1955 - 1965
As Broadway Glass nears its 70th anniversary, we want to take some time to celebrate by reflecting on each decade of our journey and sharing it with all of you.
The DeWolf’s 1st decade, from 1955 to 1965, was spent building a foundation that would come to shape Broadway Glass into what it is today.
Read below some highlights of our first 10 years in business as told by Ron DeWolf
September 1, 1955
Grandmother and Papa DeWolf purchased a small auto glass company and building from their cousin Walt Padelford who had owned and run it since 1944. The 2523 E. Broadway location in Long Beach still remains our showroom and retail location today in 2025.
In the beginning, Broadway Glass focused primarily on auto glass, offering cut, polished and laminated glass to install in vehicles. At the time, they were known for carrying one of the most comprehensive stocks of auto glass inventory and patterns in Southern California.
1959 – 1962
With the business growing and doing well, The DeWolf’s added a back warehouse and cinder block garages behind the building at 2523 E Broadway to accommodate their expanding workload. It was in these years that my sister Denise and I (Ron) were born Denise in ‘59 and me in ‘62; during this time our dad would come to the shop and help make deliveries during his lunch hour.
1963
Continued growth and success led our grandparents to tear down the original Cal Bungalow behind the shop. In its place, they built a larger warehouse (still standing today) and added a residence on the second floor. During this transformation, it was essential to preserve the front showroom and storefront, complete with the symbolic Broadway Glass neon sign. That sign remains proudly displayed and fully operational to this day. Anyone who has lived in Long Beach over the past 70 years recognizes that iconic sign.
1964-1965
This year dad began working with Grandmother and Papa full time and focused on further developing the residential glass services.
Keep up with us each month to learn something new about our growth and development throughout the last 70 years!
