Cook's Corner

Cook's Corner

Cook's Corner is a Southern California bar built in 1884 that is popular with motorcyclists.^[1] It is located near Silverado in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, California.

History

The building is named for Andrew Jackson Cook, a merchant who acquired 190 acres (0.77 km²) of land in the South Orange County area. The building was constructed not long after, in 1884. In 1926, Cook's son, Earl Jack "E.J." Cook, converted the structure into a restaurant meant to supply food to miners and local ranchers. Seven years later, after the end of the Prohibition period, alcohol began being sold again, and Cook's was converted into a bar. A Santa Ana, California motorcycle accessories owner purchased the building in 1970, and publicized it further, making it one of the more famous social places for motorcycle owners.

Cook's today

Today's Cook's Corner is a wooden structure similar to a World War II-era restaurant and bar. The property includes a pool table, outdoor recreational area for horseshoe games, as well as trails for mountain biking and hiking. The majority of bikers come to Cook's Corner on the weekends, when Cook's hosts a number of events, mainly dealing with motorcycles, including the "CHOC ride of 2006," and the "9/11 Remembrance ride." On the first Sunday of May each year, ^[2] about 2,000 come for the annual Blessing of the Bikes given by a priest of nearby St. Michael's Abbey. ^[3] In May 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made a stop in Orange County, and ate at Cook's Corner. During the California wildfires of October 2007, newscasters reporting on the Santiago Fire ate lunch at Cook's Corner, as well as firefighters working to control the blaze.

In May 2008, a small-scale landslide destroyed a large section of the famous outdoor patio. ABC 7 and NBC 4 were among some of the news teams that broadcasted the event. Damages were somewhat minor, and the repairs took just a few days

Notes

1. ^ Yi, Daniel (February 27, 2005), "Face-lift for vintage biker bar; Past meets future as new owners spiff up canyon landmark", Los Angeles Times 
2. ^ Biker Wear, 2 Jan 2010.
3. ^ OC Register, 2 Jan 2010.

References

• Berkman, Leslie (6 May 1991), "Ritzy Riders Rubs, Or Rich Urban Bikers, Mount Their Harleys Dressed In Designer Jeans Instead Of Black Leather", Los Angeles Times: 1 
• Berkman, Leslie (10 November 1991), "New Class Of Harley Fans 'Rubs' Bikers The Wrong Way", Chicago Sun-Times: 53 
• Earnest, Leslie (17 September 1993), "Laguna Beach Noise Is Rub, 'Rubbies' Are Told", Los Angeles Times: 2 
• Hall, Landon (10 June 2010), "Winding Journey; An Inherited Spirit Moves A Lake Forest Bartender To Circle The Continental U.S. On Her Harley", Orange County Register 
• Hinch, Robin (3 November 2006), "A Life Story: Motorcyclist Died Doing What She Loved", Orange County Register: 1 
• Larsen, Peter (22 January 2011), "TV show to audition biker foodies in O.C.", Orange County Register 
• Martelle, Scott (22 August 1999), "It Meets Canyon Code; But For Cook's Corner, Built In '46, County Rules Are Another Matter", Los Angeles Times: 1 
• Ritchie, Erika I (17 September 2010), "1,000-Plus Bikers Rumble Through Orange County For 9/11 Ride", Orange County Register 
• Ritchie, Erika I (17 December 2010), "Santa Roars In On Harley At Cook's Corner", Orange County Register 
• Venegas, Ana (19 July 2010), "Cruising For A Cause; The Ladies Who Ride Fundraiser Benefits A Breast Cancer Charity", Orange County Register 
• Webb, Claire (11 September 2010), "Organizer Expects 9/11 Memorial Riders To Follow Traffic Rules; Disagreement Arose After One Participant Held Traffic At An Intersection Last Year", Orange County Register 

External links

• Cook's Corner's website

Coordinates: 33°41′02″N 117°37′13″W / 33.683835°N 117.620387°W / 33.683835; -117.620387