Downey California Mugs

Flag of Downey, California

Downey Records was an American record label owned by Bill Wetzel (July 26, 1912 – November 20, 1999) in Downey, California, and distributed at times by Dot Records. Wetzel worked as a sound engineer for MGM studios and in 1958, opened Wetzel's Music Town in Downey, California. In 1959, he began the Jack Bee label which he eventually turned into the Downey label with a studio in the back of the record store.

The artwork illustrates the Downey skyline with a black ink drawing. The drawing highlights its history in the state of California, USA.

Whether you are from Apollo, Appleby, Brookmill, Calvary Park Regency, Cheddar, Coldbrook or anyone of Downey's great locations this is the design for you! Featuring bright colors to give you that seventies eighties vibe.

Downey is a post-World War II suburb in the Southeast Los Angeles region. It's the birthplace of Denny's and home to the oldest McDonald's in operation. I drew this map around 2010.

Original Edit by SABRE of Public Domain image

Southeast Los Angeles County -- or just "Southeast Los Angeles" -- refers to a cluster of gateway cities and unincorporated suburbs located between South Los Angeles's Eastside, the San Gabriel Valley, and North Orange County. I wrote a primer of the region, for my series "California Fool's Gold," in 2009 and drew an earlier version of the map at that time. This one was completed a short time after. https://ericbrightwell.com/2009/04/28/california-fools-gold-a-southeast-los-angeles-primer/

Tom Waits

Vintage Long Beach, CA

Vintage Norwalk, CA

Downey got their start back in 1970 when a dealer parts manager and Landcruiser enthusiast named Jim began selling aftermarket off-road accessories and performance goodies out of the parts department at the Downey 'yota dealership. In 1975, the association with the dealership ended when Jim bought the accessory business from Downey, calling it Downey Off Road Manufacturing. Downey was now not just stocking aftermarket parts, but manufacturing their own. From suspension systems and rock armor, to engine swap adapters and exhaust systems, they had it all and their catalog became the wish book for 'yota owners everywhere. When the 4WD pickup models came to the states, Downey Off Road Manufacturing grew exponentially.

www.jswolfphotography.com