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Kid Mexico's Miracle Block

2259 Orange Ave. Signal Hill, CA 90755 | map |

Opening: This "Miracle Block" complex on Orange at 23rd St. on Signal Hill opened sometime around 1940. This photo from the Ken Davis collection appeared in the Orange County Register on April 19, 2014. It also appears on page 64 of "Signal Hill," the 2006 Arcadia Publishing book by Mr. Davis. The page is included with the book's preview on Google Books. Thanks to Ron Mahan for locating the photo.  

The complex included a movie theatre but it's not known what sort of equipment they had or how much commercial film exhibition the they did, if any. Evidently it was known for its films appealing to the younger trade. The Miracle Block was famous for throwing parties for the kids in the neighborhood. 

The establishment was a project of former prize fighter Tod Faulkner, known as Kid Mexico, and included a bowling alley, a bar, and a nightclub with a "glamorous auditorium" and dance floor. Kid Mexico also ran a bingo operation without police intervention for many years. He asserted it was a legal game of skill as the winner had to answer a question testing their knowledge before getting a payout.

"Elaborate Auditorium attracts notables and celebrities NIGHTLY." It's a promotional card from the Ronald W. Mahan Collection showing all the wonders of Kid Mexico's establishment. Ron found the card on eBay.

 

"Yes, Signal Hill is world famous and so is 'Kid Mexico's Miracle Bock.'" This is the reverse of the card with a history of Signal Hill and a discussion of the wonders of the venue. 

Closing: Sometime around 1952. The bingo game was declared illegal and the business just wasn't the same without that.

Status: The building has been demolished. 
 
 
  
No more miracles at Orange and 23rd. Photo: Google Maps - 2019

More information: See "Larger Than Life," a 2014 story about Kid Mexico by Ashley Fowler for the Signal Tribune. And check out Claudine Burnett's 2016 post "Kid Mexico" on the blog Signal Hill History. 

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