Long Beach's Los Altos Center


In the mid-1950s, this emblem was used to promote a gleaming new Southern California shopping hub. As a matter of note, the Spanish-to-English translation of "Los Altos" is "The Tall Ones."
Graphic from the L.S. Whaley Company


The Walker's chain, originally based in Los Angeles, established a Long Beach division in the late 1920s. A branch anchored the original LOS ALTOS CENTER. The store, which encompassed 100,000 square feet, opened its doors in October 1955.


The building sported the Walker's nameplate for only 1 year. It was acquired by Broadway-Hale Stores in late 1956 and Broadway-branded soon after.