<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Southern California lifestyle – promise of instant everything and endless sunshine – and swimming pools.</figcaption></figure>



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If the grand exodus from the East Coast to the West signified the end of World War 2, the continued migration came from relatives, word of mouth and advertising continued that Great Trek West. Every Sunday newspapers were overflowing with ads for No Money Down For Vets housing communities that promised to be something akin to principalities running throughout Southern California. In what became known as Bedroom Communities – those places considered ideal for the growing family and the burgeoning professional promised harmony, breathing room and friendly neighbors. Everything was geared to the youthful lifestyle; the outdoors, all-electric Medallion homes – push buttons – remote control. Nothing that reminded anyone of anyplace remotely like it in Pennsylvania or Delaware – this was the new world, this was the future.

Even Media during the 1950s was geared towards the Grand Sales Pitch – radio and television ran local programming touting “only in Southern California” and “Where else, but Southern California can you. . . “?

Which brings me to this program; Gordon’s Garden. It was the quintessential SoCal sales pitch, even for the lowly Turkey which was being demonstrated as something to be barbecued in outdoor grills. Gordon’s Garden featured Gordon Baker Lloyd and his wife Sassy Baker Lloyd and a parade of experts and home economists all geared to promoting the Southern California Outdoor Lifestyle. This one, from October 31, 1954 features the Lloyds smack in the middle of an adventure in barbecuing a Turkey. Coming to the rescue was a Home Economist from The Turkey Institute, armed with tips, suggestions and instructions on barbecuing the perfect Turkey by offering advice.

Gordon’s Garden was a daily program broadcast over KABC-TV whose claim to fame was that it was the first Television program to be aired live from an honest-to-god garden somewhere in a Los Angeles suburb. At the time it was a big deal because Television cameras were gargantuan and doing a live broadcast brought something of a special set of headaches.

To get an idea of just where Southern California was during the 1950s and to hear what L.A. was doing to lure visitors and transplants to the growing number of bedroom communities springing up everywhere from Pacoima to Signal Hill – here is a portion (the Turkey Barbecue) of a program aired live from October 31, 1954.

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