Hello, We were lucky as teenagers. The City of Long Beach and the local school district somehow built several teenage hangouts in the various areas for different teens in the 4 different high schools. Ours was called the “Hutch.” Here is a great definition of why our high school mascot, the “Jackrabbit” teen hangout was called the Hutch: “…they need a large hutch which is safe from predators…” The predators being older folks taking advantage of the teens and other schools to keep to themselves in their own high school area. We had friends we met from other high schools, but could never invite them to ‘the Hutch.” They had their own place to hang out with other students from their own high schools. Even after the "big game" nights, the rivalry stayed on the playing fields and then we all went to our "safe haven" gathering spots provided for each different high schools. The center attraction was a huge concrete dance floor and an elevated stage for rock band performances. The Pyramids… the early 60s band that was somewhat famous students at Poly H.S. But, when the bands were not playing after the Friday night sports games, the big attraction were the free plays on the giant jukebox. If one were to meet someone in the afternoon, after school at the Hutch, the jukebox was always playing. When the Friday night activities were starting, the juke box was the main source of music for all teens in the huge center. Pool tables, Ping Pong areas, snack bar, and yes, an outdoor area that was a refreshing place in the cool of night. But, most used it for a smoking hangout. If an adult came to the doors, the cigarettes went flying over the wall to the parking lot. Ha! Jnaki It was a safe place every day. Even in the summer afternoons when it was hot outside, a nice cool concrete floor kept the whole place rather cool in temperature and created a great place to hang out. For everyone, we all liked the bands playing after the sports games on Friday nights. But, the other days and nights, we all knew the rock/roll music was going to be loud to booming across the dance floor, due to the old Jukebox, even after school and as the summer haven for everyone…YRMV
The Jalopy Journal
