The Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the Dodgers moved to LA, and Pink Plastic Flamingos began appearing on lawns. It was 1957…the year Earl and Ramona Birch moved their mobile home into Marineland.
Previously, they had been living in Inglewood on a "bootlegged" lot next to a family for whom Earl worked. But the city of Inglewood told them the home was parked illegally and they had to move. "We were just driving around when we found Marineland," says Ramona, "it was like a gypsy camp...tents, buses, and campers parked in a grove of eucalyptus trees."
They moved on Labor Day weekend, in time for their six-year-old daughter Leona to start Hermosa Valley School. "In those days there were many families and maybe 60 children living at Marineland." remembers Ramona "The sand hill was just dirt. The kids used it as a playground to slide down. I used to take my kids for swimming lessons at the Biltmore Hotel. Everybody knew everybody, and for many years there were monthly BBQs in the park."
At that time, the Birches 60x8 foot home was the largest in the park and had room enough for three. But by 1967 they were a family of five; Earl, Ramona, daughter Leona and sons Earl and Tom. They purchased a new doublewide and moved to their current location in space 21.
After living in Marineland for 47 years, they have no regrets and no plans to ever move. Ramona says that there is always something going on and everything is close by. Having the school next door was especially great for the kids. Now, it’s great for the grandkids.
By Janice Yates (8/24/2004) Special thanks to editors Anne Elling & Marilyn Gibson