Hawthorne, California recent comments:

https://t.co/xzcXvVXBCV

Parts and moulds from SpaceX's rockets and spacecraft can be seen in the surrounding lot.

The place burned down years ago and its only a vacant lot now.

Gina, I am Sicilian. In 1964, my family drove to LA to visit my mother's aunt and uncle (non-Sicilian) who lived in Glendale, CA. (I grew up in West Allis, WI, a suburb of MKE.) While we were there, we ate supper at, someone's house who was affiliated with the Cockatoo Club, maybe it was a son of Andy Lacoco, but he took us to the club during the day to show it to us. He had a cockatoo at his home also. I was 12 years old at the time. We also visited an olive oil factory from which my father used to order our olive oil from time to time. (This is what I remember, not sure how accurate it is.)

My Father also Sicilian was Andy Lacoco's Best Friend. They were childhood friends from Milwaukee. My Father operated a trucking operation in Los Angeles and we lived in Northern California where he also had another type of trucking company. My dad would fly back and forth between the two places. Andy would send the Cockatoo limo to pick my Dad up from or take him to the LAx airport weekly. When the giant Tuna fishing boat was built in Green Bay, WI, my Dad was Andy's personal guest to sail with him on its maiden voyage through the Panama Canal to bring it to San Diego where it would operate. When the Cockatoo was sold, Andy sent my Dad home with some of the Beautiful Italian Clear and Red Crystal Stemware from the elegant dining room. We used it on Holidays and special occasions, as I still do to this day. It was a devastating time when Andy was investigated for Horse Race fixing. He served a short time at Lompoc, where he had the run of the place, I was told. He had a stroke at Thanksgiving dinner a short time later. Andy wasn't as handsome as my Father, he was kind of coarse looking, but he had a huge powerful presence about him and a heart of gold for those he loved.

I stayed at the Cockatoo several times in early 90's on business trips. The neighborhood was scary. You would not want to go walking around at night. From the pictures in the lobby, the hotel was at one time popular with celebrities. The wood paneling in the lobby and restaurant was impressive. The beds were old and mattresses were lumpy. The free breakfast was excellent. It didn't hurt that the weekday rate was only $35 a night.

My Dad worked with Andy as well... during this time Frank Brown.... as a kid I remember rumors..

I remember driving by it in the late 90's, hoping it would reopen, especially after Jackie Brown movie, too bad it never turned around, I wou have loved going in there, love the feel of vintage lounges -dim lit & vinyl

My father knew Andy. My father furnished the hotel. My dad said that Andy had camera's in the kitchen so he could keep an eye and what was going on. They had the best fried shrimp ever. My dad also had his Christmas parties for his employees and their wives there. Judy

After WWII the Northrop manufactured F-89s, F-5s, T-38s and Snark missiles at this site and it is still occupied by a small force of Northrop Grumman Aviation employees. Also, Vought manufactures Boeing 747 fuselages and aft panes for the Boeing 767 at this location.

I had my wedding reception there in 1962. My dad was a friend of Andy's and they used to hunt together.

Hometown of the Beach Boys!

I worked at the restaurant of the hotel in 1968. I encountered Andy Lococo several times. Everybody was scared of him, I still remember his eyes. They were cold as ice. I was so nervous that once I spilled water on a customer one night. A few days later he came in and said hello to me. He had never done this with anyone before. My fellow workers knew that something was wrong. He asked his manager to fire me the same evening. It's the mafia style to be nice to someone before you wacked him.

Could be the key to getting us into space from American soil again.

I remember this place when I was young, there was always rumors of the mob there. I was too young to know better so I guess they thought I wasn't a threat, although it was very neat to drive by(on a bicycle). Still remember Tommy's burgers(in between Chervon and the junk yard). Anyway sorry to hear the cockatoo was torn down. Back then everything was interesting and at least I have some memories, I live in Albuquerque New Mexico now and I have enough fire power to protect me, but I don't have enough to go home. Oh well what the heck.

Sorry,i meant Northrop.

This location is also the site of the old Northrup aircraft plant.

Spambot add. At least it's in the right place.

It's Tomboy's, not Fatburger