Fender’s Radio Service

Ellingson, Inc., is the current occupant of this small commercial building on Harbor Blvd. in Fullerton. It was built in 1911 by newspaper owner/editor Edgar Johnson who sold it to Edgar Johnson in 1931. From 1944 to 1951, it was Fender’s Radio Service, Leo Fender’s retail store. The world-renowned line of Fender guitars and amps had its start here in 1945. The mural in back, titled “With a Little Help From My Friends” created by Katherine England, is an homage to the instrument that, arguably, changed the music scene forever. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and a City of Fullerton Local Landmark.

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Fullerton, Orange County
Images by Andrew Schmidt