Here are some images left over from a recent column about Stockton’s byegone tiki Mecca, The Islander.
Here’s architect Warren Wong’s rendering of the building.
And here again is what was built.
Wong was pleased with the building. But he was sorry the owners didn’t build the totem pole.
The column was about the discovery of the “moai head” so prominent in the rendering and visible in the postcard. Here’s that guy, found presiding over a north Stockton back yard.
A true tiki biff would kill for such an item. The irony is that the guy who ended up with it, Sam Austin, isn’t a tiki fan. The moai is just a glorified lawn gnome to him.
Here are some other coveted Islander artifacts.
Islander ash trays and matchbooks – back when you could smoke at restaurants …
An Islander menu, held here by Ripon tiki head Coleen McCullough …
Islander mugs ….
Islander decor items …
And albums by Frankie Fanelli, The Islander’s most popular entertainer. When he came through on his circuit, which included Vegas lounges and the “Herpes Triangle” in Sacramento, the Islander’s marquee would proclaim, “The King is back!”
