La Cañada History: Finch’s Old Fashioned Frostee Freeze served hot dogs, hamburgers

Ten Years Ago

The City Council approved a $770,000 purchase agreement for a five-acre parcel north of Palm Crest Elementary School, to be kept as open space. The property, in the 5200 block of Jessen Drive, had belonged to a local doctor who had intended to build a large home there, but his project did not gain the necessary approvals.

Twenty Years Ago

Preparations were underway for La Cañada High School’s all-school production of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” which would be presented in the school’s auditorium over three nights in May 1993. Tad Boyd, a junior, had the key role of Stage Manager.

Thirty Years Ago

Life Bible College of Los Angeles was the only bidder to step forward when the La Cañada school board announced plans to close Foothill Intermediate School campus on Foothill at Cornishon Avenue due to declining enrollment. The college offered a 10-year lease at $450,000 with an option to buy. It also sought a $2 million credit on a $10 million purchase price because it would be making improvements to the campus, would be willing to lease back the gym for the school district’s use and because there would be no real estate agent fees involved in the transactions.

Forty Years Ago

It was announced that a cooperative swimming program would be made available to the community beginning on June 18, 1973. The program was sponsored by the La Cañada Unified School District, which was making the La Cañada High School pool available; the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA, which would oversee staffing, training and supervision of the pool, and the Youth House, which was in charge of publicity and registration.

Fifty Years Ago

A zone exception was being sought to construct 65 two-story apartments on 3 1/2 acres near La Cañada High School. The property was a triangular piece of land south of Berkshire Place; it was said by developers that its proximity to JPL would be a benefit to workers there. Today, La Cañada United Methodist Church and Hillside School and Learning Center can be found on parcels there.

Sixty Years Ago

The proprietors of Finch’s Old Fashioned Frostee Freeze, 720 Foothill Blvd., added 360 square feet to their existing building, including a patio, and announced plans to begin serving foods such as burgers (35 cents), hot dogs (25 cents), French dip sandwiches (45 cents) and “Krinkle Kut” fries (15 cents).

-- Carol Cormaci, carol.cormaci@latimes.com

Follow @CarolCormaci on Twitter.