Simpson'S Garden Town Nursery was started in 1928 by Hal Simpson in Pasadena, California under the original name of "Simpson'S House of Service". With only an eighth grade education and a co-signed note for $500.00 Hal started his small business later to become known as "The largest, most diversified garden center in five western states". During the difficult beginnings his friends told him he was "too far out, be broke in sixty days and back looking for a job". Hal did have a couple of part time jobs, as a Sunday School bus driver and at nights at a gas station. He and his wife Helen also ran a side business, "Sierra Hatcheries", to make ends meet. One of the first entries in the company checkbook shows a check drawn for $55 to purchase a used model "T" delivery truck. The nursery grew and prospered until the outbreak of World War II, which caused profound changes in the nursery and Simpson family.
With most Americans leaving their civilian jobs to work in the war effort, Hal was left with only a few employees. This brought the need to change the name of the business from "Simpson'S House of Service" to the present "Simpson'S Garden Town Nursery". The other, more personal change would be the beginning of a life-long friendship. Hal did business with the Yamane nursery family. Even though they were American citizens of Japanese decent, they like many others were forced to live in an internment camp in Arizona. On a handshake, Hal ran their nursery while they were gone. At the end of the war Hal returned the business to the family. Because of the deep respect between the two families, the friendship is still alive even today.
After the war Simpson'S Garden Town grew dramatically; with over 70 trucks, 47 telephone lines, an F.T.D. florist shop, full landscape department, lawn mower, pet shop, and several other outlets. The small business that was once at the end of the road, now called Colorado Boulevard, home of the yearly "Rose Parade". Tragedy struck in November of 1959 when a four alarm fire broke out, destroying the nursery buildings and supplies. Though most of the records and charge receipts were gone, customers came forward to pay their accounts and suppliers helped out by restocking. In 1968, the State of California , in the name of progress took most of the nursery property to build the 210 freeway. With the money from the freeway sale, Hal bought the 185 acre "Barrett House Ranch" in Jamul. Hal had considered retiring, but his heart told him to continue growing plants. He regenerated Simpson'S Garden Town Nursery on a portion of the ranch in Jamul. This time in a style suitable to the area, there were no phone, no salesmen, no deliveries...just good plants stock at a reasonable price.
Today the nursery has expanded to include Gift Shops, Pottery, all varieties of seasonal color, Herbs, Grasses, along with many new introductions for the interested gardener. And for the vintage car enthusiast there are large barns with over 50 antique vehicles to view, for free. The nursery is owned and operated by Hal Simpson's Granddaughter Cathy and her husband Lee. Their sons are learning the business when not attending school. So come on out, take a short ride to the country. We hope to see you here. http://www.simpsonsnursery.com/ http://www.socalcarculture.com
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