I know things have been quiet for awhile, and you’re about to find out why! First, Patrick and I have been spending a great deal of our time volunteering for the Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade. Long time readers of the blog are familiar with Anaheim’s unique 100 year old tradition.
Every so often I look online to see if I can find any vintage relics of our beloved event. This year, I scored! In the past trophies were awarded for float entries, talent contest, beauty contest, and more. Trophies were also given to Grand Marshals. I’ve seen a handful over the years, including the Muzeo, Walt Disney’s office at the Studio, and one owned by artists Kevin and Jody.
Sometimes the parade had themes, and in 1952 the American west was a theme. A member of the parade committee had traveled through the southwest and purchased several kachina dolls, deciding they would make a unique and fitting topper for trophies.
I knew the chances of coming across a trophy were slim, but I figured I might as well try, and I found one! While small, and not as grand as the ones Walt was awarded, or as unique as the one Kevin and Jody have, I really am quite fond of the one I found!
In my excitement to show fellow volunteers at our top secret parade warehouse, I was looking at my phone to show the eBay listing to them, and wasn’t looking where I was walking, and tripped over a power cord, landing awkwardly on my right foot. I spent the rest of our work day at the warehouse with my foot raised and iced, as it began to swell slightly. Eventually I went to a nearby urgent care to have it checked out. Thankfully it isn’t broken or fractured, just sprained. However it hurt enough that we decided to postpone our trip to Tennessee.
As I nursed my foot, my prized eBay purchase made the short distance from Cypress to Anaheim. It arrived and I took a gander at the underside of the bakelite base to see “Dodge Inc” on the bottom, that got me digging!
Dodge Inc. was formed by Ray Edgar Dodge, born August 4, 1900 in Woodburn, Oregon. His father managed the Dodge Department Store in my hometown of Eugene. Later Ray attended my rival, Oregon State University, graduating in 1924. Upon graduating, he qualified for the US Track Team, where he competed in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris.
Ray moved to Chicago in 1927 and created Dodge & Ascher with Veron Ascher, where they made class rings. Eventually trophies caught Ray’s eye, and he sold his interest in Dodge & Ascher, and established his trophy company, Dodge Inc., with locations in both Illinois and California. By the late 1930s Dodge Inc. was the largest trophy manufacturer in the world. But as the US entered World War II, some plants transitioned to make parts to aid in the war effort. Garnering attention as a leader in trophies, Dodge Inc. worked with Southern California Trophy Inc. to make the most coveted award in the entertainment business, the Oscar. In 1949 they began making another entertainment award, the Emmy. What exactly became of Dodge Inc. trophies I didn’t uncover, but Ray passed away in 1985.
I am thrilled to add such a unique piece to our Halloween decor, as we continue to put the finishing touches on the house, so stay tuned for our annual look at our home!
Image Sources
Images 1 & 3: Courtesy of Kevin & Jody
Image 2 & 4: Taken by me
Sources
“Ray E. Dodge; Oscar Manufacturer” March 31, 1985, Los Angeles Times.
“Ray Edgar Dodge” Dodge Family.