Paul Cummins started in the food business early in life. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa teen had a hot dog and ice cream stand, washed dishes and waited on tables to earn his way through college at the University of Iowa and later, Northwestern University where he graduated with honors.

Always the go-getter, the young Cummins got into soybean processing in the early '50s and amassed his fortune in this industry and petroleum. He soon after added restaurateur to his list of business ventures and began opening restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area.

The Huddle chain, The Sports Page, The Gay 90s and The Roaring 20s were the legacy of this self-made entrepreneur whose original ideas and vision spawned some of the most intriguing and enjoyable dining and entertainment venues L.A. has ever enjoyed. Unfortunately these establishments are long-gone, but I hope this web site will help to preserve their story because the memories of these restaurants are as classic as a 1950's Ford or any rare car parts you find today.

My fascination with Googie architecture began at an early age when I first saw the Huddle's West Covina location when it sat empty in the early 70s. Decades later I started "Photos of the Forgotten" as a place to remember vanishing California architecture and it's culture. In some of these photos

you really get the feel of vintage California; a time when classic cars like Fords and fashion included Poodle skirts.

I would like to thank the Cummins family for sharing their family history and these wonderful images with us all. Click on any of the restaurant logos to the left for more images and information.

-V. Stapf