The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.
The Local History Room of the Fullerton Public Library has microfilm from the Fullerton Daily News-Tribune newspaper stretching back to 1893. I am in the process of reading over the microfilm, year by year, to get a sense of what was happening in the town over the years, and creating a mini archive. Below are some news stories from 1940.
World War II
World War II raged in Europe as England and France battled Germany, Italy entered the war, and the United States felt increasing pressure to join the fight.
The Draft
Although the United States would not officially enter the war until December 1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the country began to prepare for what seemed like the inevitable. President Roosevelt signed a law instituting a draft to build up the US armed forces, and the US continued to beef up its air and naval power.
National News
1940 was an election year, and president Roosevelt ran (and won) a third term, defeating Republican Wendell Wilkie. This was the first time a US president ran for a third term. In 1947, Congress approved the 22nd Amendment, which bars presidents from serving more than two terms.
During the election, Republican candidate Wilkie made a brief train stop in Fullerton, where he greeted a large crowd.
In 1940, a right-wing plot to overthrow the government, organized by a group called the Christian Front, was thwarted. This fascinating story is told in Rachel Maddow’s excellent podcast Ultra.
Local Politics
The 1940 City Council race was a contentious one, with large ads run in the News-Tribune claiming that Val-Vita foods, a large Fullerton corporation, was trying to gain undue influence by running one of its executives, Stroller White.
There were essentially two “tickets” of three candidates each running against each other. On one ticket was William Carmichael, Harry Maxwell, and Stroller White. They attacked their opponents by claiming that the police chief would be fired if they were not elected.
The other ticket was William Montague, Walter Muckenthaler, and Hans Kohlenberger. Ultimately, this ticket was elected.
Businessman Hans Kohlenberger was selected as Mayor.
Education
In a major shake-up, long-time Fullerton High School and Junior College Superintendent Louis Plummer decided leave the position.
Plummer first came to Fullerton Union High School in 1909. He helped organize Fullerton Junior College in 1913, and served as superintendent since 1919. Though no specifics were given, it seems clear that there was tension between Plummer and the Board of Trustees.
“My chief concern through the years of my service here has been, and it must continue to be, the welfare of the school,” Plummer wrote in a letter to the Board. “It is probably that the members of the board will unite harmoniously in support of another, elected to take the duties of this office, than they would in carrying out any program I might propose.”
As further evidence that there was tension between the Board and the administration, fifteen teachers were also released.
Plummer’s replacement was F.T. Chemberlen.
In other news, FUHS’s old auditorium was condemned.
With the rise in international tensions, a military training was begun at the High School.
New Deal Projects
Fullerton continued to benefit from various New Deal programs, including construction of a new library on the site of the original Carnegie Library (built in 1907). The Library built in 1940 is now the Fullerton Museum Center.
Other public works projects underway in 1940 included flood control measures like construction of the Brea and Fullerton dams and paving of barrancas.
In addition to public works projects, the WPA also sponsored things like archeological digs, including one in Orange County that uncovered Native American artifacts.
Downtown Fire
A massive fire destroyed much of the McMahan furniture store near the corner of Wilshire and Spadra (Harbor).
Culture and Social Life
In 1940, social clubs were popular in Fullerton, including Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Business and Professional Women’s Club, Fullerton Junior Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, 20-30 club, Ebell Club, YMCA, YWCA, Masons, Odd Fellows, and more.
For entertainment, Fullertonians went to see movies at the Fox Theater.
Housing
The sprawling Sunny Hills Ranch, formerly part of the Bastanchury Ranch, was partly subdivided into residential housing. Unfortunately, the properties had racially restrictive housing covenants.
Agriculture
Fullerton celebrated Valencia Orange Week and urged people to drink more orange juice.
Slow Population Growth
The 1940 US census found that population growth in Fullerton had slowed significantly during the Great Depression, with a population of about 11,200.
“Discussion of population changes brought out the fact that elementary school registration is nearly 600 below the total of 1930,” the News-Tribune reported. “It also was pointed out that two large Mexican colonies which once flourished on the former Bastanchury ranch, no longer exist and that occupants do not live in Fullerton.”
Sports
In sports news, famous baseball manager Connie Mack came to Fullerton, as the Philadelphia Althletics played the Portland Beavers at Amerige Park.
A new bowling alley opened downtown.
Like baseball, local football games were quite popular.
Belle Benchley, Famous Zookeeper
Belle Benchley, who was the first woman elected to the Fullerton School Board, went on to become a famous zookeeper and author in San Diego.
Deaths
Former Fullerton city marshal and justice of the peace William French died at his home 533 W. Commonwealth Ave, at age 79.
Born in 1861 in Indiana, French came to Fullerton in 1901. He was employed as city marshal in 1912, succeeding Rod Stone, and held that office until 1918, when he was made city judge and justice of the peace. He served in this capacity until he retired in 1926.
Dr. Danforth C. Cowles died suddenly. He had recently lost a race for State Assembly.
Stay tuned for top news stories from 1941!
Fullerton History 