WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => Wrightwood History => Topic started by: ChicagoCop on Dec 06, 13, 10:38:52 AM
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I have a question about Wrightwood California and I am hoping somebody from your group may have the answer. An episode of the old TV series "The Rockford Files" was filmed in Wrightwood. The title of the episode was, "Deadlock in Parma". Parma was the fictional city name given to Wrightwood in this episode. In this episode they refer to and show a park with a bell in it that is located in Wrightwood. The question is was this park and bell something created for this TV show or does it really exist in Wrightwood.
If you have the answer to this bell question can you please send an e-mail to me at ChicagoCop20968@yahoo.com
Thanks, William Kazupski
The bell photo along with other Wrightwood photos from the late 1970's can be seen at this link:
http://rockfordfilesfilminglocations.blogspot.com/2012/11/update-rockford-files-episode-deadlock.html
http://rockfordfilesfilminglocations.blogspot.com/2012/11/update-rockford-files-episode-deadlock.html (http://rockfordfilesfilminglocations.blogspot.com/2012/11/update-rockford-files-episode-deadlock.html)
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I'm not a long-time resident, so could be wrong, but the photo with the bell doesn't look like Wrightwood to me. A rock outcrop, a road that flat with some semblance of grass? I think it might be one of the Mission Bells ... if so, it could be any of 450 locations:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/news/missionbell.htm
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Cool website Chicago Cop! I browsed through some of the other photos from that episode:
1. Your image of the Faith Lutheran Church/Timberline Lions Club: That building was not torn down. It's still here and is a community center available for rental. It houses gatherings, events, plays, boutiques, and even the Farmers Market during winter.
2. The bell and those mountains do not look familiar. I'm thinking this was fictional.
3. Oster Realty is no longer in business. That building has been remodeled and is now the Cabin Creek Inn, a nice motel.
4. Your image of Purma Sheriff near the old gas station: That gas station is also no longer there. We have a little gas station and mini-mart across the street from that.
5. The Purma Sheriff Office building is still there. It houses a travel agency/motorcycle tour company.
6. And yes! Wrightwood is a great little town - hope you make it someday.
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I think the gas station is where Victor's Wrightwood Auto Service is now. Looks like their building, and there used to be a gas station there.
The bell and the park are definitely somewhere else. There are no grassy parks like that in Wrightwood. Looks like an El Camino Real bell from somewhere near the coast.
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Victor's Garage used to be a Shell gas station.
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Isn't that Victor's building? The movie company changed a lot of signs.
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Looks like the lot next to Jensen's that Navitat now uses for parking.
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Re the "Tehachapi Belle".
Useless trivia time: The man who played Jim Rockford's father in that series, did live in Tehachapi.
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That Bell and Park is the rest stop on Highway 1 in Gaviota, Santa Barbara County it is located on the north bound lanes just as you leave the coast and head inland toward Lompac. It is one of the bells on the trail marking the Camino Del Real (?) the original route that spanish explorers used to establish the Mission System along the California Coast from Mexico to Monteray Bay.
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That Bell and Park is the rest stop on Highway 1 in Gaviota,...
If that's the area, it sure looks different these days.
Link: Bell in the park at Gaviota Rest Area (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Gaviota,+CA&hl=en&ll=34.485901,-120.228281&spn=0.00856,0.012746&sll=37.269174,-119.306607&sspn=16.831269,26.103516&oq=gaviota.+ca&hnear=Gaviota,+Santa+Barbara+County,+California&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=34.48569,-120.228514&panoid=OqjKzsti4ywevcTkAvhtTw&cbp=12,167.24,,1,0.15)
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The "Gaviota" Fire burned through that area a few years ago and it does look very different but the rock outcroppings have not changed. It is the El Camino Real route that is marked with the bells from Mexico to Monteray Bay. Anytime you see one of the trail markers on Highway 1 or Highway 101 they signify the El Camino Real. Both of the rest stops have been remodeled since the Rockford files show but I feel certain those pictures with the bell was the Gaviota Rest Stop on Highway 1.
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I don't think I would want to play Trivia with you guys. You're good. cheryl o7o
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I wish to thank everybody who has helped me in my questions about the beautiful town of Wrightwood, CA. You folks are truly amazing! I look forward to visiting your area within the next year. :)
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ChicagoCop: I agree .. the folks here are amazing. I did send you a p.m... but here is another hint for you.
In the end credits for that episode (assuming you have a copy of it) .. you should be able to see 'credits" for the locations used. And, you might also be able to see a credit for the photograph of the bell. You may not be able to discern the actual credit for the bell.. but something should be there that can lead you to it. TV and films usually credit the source of locations and 'other material under copyright.' What a great Trivia challenge you gave all of us up here on a day when a storm in blowing in. cheryl o7o
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A few years ago, another made-for-tv movie production took over the downtown area for several days. In it, you can see many of the same buildings you talk about on your Rockford blog, including the Yodler. That movie is available on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8QriXa95zo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8QriXa95zo)
And here's another thread about some other "downtown" filming that took place in the past few years: http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,184.0.html (http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,184.0.html)
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Thanks again!!!!
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Actually, if I remember correctly, that bell still hangs on the parking lot and service road at the entrance of Dana Point Institute off of Dana Point Dr, in Dana Point, Ca---there is a tall ship there, and a little beach cove park.
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saw that movie when it aired on TV a few years back, was flipping channels and caught a scene that was shot in downtown Wrightwood, instantly recognizable!
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Chicago Cop. If you pop in on Wrightwood we have several FOP members here. I have been a member for over 40 years and will enjoy showing you our beautiful little Village. Stay safe!
C. Smith
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Does anyone know where we can get a copy of that episode of the Rockford Files? My boss that owns AdMo-Tours would like to know. We are based in the old "Parma Sheriff" building.
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I just checked, and the "Deadlock in Parma" episode of the Rockford Files can be viewed on Netflix. It's Season 6, episode 12.