Thanks Rick. Jeff was very giving to the community. During the depression, Jeff housed teenage boys in the old bunkhouse on the property, giving them free room and board, and using his contacts in the valley to help find them jobs. He did it all without any fanfare or money. I have a picture of him leading these boys in exercises.
He also allowed just about any group to use the Barn that needed it for a good purpose. Before your time, the city of Burbank used to have an annual rodeo at the Barn, and, if memory serves, he never charged them a dime. When he died, one of the pastors at his funeral was a fellow that Jeff allowed to use the Barn as a church.
When it was announced that Jeff had died, the Los Angeles City Council adjourned early in his honor.
If you know anybody in Sacramento who can help with that marker, please let me know.
BTW, if you recall any of those Jeffries Barn stories, please, please, please write them down and send to me.
Oh, and another little tid-bit about Jeff and Burbank. When the Burbank city fathers originally dedicated a street after him, they spelled it "Jefferies Street." Jeff went back to them and thanked them for the honor, but asked that they spell his name correctly. I have another photo of him watching as a city worker changes out the street sign to the correct spelling.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Great history, Tom! You are teaching me things about the town I grew up in and a great heavyweight champ who lived in my neighborhood. Anything you choose to share about Jim Jeffries will be appreciated here. I have been told that James J. Jeffries was a talented all-around athlete and could sprint 100 yards in 10 seconds flat. Is that true?
-Rick
I remember this fight very well. I was sitting with my father and uncle in the third row ringside, right below Mando's corner. It was a great fight and Mando was doing well. However, in the fifteenth and final round Palomino gave him a pretty bad whipping. When I saw Mando go down, I was saddened. I remember watching him walk by us as he left the ring. The disappointment on his face was clear. I thought, Maybe it's time for my friend to retire, he took a lot toward the end of the fight. However, there would be a rematch and Mando gave Palomino a tough fight before losing by decision.Randyman wrote:From the old Los Angeles Herald-Examiner
Randy . . . Yes, time does fly by. What a beautiful family. You and Jeri are two of God's gifts to the world. I didn't have much time to visit with you and she at the WBHOF banquet, I was busy with my responsibilities and there was a lot of confusion, as you know. This coming year Monica & I hope to get to know Jeri, as well as Roger's wife Maria, better. I truly enjoy when you post pics of the family, and everything else we post here.Randyman wrote:
This photo was taken in 1989 at Huntington State Beach. Jeri was a Cub Scout Den mother and the Scouts had a big BBQ that night at the beach. Time flies.
Thanks, Randy, I was to lazy to go there....Randyman wrote:Thanks Rick. Jeff was very giving to the community. During the depression, Jeff housed teenage boys in the old bunkhouse on the property, giving them free room and board, and using his contacts in the valley to help find them jobs. He did it all without any fanfare or money. I have a picture of him leading these boys in exercises.
He also allowed just about any group to use the Barn that needed it for a good purpose. Before your time, the city of Burbank used to have an annual rodeo at the Barn, and, if memory serves, he never charged them a dime. When he died, one of the pastors at his funeral was a fellow that Jeff allowed to use the Barn as a church.
When it was announced that Jeff had died, the Los Angeles City Council adjourned early in his honor.
If you know anybody in Sacramento who can help with that marker, please let me know.
BTW, if you recall any of those Jeffries Barn stories, please, please, please write them down and send to me.
Oh, and another little tid-bit about Jeff and Burbank. When the Burbank city fathers originally dedicated a street after him, they spelled it "Jefferies Street." Jeff went back to them and thanked them for the honor, but asked that they spell his name correctly. I have another photo of him watching as a city worker changes out the street sign to the correct spelling.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Great history, Tom! You are teaching me things about the town I grew up in and a great heavyweight champ who lived in my neighborhood. Anything you choose to share about Jim Jeffries will be appreciated here. I have been told that James J. Jeffries was a talented all-around athlete and could sprint 100 yards in 10 seconds flat. Is that true?
-Rick
To the best of my knowledge, yes, its true. Slightly over 10 seconds. I personally think that Jeff might have been the best all-around athlete to ever hold the heavyweight title. He could have done anything in athletics, but chose boxing because it paid the best. Jeff liked the money and respect that came with boxing and being the champion.
How tall was JJJ?
Frank, His Boxrec page has him listed as an even 6" 0".
Great family picture, Randy.Rick Farris wrote:Randy . . . Yes, time does fly by. What a beautiful family. You and Jeri are two of God's gifts to the world. I didn't have much time to visit with you and she at the WBHOF banquet, I was busy with my responsibilities and there was a lot of confusion, as you know. This coming year Monica & I hope to get to know Jeri, as well as Roger's wife Maria, better. I truly enjoy when you post pics of the family, and everything else we post here.Randyman wrote:
This photo was taken in 1989 at Huntington State Beach. Jeri was a Cub Scout Den mother and the Scouts had a big BBQ that night at the beach. Time flies.
-Rick
That question actually is not so easy to answer. I've seen him listed between 6-0 and 6-3. Most sources list him at 6-2. A physician in Philadelphia measured him after the Fitz fight in 1899 and, if I recall correctly, he measured 6-2 barefooted.kikibalt wrote:How tall was JJJ?raylawpc wrote:To the best of my knowledge, yes, its true. Slightly over 10 seconds. I personally think that Jeff might have been the best all-around athlete to ever hold the heavyweight title. He could have done anything in athletics, but chose boxing because it paid the best. Jeff liked the money and respect that came with boxing and being the champion.Rick Farris wrote:Thanks Rick. Jeff was very giving to the community. During the depression, Jeff housed teenage boys in the old bunkhouse on the property, giving them free room and board, and using his contacts in the valley to help find them jobs. He did it all without any fanfare or money. I have a picture of him leading these boys in exercises.
He also allowed just about any group to use the Barn that needed it for a good purpose. Before your time, the city of Burbank used to have an annual rodeo at the Barn, and, if memory serves, he never charged them a dime. When he died, one of the pastors at his funeral was a fellow that Jeff allowed to use the Barn as a church.
When it was announced that Jeff had died, the Los Angeles City Council adjourned early in his honor.
If you know anybody in Sacramento who can help with that marker, please let me know.
BTW, if you recall any of those Jeffries Barn stories, please, please, please write them down and send to me.
Oh, and another little tid-bit about Jeff and Burbank. When the Burbank city fathers originally dedicated a street after him, they spelled it "Jefferies Street." Jeff went back to them and thanked them for the honor, but asked that they spell his name correctly. I have another photo of him watching as a city worker changes out the street sign to the correct spelling.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Great history, Tom! You are teaching me things about the town I grew up in and a great heavyweight champ who lived in my neighborhood. Anything you choose to share about Jim Jeffries will be appreciated here. I have been told that James J. Jeffries was a talented all-around athlete and could sprint 100 yards in 10 seconds flat. Is that true?
-Rick
